A pair of high-profile honorees are set to take the stage this year at the 48th anniversary Vanguard Awards: WME-IMG co-CEO Ariel Emanuel and former Barack Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett.
The event, a marquee fundraiser for the Los Angeles LGBT Center, is set to take place Sept. 23 at the Beverly Hilton with American Airlines on board as title sponsor. More than 1,200 guests are expected, with a list pulled from civic, corporate, entertainment and philanthropic communities.
The event is being co-chaired by LGBT Center board members Tess Ayers, LuAnn Boylan, Michael Lombardo and Brad Ong along with longtime supporter Kathy Kloves. Emanuel and Jarrett join a roster of previous Vanguard honorees that includes Miley Cyrus, Jane Fonda, Elton John, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Lily Tomlin and Ron Nyswaner. Tickets are on sale now.
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Emanuel and his co-CEO Patrick Whitesell have made giving back a core value of WME-IMG culture, which is driven by Emanuel’s lifelong commitment to volunteerism and activism inspired by his parents. He led a session with client Charlize Theron at the company’s recent Walk the Walk initiative, while Whitesell helped as well, volunteering his time at Whaley Middle School in Compton, Calif.
Jarrett was the longest serving senior advisor to Obama during his administration. She was said to be key in helping coordinate the advancement of LGBT equality during his eight-year term. She also led the Obama administration’s efforts to expand and strengthen access to the middle class and boost American businesses and the economy.
