Newspaper - Los Angeles Sentinel

(Los Angeles, CA) – In the quiet elegance of the Beverly Hills Hilton’s International Ballroom, history was made on Friday, November 3 when Charisse Bremond Weaver, president and CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade presented Paula Madison, president and general manager of NBC4, with the 2006 Walter Bremond Pioneer of African American Achievement Award. Madison was the first woman to be honored in the 21st century and Bremond is the first woman to be president of the Brotherhood Crusade since its inception in 1968. Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. assisted Bremond in presenting the prestigious award to Madison.

Madison was chosen for her role as a pioneer and an inspiration to young people of color since she is the first African American woman to become general manager at a network-owned station in a top five market. Bremond described her as “a woman of substance who eagerly looks for ways to open doors for people of color.” She and her husband were surrounded by well wishers, friends, community activists and her peers from KNBC.

The Dramatics, one of the most prolific, and consistently entertaining groups of the last three decades, provided entertainment for the event. They lived up to their name with an outstanding repertoire spanning their long and distinguished career.

Furnell Chatman, the co-anchor of KNBC weekend news, and who referred to Madison as his boss, was the master of ceremonies. He was the first African American to be hired as a television news reporter in Louisiana and he generously provides his services to the Brotherhood Crusade annually.

Over seven hundred guests, including Los Angeles Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Diane Watson, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Councilman Bernard Parks, Councilwoman Jan Perry, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, Secretary of State Bruce Mc Pherson and other elected officials, attended the dinner award. Also on hand enjoying the festivities were the Brotherhood Crusade’s board members, including George Beaubian, Cliff Mc Clain, Bertha Bremond (Charisse’s mother), R.J. “Dave” Davidson, Dr. George Mc Kenna, and Lillian Mobley.

After brief introductory comments by the Mayor, Bremond welcome the guests and gave an overview of the Brotherhood Crusade up to the present, followed by a short film of its past, present and what’s ahead with her at the helm. Bakewell, the new chairman introduced the honoree followed by a short film about her. Madison’s gracious acceptance speech resonated with the Brotherhood Crusade’s motto -- Helping People, Help Themselves. She spoke eloquently of her nurturing childhood in Harlem, New York and her immigrant parents who sowed the seeds of success into her as a child. She was very proud of the generations who have since carried her parent’s legacy into the 21st century and implored the audience to give back and help others in need.

As an institution approaching its fortieth year, the Brotherhood Crusade has created lasting relationships and enduring partnerships with a family of sponsors that help the institution fulfill its mission of helping people help themselves. Most honorable mention of this tradition must go to the diamond sponsors: Bank of America, Ivie McNeill & Wyatt, Los Angeles Sentinel, KNBC 4, Northern Trust, Northrop Grumman, the Berry Gordy Family Foundation, Washington Mutual Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation

Paula Madison joined the likes of Brotherhood Crusade Chairman Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., Berry Gordy, Muhammad Ali, Quincy Jones, Tavis Smiley, and Rosa Parks, as the recipient of the 2006 Walter Bremond Pioneer of African American Award.

The event was one of the fundraising tools that Brotherhood Crusade uses to support and fund underserved communities in South Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. This year’s dinner raised $500,000 dollars.

The Brotherhood Crusade supports families and individuals by funding organizations, programs and projects that supply supportive services, economic development, health services and education programs. It also provides special programs in times of crisis that go on to become independent organizations such as the Brotherhood Business Development and Capital Fund, the African American Unity Center and Mothers In Action, as well as many others. A special acknowledgement is also extended to payroll deduction and individual donors who continuously support the Brotherhood Crusade.