Photo Flash: Inside The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles Luncheon

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) hosted its annual "Accessories for Success" Scholarship Luncheon on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at the Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills. The afternoon fundraiser honored Mike Daly, Producer-Songwriter and Executive Director of A&R and Music Publishing at Disney Music Group, and Trisha Cardoso, The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation President and Chief Giving Officer, with the "Excellence in Mentoring Award", and featured a BBBSLA fashion show sponsored by Nordstrom Rack.

Kim Baldonado, NBC4 Reporter, BBBSLA Board Member and 2019 Big Sister of the Year, was the master of ceremonies. Baldonado introduced Ava Cardoso-Smith’s performance of “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder, which she dedicated to her mother, honoree Trisha Cardoso.  Board President Brock Moseley introduced a group of outstanding BBBSLA high school seniors who had received college scholarships, to the acclaim of the audience.

Stephen Galloway, Executive Editor of The Hollywood Reporter, presented the “Excellence in Mentoring Award” to Trisha Cardoso, President and Chief Giving Officer at The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation (TCLFF). Galloway spoke of Cardoso’s unflagging support of young women at risk, and promising students achieving their college dreams. A remarkable 90% of BBBSLA children that have a mentor, graduate high school, and the majority go on to college. Cardoso acknowledged the many mentors that helped her further her own goals, and counseled the audience to, “Be proud of who you are and own your own story”.  Cardoso is the co-architect of the foundation’s Big Bang Theory Scholarship Endowment at UCLA. Cardoso has an extensive record in philanthropy and serves on multiple boards, including Young Eisner Scholars and UNICEF.

A highlight of the afternoon included the annual fashion show.  Presented by Kim Baldonado, with runway fashion commentary by stylist Kalee Hewlett, the show featured Big Brothers and Sisters (“Bigs”) with their Little Brothers and Sisters (“Littles”) modeling “outfits for success” down the catwalk. Prior to the luncheon, the matches spent a day together selecting outfits and accessories from the Nordstrom Rack FIGat7th store to prepare for the show.  Each runway outfit was inspired by a moment or activity that Bigs and Littles might share.

Speaking from the stage, Geevy S.K. Thomas, President of Nordstrom Rack, credited his own rise from sales person at Nordstrom Rack, to President of the company, as an example of the power of mentorship. Thomas spoke of the national partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, stating that “every little moment with a caring adult can help build a kid’s potential to do big things.”  Through a new program running through May 13, 2019, shoppers at Nordstrom Rack stores across the nation can buy a Sponsor-A-Moment tag and make contributions at the register, and 100% of the proceeds will support efforts to match kids with adult mentors. The program encourages shoppers to think about the important mentorship moments that a Big and Little can share – including preparing for an interview, learning to tie a tie, and helping with homework. In the first two weeks alone, the Sponsor-A-Moment campaign has raised $250,000 for BBBS. Nordstrom Rack intends to offer the program twice annually.

Edd Benda, Co-chair of the BBBSLA Junior Board, and President of Beyond The Porch Media, led the audience in an spirited fundraising appeal that exceeded the event goals for success, and welcomed to the stage Adam Davis, Professor of Art at Scripps College, and Big Brother of the Year. Davis said that becoming a mentor four years ago was the best decision he ever made.

Journalist and author Cal Fussman presented the "Excellence in Mentoring Award" to Mike Daly, citing Daly’s big heart, indomitable spirit and quiet tenacity for good causes.  Daly has mentored Jonathan, his Little, for nine years.  He spoke of their relationship and the transition over the years from conversations about Legos, to girls, and now to college choices, and how much their friendship has enriched his own life.  Daly is the Executive Director of A&R and Music Publishing at the Disney Music Group, which covers Hollywood Records, Buena Vista Records, Walt Disney Records and Disney Music Publishing.  As a BBBSLA Board Member, Daly helps create opportunities for the 1700+ children the organization serves throughout Los Angeles.  He also serves as a mentor for the Techstars Music Accelerator Program. Daly is an accomplished producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Singer and musician, Bobi Andonov provided a soulful rendition of “Ordinary People” by John Legend, and the luncheon drew to a close.

Big Sister of the Year, BBBSLA Board Member, and event Emcee Kim Baldonado and her Little Sister Emily with BBBSLA President and CEO Olivia Diaz-Lapham.

Little Brother Xander and his Big Brother Joel Freeman (BeachBody)

Little Sister Desiree and Big Sister Jenah Doucette (ANTM)

Martha Henderson and Laura Lizer
Nina Yankovic and her mom Suzanne Yankovic with Trisha Cardoso and her daughter Ava Cardoso-Smith

Musicial Bobi Andonov, Excellence in Mentorship Award Honoree Mike Daly, and Cal Fussman

BBBSLA President and CEO Olivia Diaz-Lapham, BBBSLA 2019 Excellence in Mentorship Award Honorees Mike Daly and Trisha Cardoso, and BBBSLA Board President Brock Moseley.