DIGITAL JOURNAL
ABOUT THE EVENT
more than 40 years, Liberty Hill has been committed to the fight for social justice. Our Upton Sinclair Celebration brings the progressive community together to celebrate the victories and visionaries that power change locally and across the country.
looking forward to honoring the contributions of organizers and activists who are paving the way for social justice progress.
2024 Upton Sinclair Celebration will be a community-focused event featuring a stunning Skirball Cultural Center, a fun strolling format with interactive exhibits, special surprise guests, and much more.
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez
Eunisses Hernandez is a community organizer, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, and a lifelong District 1 resident. She has led major policy wins, such as Measure J and Care First, Jails Last, which have begun to drive hundreds of millions of dollars into expanding and creating access to community based services, housing, and support for young people in LA County.
Eunisses witnessed firsthand the suffering wrought by decades of bad policy and negligent leadership in her own neighborhood and across Los Angeles—decision-making that resulted in an unprecedented housing crisis, the nation’s largest jail population, and severely underfunded social services.
Upton Sinclair Award
MEET OUR HONOREES
Founders Award
Celia Bernstein
Celia Bernstein is a philanthropist with a three-decade career in nonprofit development. Her introduction to philanthropy came from being raised in a real estate family steeped in the support of civil rights, politics, early childhood and Jewish causes. Her parents, both children of Russian Jewish immigrants, modeled a strong work ethic and a life of service.
Growing up in Washington, DC in the 1960’s against the backdrop of the civil rights and antiwar movements, Celia was sensitized at a young age to racial and economic injustice and inequality. She began to develop her own personal perspective on social change philanthropy first through the NorthStar Fund in New York and then later in Los Angeles, when she began to see wealth as a necessary fuel for activism. In 1988, when she met Michele Prichard, then the executive director at Liberty Hill Foundation, the organization became her primary philanthropic focus. During that time professionally, Celia was a clinical social worker in community mental health.
Derek Steele, a proud graduate of Morgan State University, is an experienced problem solver who began his professional career as an electrical engineer at Northrop Grumman. He started his journey with the Social Justice Learning Institute in 2010 figuring out how to re-creating local food access systems to solve health disparities and food insecurity in the Inglewood community and beyond.
Under his leadership as the Health Equity Programs Director, he stewarded a team that has taught over 10,000 families in nutrition, physical activity, and urban agriculture, built 120 gardens in the community, began the Inglewood Certified Farmers’ Market, Inglewood Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA) and the Food for Thought Produce Pick-Ups.
Wally Marks Changemaker Award
Derek Steele
MEET OUR HONOREES
Creative Vision Award
Aloe Blacc
Grammy-nominated, singer/songwriter, Aloe Blacc, who is known for major hits such as “I Need A Dollar”, “The Man”, and “Wake Me Up”, pledged early in his career to use his music for positive social transformation.
Aloe refers to his style of music as thematic, calling it “A.I.M.” which stands for affirmation, inspiration, and motivation.
In addition to music, Aloe is the founder of Major Inc, a biotech company focused on preventing future pandemics and infection from disease. With the help of accomplished PhD scientists, the company has conducted promising research to identify medicinal candidates that block viruses from cellular binding, entry, and replication.
Mike Farrell
Larry Janss
Win McCormack
Anne Mendel
Sarah Pillsbury
Jackie Goldberg
Mark Ridley-Thomas
Jilliene F. Schenkel
Hannah Weinstein
Rodolfo F. Acuna
Ed Asner
Past Honorees
1980 s
Davida Coady
Betty Warner Sheinbaum
Jeff Dietrich
Irene Hirano
Shirley Magidson
Martin Ritt
Harry Belafonte
Dino Hirsch
Linda Wong
Edward James Olmos
Lynda Palevsky
Anthony Thigpenn
Mary Jo Von Mach
Mae Churchill
Joie Davidow
Jay Levin
Ben Margolis & John Mcternan
Fr. Luis Olivares
Ginger Varney
Michael Ventura
Jim Becker
Maria Elena Durazo
Claudia Moore
Oliver Stone
Clark Branson
Jane Fonda
Dave Johnson
Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr.
Lillibeth Navarro
Robin Cannon
David Clennon
Sara Martinez
Bonnie Raitt
Karen Bass
Past Honorees
1990 s
Patrick Lippert
Warren Olney
John Singleton
Jay N. Gordon
M.D. & Meyera Robbins
Miya Iwataki
Comite Pro Paz
En El Barrio
Haskell Wexler
Nancy Smyth Cervantes
Richard Foos
Constance Rice
Alfre Woodard
Theresa Allison
Rabbi Leonard Beerman
Mary Steenbergen & Ted Danson
Nikki Brown & Ted Gardner
Gilda Haas
Gary Phillips
Stanley K. Steinbaum
Wally Marks
Linda Marquez
Rage Against the Machine
Harry Shearer
Daniel and Diana Attias
Sylvia Castillo
Dan Pallotta
Howard Zinn
Past Honorees
2000 s
Culture Clash
Madeline Janis-Aparicio
Norman Jewison
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Judith Baca
Michael Kieschnick
Stewart Kwoh
Tim Robbins
Susan Sarandon
Anna Deavere Smith
Marqueece Harris-Dawson
Betsy and Paul Mazursky
Bill Melamed Jr.
Eve Ensler
Arianna Huffington
Rob McKay
Rev. Eugene Williams
Tom Hayden
Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon
Antonio Manning
Angelica Salas
Geri Silva & Gail Blackwell
Robert Greenwald
Bill Resnick, M.D.
Sarah Pillsbury
Lisa Powell
Kent & Jai Lee Wong
Barry and Paula Litt
Rev. Alexia Salvatierra
Eric Schlosser
Ed Burns & David Simon
Richard D. Jacobs
Pacoima Beautiful
Bill Gallegos
Dean Hansell & Jason Murakawa
Sheila Kuehl
Past Honorees
2010 to 2023
Liz Heller & John Manulis
Walter Mosley
InnerCity Struggle
Tim Gill
Margarita Ramirez
Gary Stewart
Paris Barclay
Wendy Chang
Dr. Manual Pastor
Alex Gansa & Howard Gordon
Charles Floyd Johnson
Alison Morgan & Parke Skelton
Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger
Kafi Blumenfield
Scott Budnick
Veronica Gutierrez
Dr Frank Gilliam
Michele Prichard
Robbie Conal
Benjamin Goldhirsth
Fran Jemmott
Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering
Susan Genco and Mitch Kamin
Ana Ortiz
Elizabeth Levitt Hirsch
Congressman John Lewis
Senator Holly J. Mitchell
Torie Osborn
Jared Rivera
Isaac Bryan
The Dodgers Foundation
Meltzer Sieroty Family
Robert K. Ross, M.D.
Weston Milliken
Chloe & Maud Arnold
STAND-L.A. Coalition
info@libertyhill.org #UptonSinclairCelebration
libertyhill.org
facebook.com/libertyhill
twitter.com/libertyhill
instagram.com/libertyhillfoundation
Stay
Connected
Powering Social Change
L.A.’s social justice foundation for over 45 years.
Our Mission
Liberty Hill is a laboratory for social change philanthropy. We leverage the power of community organizers, donor activists and allies to advance social justice through strategic investment in grants, leadership training and campaigns.
Our North Star Support community organizing that is building power in communities most impacted by system oppression to achieve justice and equity.
Our Focus Area
Liberty Hill’s work is focused on Los Angeles County, however we understand that what happens in L.A. influences the nation. In this historical moment, we believe it is especially important for Los Angeles to be a beacon of social justice nationwide.
Home for Progressive Philanthropy
We give donor-activists opportunities to engage beyond their financial commitment.
We train the next generation of leaders to represent their communities within movement campaigns and government.
We are a convener and facilitator that brings unusual allies together to affect change.
We help organizations build capacity for future success. We fund and support grassroots organizations leading social justice campaigns.
Racial Justice
Our Priorities
Liberty Hill is an accelerator of community organizing in Los Angeles and a national leader in social justice.
Youth & Transformative Justice
LGBTQ & Gender Justice Environmental & Climate Justice Economic & Housing Justice Electoral Power Building
$7.4 M Program Grant
221 Program Grants Awarded $8.9 M
688 DAF Grants Awarded
M Government Subcontracts Distributed $2.5 M Raised in Individual Contributions
Total
Total
DAF Grant
$3.8
Progress in Action
Ways to Give
Liberty Hill is your partner in social justice philanthropy. There are many ways to make an impact in Los Angeles. One donation to Liberty Hill supports dozens of grassroots organizing groups. We offer innovative giving solutions such as Donor-Advised Funds, Giving Circles, Planned Gifts and other options.
Contribute Annually to Liberty Hill
Take the guesswork out of giving by making an annual donation in support of Liberty Hill’s organizing and activism. With a deep understanding of the issues facing our communities, and of the leaders on the frontlines of change, Liberty Hill will direct your annual gift where it’s needed most. One-time or monthly giving options are available. Liberty Hill offers several membership benefits at each level.
Join A Giving Circle
A Giving Circle is a self-directed group of individuals and philanthropic partners who pool their donations and vote on the organizations the circle will fund with its grants. By joining together, Giving Circle members make larger grants and stronger impacts on the issues and organizations they care about.
Liberty Hill advises our Giving Circles and provides management and grantmaking advice.
Join our Community Liberty Hill donor-activists are the backbone of our support and help fuel our mission to create a more just L.A!
Changemakers
Our community of donor activists, who give between $1,200 - $4,999, receive recognition in our annual report, invitations to several of our annual events and access to a personal advancement representative to assist with your giving needs and help you stay connected to our work.
Advocates
Our community of donor activists, who give between $5,000 - $9,999, have access to additional special events with Liberty Hill and our community partners throughout the year.
Champions
Our community of donor activists, who give $10,000+, have opportunities to deepen their connection to Liberty Hill and our community partners, with top donor events throughout the year, including an exclusive invitation to Champions Brunch with Liberty Hill CEO as well as access to our social justice philanthropy advisors.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
Manage all of your philanthropy in one place, while magnifying the impact of your life at L.A.’s exemplary social justice foundation.
In just a few days, you may set up your Donor Advised Fund with zero start-up costs, which will give you an immediate tax deduction, with flexibility to give grants over time.
Advantages of opening a DAF
• Expert advice to ensure your contributions are making a difference.
• Get a foundation-like structure without administrative complications and costs.
• Reduce email, mail and phone solicitations from organizations.
• Join a community of donor activists rooted in a strong sense of shared mission.
• No taxes on capital growth, with just a 1.25% and lower annual operating cost
• LHF handles tax filing, auditing and accounting.
• Donors are able to remain anonymous if they choose.
• Tax deductibility is 60% of AGI for cash and 30% of AGI for securities.
City of Angels Society
Honors individuals who have recognized Liberty Hill Foundation in their estate plans or other planned giving arrangements.
Making a bequest donation to Liberty Hill Foundation ensures a better, more just Los Angeles for generations to come.
Keep the values of democracy and justice alive through your gift. Guarantee a steady stream of resources for future generations of community organizers committed to building a fair and just society.
Vehicles to Give Bequest through a Will Living Trust or other Non-Charitable Trusts
Charitable Remainder Trust
Charitable Lead Trust
Beneficiary Designation through Retirement Plans or Insurance Policies
Ways to Give Cash Stock
Bonds
Mutual Fund Shares
Real Estate
In Memoriam
Liberty Hill honors the memories of our dear friends and supporters:
Suzanne Biegel
Ann C. Genco
Lee Frances Lainer
Alan Sieroty
We are so grateful to our dedicated and committed Founders for your visionary leadership in creating Liberty Hill Foundation. You embody the principles upon which you founded this groundbreaking organization and your support for our mission to make Los Angeles a more just and equitable place has fueled progress across the region for nearly a half century. Thanks to you the fight continues.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sponsors
Win McCormack ServiconCares
Sponsors
EDITOR
Annenberg Foundation
Celia Bernstein & Brad Kesden
Lisa & Joshua Bernstein
Kafi D. Blumenfield & City
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
Roberta Conroy L.A. Care Health Plan
Paula & Barry Litt
Shout! Factory
Social Environmental Entrepreneurs
Julia Meltzer & David Thorne
Allison Thomas
Weingart Foundation
Shana Weiss & John Silva
Sponsors
REPORTER
Angell Foundation
Diana & Dan Attias
Yuval Bar-Zemer
Harold & Stephanie Bronson
Brotherhood Crusade
Wendy Chang & Cause Communications
Jon Christensen & Ursula Heise
Janet Levin & Frank Gruber
Marta Ferro & Starfish Impact
Fran Jemmott
Josh & Heather Joy Kamensky and Ocean & Mountain Communications
Liz Levitt Hirsch
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
Los Angeles Rams
John Manulis & Liz Heller
Carol & Wally Marks III / Suzy Marks
Weston Milliken
Elizabeth Norton
Connie & Keith Rohman
SEIU Local 2015
Abby Sher
Social Justice Learning Institute
The California Wellness Foundation
The Impact Group, RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Lauren White & Alex Gansa
Sponsors
ORGANIZER
11th Hour Project
California Community Foundation
Cathy Hession Garson Foos GYL
Martha Hackett
Robert & Gail Israel
Diane and Jules Kabat
Southern California Grantmakers
Vision y Compromiso
Our Sponsors
CHANGEMAKER
Amalgamated Bank
Michele Asselin
Linda Baum
Nancy Bernstein
Susan Bernstein
Mary Ann Braubach
Z. Clark Branson
David Bohnett Foundation
Barbara Cohn
First 5 LA
Kay Gallin
Cristina Garcia & Mark Stanley
Susan Genco & Mitch Kamin
Whitney Green
Jennifer Ito
Anne & Charles F. Johnson
Jan Kern
Sherry & Dennis Kesden
Katharine King
Kesa Kivel
Trice Koopman & Mark Freund
Zuzana Riemer Landres & Shawn Landres
LIFT
Mary Lassen & Martin Liebowitz
Anand Pandya
Janina & Jared Rivera
Deborah Rothman
Cathy Salser
Robyn Samuels & Bruce Shragg
Tim Silard
Mitchell Singer
Mark Smith
Social Good Solutions
Dominique Tan
United Way LA
Amelia & Derrick Williamson
David Zebker
Best wishes to Liberty Hill
all of tonight’s honorees. May 2023 AMERICA’S PARKING ADDICTION MAX HOLLERAN THE HUMAN PRICE OF BIDEN’S ICE MAR INÉS TARACENA THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CANNOT BE SAVED ROUNDTABLE MAX BOOT MICHAEL STEELE NICOLLE WALLACE IT’S OVER THE RIGHT’S WAR ON STUDENT KATIE PORTER ONE SPEED GRAC SEGERS
Congratulations to tonight’s honorees. And our best wishes to Liberty Hill.
and
Wallis
IS PROUD TO SUPPORT Liberty Hill Foundation
ON THE OCCASION OF THE Upton Sinclair Homecoming Celebration AND C ONGR ATUL ATES T HE H ONOREES
Annenberg
Much love and gratitude to our Liberty Hill family.
Love, Celia, Brad, Lena and Nicole
“I’m convinced of this:
Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you are breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.”
Maya Angelou
We’re so proud of our dear sister Celia Bernstein for her leadership and lifetime dedication to the community.
With so much love from Marianne, Nancy, Susan, Josh, and Liz
Congratulations to all the Upton Sinclair honorees who make the world a better place every day.
Celia -- As Marge Piercy says, ‘...a strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not to be done..”
Thank you for being one of those strong women, and for always persisting to get shit done. You are a generous, loyal and dear friend.
Paula & Barry Litt
Celia, You inspire us with your big heart and your huge commitment to making the world a better place. With love and appreciation, Shari, Richard, Nicole, and Garson Foos
Celia, We honor your passionate vision and commitment to justice.
It is a privilege to be in your orbit.
“Without community, there is no liberation…”
Audre Lorde
Eunisses, Celia, Derek and AloeWe are proud to honor and celebrate each of you tonight, and congratulate you on this well-deserved honor.
Julia Meltzer & David Thorne
We are proud to stand alongside Liberty Hill, our partners in philanthropy, and fellow champions of change, as we march forward toward racial, social, and economic justice for all. weingartfnd.org
linkedin.com/company/weingart-foundation/ facebook.com/weingartfoundation
@weingart_fnd
partners in philanthropy, and fellow champions change, as we march forward toward The Weingart Foundation congratulates the 2024 Eunisses Hernandez, Celia Bernstein, Aloe Blacc, and our dedicated partner, Derek Steele.
The Liberty Hill, Thank you for seeding a more just and equitable Los Angeles.
Shana Weiss and John Silva
Congratulations to this Year’s Award Recipients!
Angell Foundation is proud to honor the transformative leadership and commitment to social justice embodied by Eunisses Hernandez, Celia Bernstein, Derek Steele, and Aloe Blacc.
With our warmest congratulations to Celia Bernstein, and all of tonight’s honorees.
Your commitment to social justice is an inspiration!
Dan and Diana Attias
Congratulations to all the Liberty Hill Honorees. With Love from
Harold, Stephanie, Spencer, and Greer Bronson
ON THE Together Road Change TO
Celebrating LIBERTY HILL FOUNDATION and the Upton Sinclair 2024 Honorees: Eunisses Hernandez, Celia Bernstein, Derek Steele, and Aloe Blacc
Wendy Chang
Hill Foundation Champions Chair
Congratulations to the Liberty Hill Foundation and Honorees of the 41st Annual Upton Sinclair Celebration!
We are proud of the growth, success and meaningful work of the entire Liberty Hill Foundation team and community.
With love, Marta Ferro & Starfish Impact
Liberty
It’s an honor to congratulate tonight’s awardees and salute the dedicated team of Liberty Hill.
Courageous and visionary, you are at the forefront of the fight for social justice, aiming your resolve into the roots of problems, digging deep to unearth solutions and empowering people to be change-makers.
Thank you and onwards!
Liz Levitt Hirsch
Liberty Hill Foundation
We are proud to support the and the
41 st Annual Upton Sinclair Honorees!
If Now Now, When?
If Not You, Who? Helping To Light Our Path... Eunisses Hernandez, Celia Bernstein, Derek Steele, and Aloe Blacc
Our heartfelt thanks and admiration to Liberty Hill and its extraordinary supporters, grantees,volunteers, staff and board... 45+ years in the right place and the right time. A bright light, waging the right fight.
Liz Heller and John Manulis
Congratulations to all the Upton Sinclair Award Honorees!
On behalf of the 200,000 SEIU 2015 long term care workers in LA County, we thank you for your ongoing leadership and commitment to fueling social change.
SEIU Local 2015 is the largest union in California, representing nearly 450,000 long-term care workers (home care, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living center workers) throughout the state. Its members are as diverse as the state’s population but united in their commitment to caring for California’s older adults and those with disabilities.
THE NATION‘S LARGEST LONG TERM CAREGIVERS UNION SEIU2015.ORG
The Social Justice Learning Institute congratulates our amazing director Derek Steele on this well deserved honor. We are so grateful for your leadership, energy, creativity and drive on behalf of our students and the communities we serve.
Omai Garner
Nancy Greenstein
Karen Blackwell
Terri Mosqueda
David Crippens
Linda Baum
Shamya Ullah & The Impact Group at RBC are proud to support
Dearest Celia, WOW!!!
We are cheering you on With a BURST of LOVE!
Kesa, Lisa and Cathy
Congratulations, Celia!
You are a passionate and tireless leader for lifting up all communities!
Thank you for being our North Star!
Cathy Hession
SCG mobilizes philanthropy to learn and take bold actions by fostering an inclusive community of members and partners.
socalgrantmakers.org
When we think of Celia ...
Congratulations!
Kristin Aldana-Taday
Barbara Cohn
Melanie Havelin
Paula Litt
Torie Osborn
Lina Paredes
Michele Prichard
Margarita Ramirez
Amy Sausser
Catherine Suitor
On behalf of the American Federation of Teachers AFT 1521
Thank you Liberty Hill Foundation for your partnership.
Congratulations to the honorees!
Congratulations Celia Bernstein!
With much love and admiration, Paul and Paula Reiser
Celebrating Celia, our dear friend & inspiration. We pay tribute to your fierce and unwavering vision of social justice for our world.
Deb,
Les, Linda, Gina and Patty
