Tag Archives: Magic Johnson

Smokey Robinson, Ken Sunshine Set for Lifetime Achievement Awards

Neglect Halloween, Rev. Al Sharpton has different plans this night.

The founder and president of the Nationwide Motion Community is internet hosting a starry seventieth party tonight in Century Metropolis, however relatively than have the main target be on his milestone birthday, Sharpton and his workforce have zeroed in on honorees (Smokey Robinson and Ken Sunshine) and a trigger (urging extra individuals to get out and vote in Tuesday’s election).

Held on the Fairmont Century Plaza, the occasion will see lifetime achievement awards doled out to Robinson, a music legend who was the founder and frontman of the pioneering Motown vocal group the Miracles, and Sunshine, a veteran public relations government, strategist and political activist. Sunshine, who had a stint in politics early in his profession, based Ken Sunshine Consultants earlier than teaming with Shawn Sachs to launch the agency Sunshine Sachs, now referred to as Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis.

Each shall be in attendance together with a roster of boldfaced names like Magic and Cookie Johnson, Robert F. Smith, Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer, Fabian Núñez, Antonio Villaraigosa, Sylvia Rhone and others. The fundraiser will serve to help NAN’s non-partisan Get Out the Vote marketing campaign, which seeks to activate the org’s greater than 100 chapters on the significance of exhibiting up for the elections.

“I’m honored to affix a bunch of private associates, who’ve lengthy supported NAN, as we mark my seventieth birthday this month,” Sharpton mentioned. “After a robust exhibiting on the Triumph Awards in New York Metropolis final week, I do know this occasion will assist future NAN’s work to tell Black voters throughout the nation what’s in danger after they keep residence and what’s potential after they prove on the polls. I particularly wish to thank Magic Johnson and Robert F. Smith for placing this occasion collectively, as they’ve labored with us for many years on increasing enterprise alternatives for Black and brown People.”

As Sharpton talked about, the L.A. occasion follows an identical bash on the East Coast the place Gladys Knight, Robert De Niro, Wynton Marsalis and Carolyn “Cookie” Mason had been honored. In New York, Sharpton, whose precise birthday fell on Oct. 3, additionally mentioned the impression of the Triumph Awards from the rostrum.

Ken Sunshine on the thirty fourth Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony in New York on Might 11, 2019.

Noam Galai/Getty Photos for Ellis Island Honors Society

Smokey Robinson and Frances Gladney at a pre-Grammy gala hosted by Clive Davis on Feb. 3, 2024.

Amy Sussman/Getty Photos

Athletes for Harris Launches With Endorsements by Football Hall of Famers

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz launched Athletes for Harris on Saturday with new endorsements by 15 Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers.

The brand new marketing campaign effort seeks to mobilize athletes and coaches throughout the nation forward of the 2024 presidential election in November.

Mel Blount, Emmitt Smith, Kellen Winslow, Andre Tippett, Marv Levy, Alan Web page, Drew Pearson, Kenny Houston, Jan Stenerud, Calvin Johnson, Robert Brazile, Willie Roaf, Mike Haynes, Elvin Bethea and Ron Combine are amongst these backing the Harris-Walz ticket, along with the 50 HBCU soccer legends who endorsed Harris final week. 

Crew Harris-Walz seems to leverage sporting occasions and video games to increase its assist amongst voters, with the assistance of marketing campaign co-chairs who’re working to recruit fellow athletes to marketing campaign as nicely. These co-chars embody Thomas Booker, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Billie Jean King, Steve Kerr, Ali Krieger, Candace Parker, Doc Rivers, Daybreak Staley, Ali Truwit and Chris Paul.

“I’m so glad to be part of Athletes for Harris,” Johnson wrote in a press release. “I’ve identified Vice President Harris for over 25 years, and you’ll depend on her to ship on what she says she goes to do. She’ll be a President for all individuals, regardless of the race, language, sexual orientation, or get together line. She confirmed all of us — and confirmed the world — that she was able to be President, how sensible she is, and her plan for the nation in that debate.”

He continued, “We’re not going backwards; we’re transferring ahead. For all the athletes on the market, don’t be afraid to make use of your platforms – we want all of you to get entangled. Share this with your mates that Vice President Harris has an agenda that can transfer the nation ahead. The Magic Man is on board.”