Gwen Moore
California Legislative Reception 2024

The California African American Chamber of Commerce partnered with the California African American Action Fund to host the annual “Honorable Gwen Moore California Legislative Reception” on May 7 at the Sutter Club in downtown Sacramento.

The event brought together distinguished guests, including business leaders, state officials, and former and current lawmakers. Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) were notably in attendance. The keynote address was delivered by former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who is now 90. Former state Senator Roderick Wright and CAACC Executive Director Timothy Alan Simon served as emcees for the event.

During the reception, an award ceremony honored individuals for their achievements, innovative ideas, leadership, business acumen, and political contributions. The CAACC Media and Communications Award was presented to Civil Rights Activist Danny Bakewell Jr., President of the Bakewell Company and Executive Editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel. The Gwen Moore Legislative Impact Award was given to Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the CLBC. Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) received the Legislator of the Year honor. Cathy Adams, President and CEO of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, was presented with the Aubry Stone Outstanding Business Award. The Trailblazer Award was posthumously awarded to Linda Crayton, former San Francisco City Commissioner.

Other leaders honored included John Reynolds of the California Public Utilities Commission, who received the Distinguished Service Award; Hon. Heather Hutt, Councilmember for the City of Los Angeles, representing Council District 10, who was recognized with the Distinguished Service in the African American Community Award; and Thurman White, Senior Advisor at ESO Ventures, who received the Distinguished Recognition Award.

Special guests and awardees also included Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), CLBC Vice Chair; Dennis Thurston, Supplier Diversity Program Manager for Southern California Edison; Angela Gibson-Shaw, President of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce; and Tommy Ross of Pinnacle Strategic Group. Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA), also attended the two-hour event.