TruEvolution cordially invites you to our TruGala, an event to raise funds for our mission, honor special awardees, celebrate our services and impact, and inspire action for a bright future. Join us for a night that includes a cocktail reception, dinner, awards presentation, and a lively raise the paddle.
This year's theme of "Let Your Light Shine" is a celebration of the radiant energy, strength, and unity we bring to our community. The light we seek in this world is not external, but rather emanates from within each of us. Collectively, our inner glow, our individual auras, and the powerful way we shine together are what illuminate our mission and path forward!
We look forward to celebrating the light you bring to our community!
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Ticket Cost: $250.00
Location: The Beehive, 961 E. 61st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Parking: Parking space will be limited, and we strongly recommend using a rideshare service.
Dress code: Cocktail attire
Benjamin Carlton is a dynamic leader, actor, activist, and author of "I’m Black, I’m a Minister, and I’m Gay."
Co-founder of BMe Community, he champions Black empowerment and LGBTQ rights. His work has impacted millions, inspiring inclusion and positive change.
Dominique Morgan is a globally recognized artist and activist. As Director of the Fund for Trans Generations at Borealis Philanthropy, she leads the largest initiative for trans and non-binary individuals, raising $10M for
trans-led organizations.
Described by the LA TImes as one of LA's most influential Angelenos, Miguel A. Santana has more than three decades of expertise in government, nonprofit, private, philanthropy and the community sectors and is renowned as an advocate for systems change and making Southern California a more equitable place for all its residents, especially those who have been historically marginalized.
Santana was appointed in August of 2023 as President and CEO of the California Community Foundation (CCF), one of Southern California’s largest and most active philanthropic organizations, which has served Angelenos for more than a century. CCF stewards $2.3 billion in assets and manages more than 1,900 charitable foundations, funds, and legacies.
Previously, Santana severed as President & C.E.O. of the Weingart Foundation, which partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial, social, and economic justice. He also served as President and C.E.O. of Fairplex, a nonprofit community benefit regional organization based in Pomona, CA.
Santana was the City Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles, where he oversaw the City’s $9 billion budget and designed the City’s first comprehensive homeless strategy, resulting in a $1.2 billion voter-approved housing bond. Prior to joining the city, he served as one of five Deputy Chief Executive Officers for Los Angeles County, overseeing all social service programs supporting children, families, veterans, and persons experiencing homelessness.
Santana began his career as a community liaison at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), before working with L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina as her top deputy.
He engages in numerous civic efforts and is currently serving as Chair of The Angeleno Project. He also serves on numerous nonprofit boards, including the New York-based, Surdna Foundation. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Authority (LACAHSA), representing LA Mayor Karen Bass.
Santana earned his BA in Sociology and Latin American Studies from Whittier College and a MPA in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Torie Weiston-Serdan is a distinguished scholar, practitioner, and leader in youth mentoring with over two decades of experience. Her groundbreaking book, "Critical Mentoring: A Practical Guide," has become essential reading for equity-focused youth work. As Chief Visionary Officer of the Youth Mentoring Action Network and Education Equity Program Officer at the Inland Empire Community Foundation, she champions youth empowerment globally through mentoring, education, and wellness initiatives.
Weiston-Serdan's research focuses on mentoring programs for minoritized youth populations. Her impactful work has been featured in prominent publications like Forbes and Philanthropy Women.
A dedicated advocate, Weiston-Serdan serves on multiple boards, including MENTOR CA, Give Build Share, and the National Mentoring Resource Center. Her expertise in training mentors for diverse youth populations has established her as a pivotal figure in advancing equity-centered youth development practices worldwide.
Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C.
Gaynor leads theGrio's political team covering the White House, Capitol Hill, and national politics. As part of the White House press corps and presidential press pool, Gaynor provides the first on-the-ground reporting of the Biden-Harris administration for Black America, asking questions on behalf of Black and LGBTQ communities.
Gaynor has covered several historic moments at the White House, including the nomination and confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court; President Biden’s secured release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from Russian prison; the historic signing of the Respect for Marriage Act; the creation of the first White House Office on Gun Violence Prevention; and the historic state visit of Kenya President William Ruto, the first African leader to visit the White House in nearly two decades.
Gaynor also closely covered the historic vice presidency of Kamala Harris, from her official engagements at the White House on issues related to Black entrepreneurship, criminal justice reform, and reproductive rights. He has also traveled with Harris on Air Force Two during key engagements with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Notably, Gaynor’s work in Washington helped lead to theGrio becoming the first Black-owned digital news outlet to get a designated seat in the White House press briefing room. Gaynor has appeared on MSNBC’s “The Reidout” with Joy Reid, “Roland Martin Unfiltered,” Cheddar TV, Revolt Black News, and Fox Soul’s “The Tammi Mac Show.” During Pride Month 2021, Forbes recognized Gaynor as one of “10 Black LGBTQ+ Figures And Activists to Know.” He was also recognized as a Power 50 honoree by the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA). As a Black, queer journalist, Gaynor understands the power of diversity and visibility, which is why he counts it as a privilege to represent Black and LGBTQ+ communities in political spaces where diversity has not historically been embraced. Living up to theGrio’s African meaning of “storyteller,” he is passionate about telling stories that inform and humanize Black and queer experiences. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Gaynor is a proud HBCU graduate of Morehouse College and a graduate of Columbia University School of Journalism.
Hailie Sahar is an award-winning Actor, Producer, Director, Singer, and Writer. Sahar made history as one of the five transgender lead actors to star in Ryan Murphy's culturally groundbreaking FX series, Pose. Staring as Lulu, the Mother of the House of Ferocity, the ensemble went on to be globally recognized and awarded, including several Emmy Awards over the course of its successful three seasons.
Hailie has been featured in Vogue, Essence, Variety, Allure, OUT Magazine among other substantial titles worldwide, and in 2020 was named one of the "Most Beautiful People" by People Magazine. She is one of the handful of trans women to be highlighted by Playboy Magazine paving the way for solidarity for all.
Sahar's film credits range from HBO Max's original docu-series, Equal, portraying community pioneer, Sylvia Rivera, Freeform's Good Trouble as the dynamic series regular, Jazmin, Amazon Studio's Transparent, USA's Mr. Robot, and also starred in the off-Broadway production, Charm in New York City's MMC Theater. Sahar Executively Produced and Co-Directed alongside Jayce Baron, the thought-provoking documentary, Beyond Ed Buck, debuting in 2022 and being featured in several national and international film festivals winning six awards in total.
In the fall of 2020, Deadline announced Sahar's collaboration with Emmy Award-winning Director, Anthony Hemmingway for the Sir Lady Java biopic. She is set to Executively Produce and star as the trailblazing Los Angeles icon.
Hailie has overcome many challenges presented to her as a transgender woman, and was crowned "Miss L.A. Pride" and "Queen U.S.A." She was honored with an invitation to speak on the HIV/AIDS epidemic at The Ronald Reagan International Trade Center for the 57th Presidential Advisory Council in Washington DC and she continues to contribute to The East LA Women's Center Against Domestic Violence.
Riverside LGBTQ+ Pride is a completely volunteer-directed organization, with a mission to unite, educate, commemorate, and celebrate the diverse LGBTQIA+ community in Riverside, California and surrounding areas. We aim to be the most visible LGBTQIA+ organization in the area, and be a beacon of hope, joy, and support for our community. Headlined by our annual Pride festival, Riverside Pride organizes events year-round to create safer spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community everywhere we go.
In the Meantime Men’s Group, Inc. is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit community service organization. Over the past 25 years In The Meantime has been on the forefront of creating an environment that supports, empowers and educates black, gay, same gender-loving and bi-sexual men in Los Angeles County.
Through an integrated holistic approach to wellness, In The Meantime (ITMT) focuses on the mental/emotional, physical, spiritual, and economic well-being of a community that is oftentimes isolated and excluded from mainstream society.
For sponsorship opportunities, please navigate to our Sponsorship Deck below. For any inquiries, please reach out to [email protected].
Click here to view our Sponsorship Deck.