Big Brothers Big Sisters Scholarship Luncheon Honors ABC’s Rebecca Campbell, Loyola Marymount University

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel was packed early Sunday afternoon for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) Accessories for Success Scholarship Luncheon, where ABC’s Rebecca Campbell was honored with the Excellence in Mentor Award and Stephen Ujlaki, dean of the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television, accepted the Innovator Award on behalf of the university. 

Each year, BBBSLA pairs children between the ages of 6 and 18 with mentors who professionally support and build relationships with them  for the chance of changing their lives for the better.

Campbell shared her experience with the program. “I went to The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast, and that’s when I discovered this amazing program, and I so wanted to be a mentor. It’s in our DNA to give back to the community and to serve our viewers in the community in which they live, and so for me, I really feel that it’s important. I’ve had terrific mentors in my life, with my parents, teachers, bosses, and so on and so forth, so to pay it forward is just so gratifying,” Campbell, president of ABC Owned Television Stations Group, told THR.

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The luncheon’s host, actress and model Amber Valletta, shared why she chooses to continue to host the event year after year. “Every human being deserves the opportunity and the chance for an education and have someone guiding them in life, and not all of us are fortunate in having that,” she said. “Big Brothers Big Sisters across the U.S. has done a phenomenal job providing mentorship for young people and helping them get to the next level in life, getting into college and then getting careers and jobs.”

BBBSLA’s luncheon presented 60 scholarships valued at more than $120,000 for graduating seniors pursuing higher education at schools including the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University.

The afternoon concluded with a fashion show where “Bigs” and their “Littles” shared the stage, showcasing their own personal styles as the audience clapped and cheered. 

The event raised more than $200,000 from donations. An additional 20 percent of the proceeds of sales from the boutique vendors prior to the luncheon will be donated to BBBSLA.

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