‘The Big Night In’ Virtual Gala
Honoring Kenya Barris, Jane Cha Cutler and Richard and Demi Weitz
Los Angeles, September 2, 2020 – On September 17, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) will host ‘The Big Night In’ virtual gala honoring producer, writer and director Kenya Barris, producer Jane Cha Cutler and partner at William Morris Endeavor and father/daughter creators of RWQuarantunes, Richard and Demi Weitz. The event will kick off with a DJ set by D-Nice during the 5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET virtual red carpet arrivals, followed by the program at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET. Netflix will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of ‘The Big Night In’ gala, which benefits youth facing adversity from underserved communities in Los Angeles by providing and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships.
Honorees will receive their awards virtually during the ceremony. Barris will be honored with the Defender of Potential Award, Cutler will receive the 2020 Sherry Lansing Award, and Richard and Demi Weitz will be honored with the Walt Disney Philanthropists of the Year Award.
“During a period in our collective history where human connection is at an all-time low, we are incredibly grateful for all of our allies who believe in the power of mentorship and work with us to keep kids connected. We celebrate the big, bold impact of this year’s honorees – Kenya Barris, Jane Cha Cutler and Richard & Demi Weitz – and we thank them for their incredible support of the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Lauren Plichta, President & Chief Executive Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.
This year, the digital ceremony will be held in line with COVID-19 restrictions. The events of the past few months – both COVID-19 and the tragic injustices against Black communities – have disproportionately affected the youth that BBBSLA serve, 95 percent of whom are youth of color. BBBSLA has embraced its role not only as “Defenders of Potential” of the youth they serve, but also “Defenders of Futures” for every young person in Los Angeles.
‘The Big Night In’ gala is presented by Netflix. Other co-sponsors include Amazon Studios, The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, City National Bank, IMAX, Mar Vista Investment Partners and Union Bank.
# # #
Follow Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles on:
Facebook: @BBBSGLA
Twitter: @BBBSLA
Instagram: @bbbsla
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives, for the better, forever. Many of the youth in this program come from extremely challenging circumstances at home, at school or in their neighborhood, yet they have enormous potential. BBBSLA volunteer mentors accept the mission to be Defenders of Potential. With the support of their mentors, these students are beating the odds in BIG ways – many of them being the first in their family to go to college. 96% of the youth who have a Big Brother or Big Sister are graduating from high school and 94% of them are going on to pursue higher education. Founded by Walt Disney and Meredith Willson in 1955, BBBSLA is a leading non-profit in the Los Angeles community and one of the largest youth mentoring organizations in Southern California. To learn more, visit www.BBBSLA.org.
