The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach’s signature gala, the Black and White Ball, will kick off, in formal style, at the Hyatt Regency on Saturday, March 12—all in the honor of those who have served the LGBTQ community in Long Beach.
With live music, dinner, dancing, silent auction and recognition of community icons, this is the third year The Center planned what has become its signature gala, with the last two year’s events selling out. Proceeds from the event, which only has three tables remaining, go toward supporting the services of The Center, which serves over 25,000 clients per year, according to a release.
Fourth District Supervisor Don Knabe will be honored with a Political Icon-Lifetime Achievement Award for his “decades of support for The Center and the LGBTQ community.”
“Supervisor Knabe sets the bar very high in terms of an elected official’s support for community organizations and our community in particular,” said The Center’s Executive Director Porter Gilberg. “He has demonstrated a tireless commitment to ensuring The Center and LGBTQ people have access to resources in order to thrive in our communities. We are so thrilled to honor him at our event.”
Other award winners include the AIDS Food Store (granted the Community Icon Award) and Judah Peralta (granted the Youth Icon Award). Peralta is a current student at CSULB and a graduate of The Center’s Mentoring Youth Through Empowerment (MYTE) program, according to a release. Peralta overcame numerous obstacles to become president of his dorm and an intern for Senator Ricardo Lara.
Last year’s event raised more than $80,000 for The Center, according to the release. Such earnings helped the organization increase its programming and hire additional staff members. Sponsors of the event include Presenting Sponsor Don Knabe, the Port of Long Beach and Nick Chavez Beverly Hills.
Tickets are $150 and are available on The Center’s website or in person at The Center’s front desk (2017 East Fourth Street).
The Hyatt Regency is located at 200 South Pine Avenue.
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