8th annual evening under the stars electronic tribute journal

Welcome to the 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars Awards Show and Gala: From the Harlem Renaissance to the South L.A. Renaissance. We are so excited about the incredible support we have received for this year's gala. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Toyota, our Gold Level Sponsor, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, our Silver Level Sponsor Comcast NBC Universal, our many Bronze Level and VIP Sponsors and all that have made generous donations to make this night possible.

We are witnessing a rebirth and expansion of quality health care to kids and families in South Los Angeles and tonight we celebrate the pioneers that are leading

the way for this renaissance. Thank you for being a part of this celebration and for joining us for another magical evening under the stars!

BRONZE SPONSOR

Virgina + Austin Beutner

ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS NETWORK

Special Needs Network, Inc. is a grassroots nonprofit organization responding to the needs of children with autism and special needs and their families who live in the state's most vulnerable communities. We have forged collaborative relationships with key policy makers, philanthropists, and nonprofit organizations in order to ensure that we offer culturally sensitive programs that meet the needs of our target population.

From free summer camps, to our signature parent leadership training program, we are on the front lines advocating for the needs of children with a range of disabilities and for equitable services for all kids, particularly children of color in under served neighborhoods. Not just an organization, but a movement---SNN is dedicated to changing lives and building stronger and healthier communities.

PROGRAM

// Red Carpet Arrivals

// Pre-Awards Show Reception + Silent Auction

// Awards Show > Hosted by: Vannessa Bell Calloway + Jim Hill

// Welcome

// Sponsor Acknowledgements > Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas

// Remarks from Presenting Sponsor > JL Armstrong - Toyota

// The SNN Story in Video

// Remarks from the Gala Chair > Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas

// Presentation-Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award > BYRON K. REED

// Tribute to Our Past and Future > By B.Slade and SNN Chorus

// The Autism Journey > Lareka and Weller Killebrew

// Building Support for a Healthier Community > Zack Krone

// Presentation – Courage Award > SHERYL LEE RALPH

// Remarks from the President + Special Unveiling > AREVA MARTIN, ESQ.

// Presentation – Vanguard Award > AUSTIN BEUTNER

// Closing Remarks

// Post-Awards Show Dinner + Gala > Featuring B.Slade with Shanice and Friends

SIGNATUREPROGRAMS

SNN Street Team

Education and engagement are central to what we do. Our team of volunteers, staff, and executives utilize a multi-media platform that includes social media, digital storytelling, TV, radio, and print publications to reach millions of families and provide them with invaluable medical, educational, housing, and employment referrals and resources. The team is our grassroots organizing arm to initiate and support campaigns and policies that promote social justice and equality.

Legislative Breakfast

Recognizing the importance of civic engagement and the importance of participatory democracy, this community forum brings together local, state and national elected officials for a dialog with parents and stakeholders on issues of health, education, housing, jobs and public safety.

Stepping Stones

Stepping's Stones is a program designed to bring about a new legislative framework that requires daycare providers to be equipped with the training necessary for proper early identification of children with special needs; provide needed interventions; better prepare children for kindergarten; and prevent the abuse and neglect that children with special needs are particularly susceptible to.

Equality For Out Kids

“Equality for Our Kids: Stand Up, Speak Out, and Take Action” is Special Needs Network’s year-long initiative to correct the injustice in the allocation of state funding for autism services to African American and Latino children in California.

Joe Patton Academy Camp (Camp JPAC)

Every summer, hundreds of special needs children and their siblings come

to Joe Patton Academy Camp (Camp JPAC) – a safe, fun, nurturing haven

on a beautifully secluded campus North of LAX. This unique camp experience includes a full academic enrichment program, sports and art. Our campers

enjoy swimming, football, soccer, kickball, bowling, drama, music, dance coaching, ceramics, and art instruction.

Back to School Health + Resource Fair

The only back to school inclusion event and health and wellness fair in Los Angeles for children with developmental disabilities and their typically-developing siblings, peers and families, Back to School is a massive, annual resource fair that brings together over 1,200 participants for a day of health education, resources, interactive play and community engagement.

Christmas Care Exchange + Toy Giveaway

Every year during the holiday season, Special Needs Network hosts an evening of celebration for families, community leaders, and stakeholders. During this event, SNN honors parents and volunteers who have made exemplary contributions to the organization. The event provides families and children with a safe and nurturing environment in which to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to give children with disabilities and opportunity to participate in traditional holiday activities such as story telling, arts and crafts, dancing, and Christmas caroling.

Tools for Transformation

This comprehensive parent and professional conference focuses on issues related to autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health, and other developmental disabilities. The largest conference of its kind in Los Angeles, Tools for Transformation brings the country’s most renowned experts in medicine, law, education, and advocacy to provide families with cutting edge information and resources through a full day of classes and workshops. This is a must-attend event for parents, advocates, and health care professionals.

AUTISM CLINICAT MARTIN LUTHER KING HOSPITAL CAMPUS

We are building support for LA’s first-ever

autism school-related medical and developmental clinic

WITH OUR PARTNER ST. JOHN’S WELL CHILD & FAMILY CENTER

IN-KIND AUCTIONDONORS AND

GALA SUPPORTERS

// STUBHUB CENTER

// Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites

// Los Angeles Dodgers // Los Angeles Clippers

// Brushstrokes and Beverages // Glam Factory // Learn About Wine // Ace Golf Academy at Arroyo Seco Golf Course // Embassy Suites—LAX

// Sporthings & More

// CBS Television // Bradford Renaissance Portraits // LA STAGE Alliance // Gail Lara // BC Mobile // GLAM SPA // Lorena Eaton & Matthew Morales // Bonnie & Andre LaMon

// Darlene Chan // Superior Grocers // Mimi Song

// Rowley Portraiture // Our Amazing Artists from Camp JPAC

BOARD MEMBERSAND COMMITTEE

Areva D. Martin, Esq. Co-Founder & President

Bonnie Berry LaMon, Esq. Vice President

Sonjia D. White, Esq. Secretary

Ruth Creary, Ph.D.

Jan Davis

Annette Hollomon

Kevin McCarthy

Shamaya Ullah

Janine Watkins-Ivie, Esq.

SNN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

B.J. Freeman, Ph.D.

Cathy Jones Irish

Cheryl Gully, LCSW

Dave Clark

Dwight Counsel

Gail Lara

Lee Bailey

Monica Holloway

ADVISORY BOARDPat Grayson-Dejong

Prudence Baird-Metcalf

Rev. Cecil L. Murray

Rev. Vanessa Ussery

Seth Weisbord, Esq.

Theodore Friedman, M.D., Ph.D.

Yvette Chappel-Ingram

Honorary Gala Co-ChairsHon. Mark Ridley-Thomas // Hon. Curren Price Jr.

Honorary Gala Committee + Former HonoreesElaine Batchlor, M.D. // Leah & Dimitri Bizoumis // Marty Bowen

// Darrell Brown // David Carlisie, M.D. // Wyck Godfrey // Paul Hudson // Mary Kerr, M.D. // Hon. Carol Liu // Steve Mauldin //

Cynthia McClain Hill, Esq. // Tom Priselac // Ken Simril //

Hon. Darrell Steinberg // Jan White // Terrie Williams

HONORARY GALA COMMITTEE

Gala Co-ChairsAreva D. Martin, Esq. // Bonnie Berry LaMon, Esq.

Gala CommitteeE

Ronald Green // Dr. Misee Harris // Chip Mathews //

Carolyn Ramsay // Stephanie Smith

GALA HOST COMMITTEE

Senior Vice President and

Wells Fargo Director of Community Relations for the Los Angeles

Metro / Orange County Region

Senior Vice President and

Wells Fargo Director of Community Relations for the Los Angeles

Metro / Orange County Region

Actress, Singer, Producer,

HIV/AIDS Activist Founder

of the Diva Foundation

Actress, Singer, Producer,

HIV/AIDS Activist Founder

of the Diva Foundation

Executive, Philanthropist,

Founder and Chairman

of Vision to Learn

Executive, Philanthropist,

Founder and Chairman

of Vision to Learn

Vanessa Bell CallowayStage, Screen and Television

Actress

Jim HillBroadcast Journalist

and CBS Lead Sports Anchor

Vanessa Bell CallowayStage, Screen and Television

Actress

Jim HillBroadcast Journalist

and CBS Lead Sports Anchor

B.Slade, Formerly known under the gospel moniker Tonéx, is an American singer,

songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, dancer, producer, and activist.

Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox, better known as Shanice, is a Grammy-nominated American

R&B/Pop-Rock singer-songwriter

B.Slade, Formerly known under the gospel moniker Tonéx, is an American singer,

songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, dancer, producer, and activist.

Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox, better known as Shanice, is a Grammy-nominated American

R&B/Pop-Rock singer-songwriter

I extend my sincere congratulations to Special Needs Network, Inc.’s, 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars Gala.

I commend Special Needs Network, Inc., for its efforts to assist underserved families affected by autism and related developmental disorders. Your work is a shining example of positive change in our community.

Karen BassMember of Congress

37th Congressional District of California

I extend my sincere congratulations to Special Needs Network, Inc.’s, 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars Gala.

I commend Special Needs Network, Inc., for its efforts to assist underserved families affected by autism and related developmental disorders. Your work is a shining example of positive change in our community.

CongratulationsSpecial Needs Network

As the city Attorney of the City of Los Angeles, on behalf of its residents, I extend my congratulations to you for your wonderful event and to your distinguished honorees for their philanthropy, activism and community service.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your celebration.

Mike FeuerLos Angeles City Attorney

CongratulationsSpecial Needs Network

As the city Attorney of the City of Los Angeles, on behalf of its residents, I extend my congratulations to you for your wonderful event and to your distinguished honorees for their philanthropy, activism and community service.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your celebration.

We are proud to support Special Needs Network’s 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars

We are inspired by Areva Martin’s work to support children with autism and congratulate tonight’s honorees

Austin Beutner // Sheryl Lee Ralph // Byron K. Reedfor their dedication to our community

Fawn + Keith Weaver

We are proud to support Special Needs Network’s 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars

We are inspired by Areva Martin’s work to support children with autism and congratulate tonight’s honorees

Austin Beutner // Sheryl Lee Ralph // Byron K. Reedfor their dedication to our community

kaiser foundation

kaiser foundation

As president of the Los Angeles City Council and on behalf of the residents of the 10th Council District, it is my pleasure to congratulate Special Needs Network, Inc. on the occasion of their 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars Award Show and Gala benefiting Autism. I extend my best wishes for a successful and memorable event!

Herb J. Wesson Jr.President, Los Angeles City Council

10th Council District

As president of the Los Angeles City Council and on behalf of the residents of the 10th Council District, it is my pleasure to congratulate Special Needs Network, Inc. on the occasion of their 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars Award Show and Gala benefiting Autism. I extend my best wishes for a successful and memorable event!

Congratulations to the Special Needs Network, Inc. as you celebrate another year. Thank you for all you do in educating and providing the necessary resources to many families in the Los Angeles Region and for helping all of us be more engaged and understanding of autism and related developmental disorders. You truly are leading way in educating, advocating and influencing public policy for children with developmental disabilities in Los Angeles and throughout California.

Curren D. Price Jr.Councilman

District 9 - “The New 9th”Gala Co-Chair

Congratulations to the Special Needs Network, Inc. as you celebrate another year. Thank you for all you do in educating and providing the necessary resources to many families in the Los Angeles Region and for helping all of us be more engaged and understanding of autism and related developmental disorders. You truly are leading way in educating, advocating and influencing public policy for children with developmental disabilities in Los Angeles and throughout California.

Your achievements inspire us all.For your endless dedication to making a difference, congratulations!

learning enrichment after-school programLearning doesn't stop when the school day ends.

www.leapusa.org

Your achievements inspire us all.For your endless dedication to making a difference, congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONSJamie + Michael Lynton

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Special Needs Network on the occasion of its 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars, which I am proud to co-chair. Special Needs Network, through its tireless advocacy and innovative programming, works every day to ensure that every child has the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. Our children, families and communities are unquestionably stronger for Special Needs Network’s efforts.

Mark Ridley-ThomasSupervisor

Los Angeles County • Second DistrictGala Co-Chair

Congratulations to Special Needs Network on the occasion of its 8th Annual Evening Under the Stars, which I am proud to co-chair. Special Needs Network, through its tireless advocacy and innovative programming, works every day to ensure that every child has the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. Our children, families and communities are unquestionably stronger for Special Needs Network’s efforts.

Areva, we salute your untiring work in our community. It is not what one says,

but rather what one does, that makes all the difference in the world.

Pirke Avot 1:17

Rabbi Sherre +

Dr. Jeffrey Hirsch

Areva, we salute your untiring work in our community. It is not what one says,

but rather what one does, that makes all the difference in the world.

Pirke Avot 1:17

Since 2005, Special Needs Network, Inc. has been on the frontlines of responding to the crisis of autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved communities. Special Needs Network’s work to impact public policy and raise public awareness of developmental disabilities has made a difference in the communities they serve.

On behalf of the California State Assembly and the people of the 51st Assembly District, I offer my best wishes for the continued success to Special Needs Network, tonight’s honorees and everyone who gathered here tonight.

Jimmy GomezAssembly Member

51st District

Since 2005, Special Needs Network, Inc. has been on the frontlines of responding to the crisis of autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved communities. Special Needs Network’s work to impact public policy and raise public awareness of developmental disabilities has made a difference in the communities they serve.

On behalf of the California State Assembly and the people of the 51st Assembly District, I offer my best wishes for the continued success to Special Needs Network, tonight’s honorees and everyone who gathered here tonight.

CongratulationsAustin Beutner We are proud to support

Vision to Learn and

Special Needs Network

Neda + Tim Disney

CongratulationsAustin Beutner We are proud to support

Vision to Learn and

Special Needs Network

On behalf of the employees at Fleischmann's Ingredients

and our owners at RLJ Equity Partners,

The Simril Familycongratulates

Special Needs Network for all of their wonderful work helping families with Autism.

Renata + Kenneth Simril

On behalf of the employees at Fleischmann's Ingredients

and our owners at RLJ Equity Partners,

The Simril Familycongratulates

Special Needs Network for all of their wonderful work helping families with Autism.

Together we’ll go far

Together we’ll go far

Congratulations to this year’s honorees

Austin Beutner • Sheryl Lee Ralph • Byron K. ReedWe are pleased to support

Special Needs Network and all its programs

which benefit our community.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees

Austin Beutner • Sheryl Lee Ralph • Byron K. ReedWe are pleased to support

Special Needs Network and all its programs

which benefit our community.

YOUR IMAGE IS YOUR BRAND

Mechellet Bickerstaffwww.ImageConsultingExcellence.com

310.703.7412

YOUR IMAGE IS YOUR BRAND

Mechellet Bickerstaffwww.ImageConsultingExcellence.com

310.703.7412

CongratulationsSpecial Needs Network

and HonoreesOur Author’s Study Club

CongratulationsSpecial Needs Network

and Honorees

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ANDAWARDS SHOW CREDITS

// All of our Generous Sponsors, Donors and Contributors

// Presenting Sponsor Toyota Motor Sales, Christopher Reynolds, Esq. Tracy Underwood and JL Armstrong

// Media Sponsor CBS2/KCAL9 and General Manager Steve Mauldin

// Honorary Gala Co-Chairs Hon. Mark Ridley-Thomas & Hon. Curren Price Jr.

// Gala Co-Chairs Bonnie Berry LaMon, Esq. & Areva Martin, Esq.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ANDAWARDS SHOW CREDITS

// Honorary Gala and Gala Committee Members

// Board of Directors + Advisory Board of Special Needs Network

// Staff and Volunteers of Special Needs Network

// Staff of Martin & Martin, LLP

// Awards Show CoHosts Vanessa Bell Calloway + Jim Hill

// Gala + Dinner Entertainment B. Slade Featuring Shanice Wilson and Special Guest Performers

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ANDAWARDS SHOW CREDITS

// Auctioneer Zack Krone

// Pre-Awards Show + VIP Reception Entertainment Mike Mctaggart Jazz Trio

// Wine and Cocktails for Pre and Post Awards Show Receptions and Dinner Bonnie Berry & Andre LaMon

// Event Management The Todd Group

// Event Design Donna Robinson

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ANDAWARDS SHOW CREDITS

// Awards Show Producer Jeanie Weems

// SNN Chorus Producer Terry Jones

// Sound and Lights Danno Metoyer and Elite Sound Entertainment

// Media & PR Jessica Munday and Trio Solutions

// Art Direction Daniel Fausto

// Event Venue Melissa Allen and Anessa Curtin

// Event Photography Leroy Hamilton and Sevan Poladian

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ANDAWARDS SHOW CREDITS

// Voice Over for SNN Video Suzanne Sena

// About SNN Video Production Ryan Heathcook

//Escorts and Volunteers Beta Gamma Nu & SNN Parents

// SNN Chorus Joanna Barron, Leslie Crosby, Dianna Emmanuel,

Larnell Emmanuel, Brenda Franco, Joshua Goins, Morgan Martin,

Karla Meador, Helen Neri, Cassandra Payne

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ANDAWARDS SHOW CREDITS

// Hair & Make-Up for SNN Ambassador Parents Evelyn Guillen, BC Mobile GLAM SPA, Mechellet Bickerstaff and Image Consulting Excellence

// Healthy Swag Bags Superior Grocers and Mimi Song

THANK YOU