BLACK LEGACY OF GIVING RECEPTION
February 6, 2006
Friars Club of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles

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BLACK PHILANTHROPISTS SHINE IN TINSELTOWN

Inspired by the work of 21CF’s Los Angeles-based Host Committee, the Black Legacy of Giving reception was held on Monday, February 6, 2006 during Grammy’s week at the legendary Friars Club of Beverly Hills. The goal of the reception was to raise 21CF’s national profile and inspire new levels of Black philanthropy. This exclusive invitation-only event gave a select group of 100 influential Black leaders the opportunity to network while celebrating Los Angeles Black leadership in style.

Members of the Host Committee reflected who’s who of LA’s Black leaders in entertainment, banking, and law. Included were Paul Hudson, President and C.E.O. of Broadway Federal Bank, one of the oldest and most respected Black-owned banks in the country; Brenda Doby, Vice President & Manager of Union Bank California, Virgil Roberts, Partner, Bobbitt and Roberts, a leading entertainment law firm; and Jeannie Weems, Senior Vice President, ASCAP, the largest music publishing rights organization in the country.

Honored at the reception were three Black philanthropists who have made significant contributions in improving the quality of education, the arts, and health care.

Robert “Bob” Davidson is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Surface Protection Industries, one of the leading African American-owned manufacturing companies in California. Bob and his wife Faye are passionate advocates for education. Bob is serving as Vice Chairman of his alma mater, Morehouse College, and on the boards of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business Advisory Council (where he received his MBA), and the Art Center of the College of Design in Pasadena, California. Bob has also served on a host of corporate and professional boards. Morehouse College honored him in 1998 by naming its executive center, Davidson House.

Bernard and Shirley Kinsey are one of the most admired and respected couples in Los Angeles, and have leveraged that goodwill in a variety of philanthropic endeavors. Their 35-year marriage began as college sweethearts at Florida A&M University and they have personally contributed or leveraged over $350,000 to the school. The Kinseys also helped raised an additional $9 million in donations. Mr. Kinsey also raised over $7 million dollars as the campaign chair of the United Way and helped generate more than $350 million as co-Chairman of the Rebuild Los Angeles Committee. But the Kinseys may be best known for their collection of 19th and 20th Century American art, one of the most formidable African art private collection in the west coast.

Erin Stennis created the Stennis Family Foundation after her husband and foundation co-founder, Michael, was diagnosed with Stage Four colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, Michael lost his battle with cancer. However, the foundation remains committed to providing educational outreach to the African American community through hundreds of lectures and community health presentations. It is a known fact that African Americans are more likely to die from colon cancer than any other ethnic group, and the Stennis Family Foundation continues the crusade Erin and Michael started together, speaking at local churches, health fairs and galvanizing others in educating the community

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