Raven-Symoné to Accept Honor at ‘Highly Favored’ Ball, Hosted by the Los Angeles LGBT Center on February 24 in Celebration of Black History Month
—
A proud lesbian, Raven-Symoné is a household name who has commanded an iconic Hollywood career as a multi-hyphenate, actor, singer, producer, and director
—
LOS ANGELES, February 2, 2024—In commemoration of Black History Month, the Los Angeles LGBT Center will host its inaugural Highly Favored program and ball on Saturday, February 24, from 6–10PM at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Hollywood. Honoring the trailblazing lesbian entertainer Raven-Symoné, the celebration culminates with an Open to All (OTA) mini-ball curated by the House of Marc Jacobs—offering five inclusive categories, cash prizes, and a superstar roster of guest judges from the LA ball scene.
Formerly known as The Future Is Black, Highly Favored is a bold spotlight on everything Black and queer in Los Angeles. The revamped and reimagined hallmark event is an evolution of the Center’s cornerstone series, which included 2023’s The Future Is Black: Renaissance, featuring Grammy winner Big Freedia. Raven-Symoné will be presented with the Center’s Bayard Rustin Award for her prominence as an fearless advocate and face of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I feel blessed and highly favored to accept the Bayard Rustin Award by the Los Angeles LGBT Center. As a storyteller, I am committed to recognizing the figures and tastemakers propelling the Black queer movement, driving art, inspiring liberation, and innovating the future and the culture,” said event honoree Raven-Symoné.
The free event will include an award presentation, a 600-square-foot interactive portrait studio installation, and appearances by WOW Presents Plus personalities The Sissy Squad.
“Beyond Raven-Symoné’s impressive, three-decade long resume in Hollywood, she is an unapologetic champion focused on creating powerful and meaningful stories about underrepresented communities while amplifying LGBTQ+ voices,” said Giovanna Fischer, Chief Equity Officer, Los Angeles LGBT Center. “We are honored to present her due flowers to celebrate along with LA’s Black queer community.”
Highly Favored event sponsors include Angel City Football Club, NYX Professional Makeup, and ADP.
For more information or to register, visit lalgbtcenter.org/highlyfavored.
WHAT:
Highly Favored
Award presentation and OTA mini ball reception.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 24, 2024
6–10PM
WHERE:
Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
###
About the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.