Throughout the month of February, the City Council joined in the celebration of African American Heritage Month. All month, the City honored the achievements of Black Angelenos and paid tribute to their monumental contributions to the history and culture of Los Angeles. Among the outstanding men and women singled out for recognition this month were: U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler; California Secretary of State Shirley Weber; Dr. Russ Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum; Dr. Harry J. Elam, Jr., President of Occidental College; Charmaine Jefferson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of California Institute of the Arts; Dr. Elaine Batchelor, CEO of MLK Community Healthcare; acclaimed artists Mamie Hansberry and Lauren Halsey; singer and actress Freda Payne; actress and comedian Kim Coles; radio favorite Tammi Mac; culinary artist and entrepreneur Chef Marilyn; and groundbreaking jazz pianist, singer and R&B producer Patrice Rushen.
