41st Upton Sinclair Celebration Digital Journal

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

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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

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$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

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.

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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.

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• Tax deductibility is 60% of AGI for cash and 30% of AGI for securities.

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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.

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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

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