6th Annual Beloved Community Luncheon

Formerly the UCLA Bridge Builders Award, the C. Bernard Jackson UCLA Bridge Builders Award was first presented in 2022. UCLA, Inner City Cultural Center alumnus and DEIG, LLC founding partner Dr. Oscar Edwards introduced fellow compatriot Ernest Dillihay to Vusiszwe Azania, Co-Founder /Director of the Beloved Community Initiative, Dillihay presented the history and the origins of the Inner City Cultural Center to Azania. Recognizing the impact the contributions of UCLA alumnus Jackson and the Inner City Cultural Center had in the Los Angeles community demonstrating the Josiah Royce “Beloved Community” philosophy in action, Azania renamed the award in Jackson’s honor. In Azania’s words, “As we approach his [Jackson’s] centennial, the UCLA Beloved Community Initiative is committed to finding other ways to help steward the legacy of C. Bernard Jackson.” Edwards and Dillihay are on the UCLA Beloved Community Initiative Advisory Committee. The UCLA Beloved Community Initiative, The Los Angeles Inner City Cultural Center and the Diversity Equity Inclusion Group, LLC continues its support of one another advancing and helping each other’s story along.