The Liberty Hill Foundation will present author Walter Mosley with the Upton Sinclair Award at its 28th Annual Gala Dinner on May 20, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.
The Upton Sinclair Award is given annually to a person whose life-long crusade for equality and justice continues to inspire. As one of the most prolific writers of our time, Mosley’s literary accomplishments and candid approach to race relations in America have made a lasting impression on our nation’s political landscape. Throughout his decades-long writing career, Mosley has authored more than 33 books, with his Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins mysteries among his most popular. Set in post-World War II, inner-city Los Angeles, these novels depict Rawlins, a black war veteran reluctantly pulled into detective work, contending with the challenges of a segregated and racially tumultuous world.
The honorary host committee for the event includes Danny Glover, Laurence Fishburne, Alfre Woodard, Jennifer Beals, Hill Harper, Diane Warren and many others.
Liberty Hill CEO Kafi Blumenfield states, “We are thrilled that Mr. Mosley accepted our request to be honored this year. He has powerfully tackled such monumental events in Los Angeles like the Watts riots in his work and eloquently created an authentic picture of the social injustice being faced by African-Americans in our complicated city.”
Mosley’s bold commentary on the civil unrest in Los Angeles over the years describes the world that Liberty Hill endeavors to alter by empowering local leaders with the skills and funding to bring about lasting change in their communities. Like Upton Sinclair, Mosley says he writes “to inspire thought about society” and that he has “lots of hope in the potential for great change. We could really make a beautiful world. I’m a vessel, I guess, for getting people to think about what is possible.” Mosley is honored to be receiving the award from an organization like Liberty Hill.
Liberty Hill advances movements for social change through a unique combination of grants, leadership training and alliance building.
The Upton Sinclair dinner will also honor the entertainment and social philanthropy powerhouse couple Liz Heller & John Manulis, as well as the East Los Angeles-based social justice organization InnerCity Struggle.
For information on sponsorship and tickets please visit libertyhill.org/dinner or call Kristin Aldana-Taday at 310-453-3611.
