By Alex Banx
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 03/27/2023 — With so many events and so much going on in the news our triumphs often get pushed aside.
Being pushed aside, dismissed, and hidden are experiences Black Women and girls experience daily.
But not today. Not yesterday or tomorrow. Not here.
The Hollywood Times was proud to attend Saturday’s Black Business Association’s 20th Salute to Black Women, in recognition of the Women’s History Month.
“Celebrating 20 Years of Women Who Tell Our Stories”
The Business Conference, Vendor Faire, and Award Luncheon gathered women and allies on March 25, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency LAX.
This year’s 20th Salute honored eight women including the City of Los Angeles’ first female mayor, Karen Bass, CA-37 Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Cynthia E. Exum (Author & Founder of the Leimert Park Village Book Fair), and our beloved former NBC4 News Anchor, Beverly White.
Crowds of beautifully joyous people filled the mezzanine dressed in their Sunday’s best. Bold purples, stunning silvers, and flowing fabrics. This was indeed a celebration.
As flickering flash bulbs filled the west wing, we stood eagerly excited to see who would make their way to the red carpet.
Kim Coles was a wonderful surprise.
The BBA’s annual salute to Black women serves to inspire, educate, and motivate attendees. Hundreds of women come from near and far, entrepreneurs, executives, community leaders, journalists, elected officials, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and friends for high-level networking and story sharing.
One of those women is Lura. Sadly, the crowd was so dense earlier during the vendor fair and I missed out on picking up one of Lura’s cookies. Lura baked a batch for the event, but according to Lura, the batter is what matters. Lura told us her Old Fashion Tea Cakes and the Chocolate Chip Pecan cookies are her most popular mixes. Packages of Lura’s batter were available for purchase, but they were also being raffled to guests and given to award recipients. No one at our table won but I will be purchasing a bag or two through Lura’s website @luraskitchen.com
Next time you’re at a BBA Salute to Black Woman, you might be tempted to grab a Kamala Harris or Michelle Obama clutch designed by Catherine Taylor, founder of Fashion on Wheels, one of the other 16 vendors that were present for the BBA’s 20th Salute Black Women.
Noon struck as we made our way into the banquet hall.
Under the oddly dark stage lights, the ceremony began.
For 20 years, the BBA has recognized Black women show up!
As do Black men. Skip Cooper came to the stage to rejoice in gratitude, “Black women are innovators. Black women lift everyone up. Black women are leaders and the backbone of the US. Black women are strengthening this country.” The crowd agreed.
This past February, after 46 years as the BBA President, Skip Cooper, announced his retirement passing the torch to the BBA’s first female president, Sarah R. Harris.
BBA President and CEO, Sarah R. Harris, presented the first award to Mayor Karen Bass. The mayor was unable to be there, but she sent in her acceptance video thanking Black business owners for closing the poverty wage gap and creating generational wealth. Up next was Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove who was also not able to attend. She sent a video. Beverly White has since moved to Florida. Another video. Cynthia E. Exum was present and graciously accepted her award.
Near the back of the auditorium, the chatter and groans began to dissolve as severs set out chocolatey deserts accompanied by a special performance by famed electric violinist, Lila Hood, strumming and dancing between the tables and chairs as she made her way to front.
The remaining award honorees accepted their awards, and the celebration will forever live on!
See you next you year, BBA LA.
For more information, visit BBALA.org