By Shirley Hawkins
Contributing Writer
LONG BEACH — Television Judge Mablean Ephriam will once again host the annual Honoring Unsung Fathers awards and scholarship brunch on Father’s Day, June 16, at the Hilton Hotel from noon to 5 p.m.
For the 26th year, Ephriam will honor men who have demonstrated outstanding service to their families and their communities while raising money for deserving high school students to further their education.
The Mablean Ephriam Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build stronger families, educate minds and financially empower the residents of underserved, underprivileged, impoverished inner-city communities in Los Angeles County.
Fathers, who are nominated by wives, children, parents and colleagues, will receive awards in five categories: the Single Father (Solo Warrior), the Married Father (Love Cares), the Divorced Father (Fatherhood Forever), the non-biological father (Village Dad) and the role model elderly father (Living Legacy).
The event will be hosted by comedian George Wallace and the honorary co-chair will be retired Judge Craig Strong of the Wayne County (Michigan) Circuit Court.
The event will include a red carpet ceremony, featuring celebrity presenters (Faith Evans, Renee Lawless, Wendell James) and performers. Jazz saxophonist Michael Phillips, jazz vocalist Elaine Gibbs, and Grammy-winning gospel artist Donnie McClurkin who will serve as musical director and provide the vocal entertainment.
Award honorees will include Greg Dulan, who will receive the Founders Award, Justin Castillo, founder and CEO of Javelin Advisory who will receive the Director’s Award and Deborah Bright-Laney, who will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to provide college scholarships to 2024 high school graduates from the inner city who have excelled in their academic pursuits but who need financial assistance to continue their education.
“We are excited to honor fathers and provide opportunities for students to attend college,” Ephriam said. “The HUF Awards is a celebration of fatherhood and education, and we are proud to continue this tradition.”
Ephriam, who is the host of the nationally syndicated television show “Justice with Judge Mablean,” said the public is invited to participate in the red carpet ceremony that starts at noon.
For more information, register at www.HUFAwards.org, or call 323-445-6669.
Shirley Hawkins is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers. She can be reached at metropressnews@gmail.com.
