The Los Angeles LGBT Center announced today that Co-CEO of WME | IMG Ariel Emanuel and Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor for the Obama Administration, will be honored at its 48th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards on Sat., Sept. 23, at The Beverly Hilton. American Airlines is the event’s title sponsor.
This year’s star-studded, Hollywood-meets-the-Beltway evening will bring together more than 1,200 leaders from the civic, corporate, entertainment, and philanthropic communities to celebrate this year’s inspirational honorees for their unwavering support of the LGBT community and their dedication to creating positive change in the world. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, and entertainment, along with a not-to-be-missed silent auction that includes high-end items, packages, and experiences.
Tickets are now on sale at lalgbtcenter.org/gala. For the latest event news and information, follow @lalgbtcenter on social media and join the conversation using #VanguardAwards.
Emanuel and Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell have prioritized philanthropy as an integral part of WME | IMG’s corporate culture, a charge driven by Emanuel’s lifelong commitment to volunteerism and activism that was inspired from an early age by his parents’ deep involvement in pushing for solutions to social problems. After co-founding Endeavor in 1995, Emanuel and Whitesell orchestrated the largest talent agency merger in history in 2009 when they partnered with William Morris to form WME, which represents artists and experts across the book, digital media, film, food, music, television and theater industries. In 2012, Emanuel and Whitesell forged a strategic partnership with Silver Lake. Two years later, WME and Silver Lake acquired IMG, the premier sports, events, fashion, and media company.
Jarrett was the longest serving senior advisor to President Barack Obama and was instrumental in helping coordinate the advancement of LGBT equality under eight years of the Obama administration. She worked throughout her tenure at the White House to mobilize elected officials, business and community leaders, and diverse groups of advocates to champion the creation of equality and opportunity for all Americans, and economically and politically empowering women in the United States and around the world. She also led the Obama administration’s efforts to expand and strengthen access to the middle class, and boost American businesses and our economy.
The event is co-chaired by Center board members Tess Ayers, LuAnn Boylan, Michael Lombardo, and Brad Ong and longtime Center supporter Kathy Kloves. Previous honorees include Miley Cyrus, Jane Fonda, Elton John, George and Brad Takei, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita, Wanda Sykes, and Lily Tomlin.
2017 Title Sponsor: American Airlines; Diamond Sponsor: Wells Fargo; Gold sponsors: Comcast NBCUniversal, Gilead Sciences, Pauley Perrette, and US Bank; Silver sponsors: Gibson Dunn, Ralph’s, and Warner Bros.; Official Vodka Sponsor: Tito’s Handmade Vodka; and Media sponsors: The Advocate, Pride.com, and Variety.
