More than $50,000 was raised during the 61st annual Humanitarian Awards on Oct. 8 at the Reef. The money raised will support Confluence Rising (formerly CCEJ) programs for youth, including Building Bridges Camp and Restorative Youth Diversion.
In addition to honoring community members who lead change for equity and justice in the community, the day was also a red-letter day in the announcement of the group’s name change. Formerly known as the California Conference for Equality and Justice, its new name is “Confluence Rising.”
Confluence Rising Executive Director Reena Hajat Carroll and current, and past board members Drew Schneider, Desarie Gonzales, Dana Buchanan, Megan Kerr, Carol Hass, Gillian Medina, Aaron Boulding and Tiffany Brown. (Courtesy photo by Thad Jackson)
Honorees Paul Garman, Musical Theatre West executive director; Cynthia Terry, Musical Theatre West board president; Chuck Barnes; Reena Hajat Carroll, Confluence Rising exeecutive director; and Julie Meenan. (Courtesy photo by Thad Jackson)
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Confluence Rising Executive Director Reena Hajat Carroll and current, and past board members Drew Schneider, Desarie Gonzales, Dana Buchanan, Megan Kerr, Carol Hass, Gillian Medina, Aaron Boulding and Tiffany Brown. (Courtesy photo by Thad Jackson)
“Confluence Rising is seen as the moment when streams that once ran separately begin to converge, when different currents meet and rise together, carrying us all forward with greater strength,” board member Drew Schneider said. “It is a reminder that our differences are not barriers but sources of energy, that when we come together, we create something far more powerful than what any one of us could achieve alone. That is the work of this organization.”
Executive Director Reena Hajat Carroll acknowledged the history of the organization and said that “the work of Confluence Rising will mirror the activities of CCEJ and NCCJ: we will connect, educate and transform youth and adults to lead change for equity and justice.”
Honorees included philanthropic leader Julie Meenan, who received the Humanitarian Award for her decades of support for the nonprofit community through her work with the Josephine Gumbiner Foundation and Long Beach Gives. The Gene Lentzner Human Relations Award was presented to Chuck Barnes, NCCJ Brotherhood Sisterhood Camp alum and adult volunteer with the Building Bridges Camp. The Building Bridges Award was presented to Musical Theatre West for its commitment to uplifting diverse voices in the arts and bringing theater to all corners of the community.
After the awards presentation, board and advisory committee members filled the stage as board Chair Megan Kerr announced the CCEJ name change to Confluence Rising. Executive Director Reena Hajat Carroll, joined by her predecessors Kimmy Maniquis and Wende Julien, unfurled a banner with the new name and logo to enthusiastic applause from the 150 attending.
Seen at the Scene: Jessie Needham, Reena Hajat Carroll, Chuck Barnes, Julie Meenan, Paul Garman, Cynthia Terry, Matt Guardabascio, Wende Julien, Kimmy Maniquis, Megan Kerr, Darick Simpson, Annette Kashiwabara and Marty Isozaki, Jill Rosenberg, Richard Brown, Jean Bixby Smith, Susan Stuhlbarg, Lynne Pillsbury, Paul Garman, Nancy Gaines, Ginny Baxter, Nina Patel, Sofia Riley, Cynthia Terry, Dana Buchanan, Drew Schneider, Desarie Gonzales, Carol Hass, Gillian Medina, Aaron Boulding and Tiffany Brown.
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