By Philtrina Farquharson | Contributing Writer 

  • Charisse Bremond-Weaver, President & CEO of Brotherhood Crusade with Mookie Betts, Brianna Betts and Nichol Whiteman, CEO of Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. (Photo: Leroy Hamilton)
  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Charisse Bremond-Weaver. (Photo: Leroy Hamilton)

  • Charisse Bremond-Weaver and Danny Bakewell Sr. present the Pioneer of African American Achievement Award to Mookie Betts. (Photo: Leroy Hamilton)

  • Brianna and Mookie Betts. (Photo: Leroy Hamilton)

This past weekend, the 54th Annual Award Brotherhood Crusade Gala took place to recognize individuals that have made significant contributions in their industry and the community by improving the quality of life for youth and families. The event was celebrated at the Beverly Hilton Hotel after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brotherhood Crusade is a grassroots organization that started with Founder Walter Bremond’s vision of improving the quality of life for low-income, underserved, underrepresented, and disenfranchised individuals. The mission continues to be to remove Barriers that impact the road to success to promote personal, social, and economic growth and wellness in South Los Angeles. 

Today, the organization offers more than 25 programs and services to at-risk youth and families. Some offerings include golf mentoring, a BioFuture STEM program, Mentor & Me, and the Junior Executive Leadership program. These services span five categories: youth development, financial literacy, business enrichment, community events, and sports. 

The first honor handed out was the African American Achievement Award. This is a prestigious recognition presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to their industry and impacted the community by improving the quality of life for youth and families through education, advocacy, and community building. 

“I am humbled and blessed to receive the Brotherhood Crusade 2022 African American Achievement Award,” said professional baseball player Mookie Betts. “It is an honor to be recognized by an organization that understands the importance of meeting the needs of our community directly, and I look forward to continuing our partnership to improve the lives of youth and communities of color.”

The commitment of Mookie Betts’ foundation Acts Inspired by Mookie (AIM) to assist communities facing economic hardship and food insecurity made honoring him an easy decision, explained current President and CEO of Brotherhood Crusade, Charisse Bremond-Weaver.

Three-time GRAMMY® award-winning R&B hitmaker, NE-YO (Photo Credit: Leroy Hamilton)

The gala featured entertainment by three-time GRAMMY® award-winning R&B hitmaker NE-YO and speeches from elected officials, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.

“I’m not sure where I would be without the support of the Brotherhood Crusade,” said Dante Reese, a Brotherhood Crusade program participant. “The mentoring and guidance I’ve received from the youth development programs have helped equip me with the skills and confidence I need to succeed in school and life.

Over one million dollars was raised this past weekend which will help support and grow the many programs and services that Brotherhood Crusade provides for the youth of South Los Angeles.

To learn more about Brother Crusade and to support its mission, you can visit https://www.brotherhoodcrusade.org/our-impact/.

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