LA's Promise Honors Ryan Seacrest at 2011 Gala

LA's Promise, a nonprofit organization working to radically shift the education, health and social outcomes for youth in South Los Angeles,  holds its 2011 Gala today at 6 p.m. at Hollywood's Kodak Theater, featuring an exclusive private screening of Cirque du Soleil's first Los Angeles resident show, IRIS. The 2011 LA's Promise Gala promises to be an unforgettable evening as LA's Promise pays tribute to successful Hollywood TV and radio host and producer Ryan Seacrest.

"Ryan Seacrest is an extraordinary talent but he's also an exceptionally good person. He gives his time and energy to youth programs and strives to make a difference in kids' lives," said Megan Chernin, LA's Promise Board Chair. "We're grateful for all his support and we're looking forward to honoring Ryan and celebrating LA's Promise breakthrough year of huge academic gains. The event helps provide vital funding to fulfill our promise to the 8,000 students in our care."

"This year's honoree is a pioneer is in his own right," observed Mike McGalliard, LA's Promise President and CEO. "Ryan represents the spirit of our organization in both his work and his philanthropic endeavors, transforming the lives of children and families who live within LA's Promise Neighborhood."

Seacrest holds preeminent positions in broadcast television, nationally syndicated radio, local radio and cable as both a producer and on-air host. He is celebrated internationally as host of the top-rated primetime talent showcase "American Idol," and hosts and produces E! News and its red carpet awards show coverage. He also serves as an executive producer and co-hosts "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." He has been nominated for an Emmy® award in the "Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program" category for his work on "American Idol," and has also hosted the live network broadcast of the Emmy® awards show. On radio, Seacrest is host of "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," his market-topping #1 nationally syndicated LA morning drive-time radio show for Clear Channel's 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as a nationally-syndicated Top 40 radio show. Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) is a leading television Production Company. RSP produces the hit series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," the highest-rated show on the E! network and the spin-offs "Khloe and Lamar," "Kourtney and Khloe Take New York" and "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami." RSP also produced the Emmy® award winning ABC reality series "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution."

Beyond his many career accomplishments, Seacrest is also committed to giving back to the community and helping those in need, and he has been especially dedicated to working with youth-oriented programs and causes. Through the Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF), Seacrest recently embarked on an initiative to build broadcast media centers within hospitals for children to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. He has launched two broadcast centers in Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. LA's Promise also recently worked with Ryan and his team at Ryan Seacrest Productions on the second season of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," to help push forward an aggressive campaign focused on healthy eating in Los Angeles.

2011 Event Chairs include Wallis Annenberg, Gretchen and Steve Burke, Megan and Peter Chernin, Randy Jackson, Kathy and John Kissick, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, Robert Pittman, Marina Berti and Stephen Prough, Cheryl and Haim Saban, Kevin Sharer, Cindy and Sheldon Stone.
Confirmed sponsors to date include Activision, Amgen, Annenberg Foundation, Chernin Family Foundation, Clear Channel Radio, Comcast, O'Melveny and Myers LLP, Saban Family Foundation Salem Partners, and Twentieth Century Fox.

The LA's Promise Gala has recognized some of the most prominent businessmen and entertainers including Tom Cruise, Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall and Kevin Sharer.

The evening includes a two-hour pre-party in the Grand Ballroom followed by the full showing of IRIS in the Theatre. For sponsorship opportunities, tickets or additional information regarding LA's Promise Gala, please visit www.laspromise.org or contact Levy Pazanti at (310) 201-5033. Individual tickets are available for $500 with sponsorships ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Advertising opportunities are available in the special commemorative Gala Journal.

ABOUT LA's PROMISE
LA's Promise, a nonprofit organization, is working to radically shift the education, health and social outcomes for thousands of youth in one South Los Angeles community. This will accomplish a "neighborhood turnaround" in an area we call LA's Promise Neighborhood. LA's Promise Neighborhood is an enrollment zone that includes two large South LA high schools and one middle school operated by LA's Promise on a first-of-its- kind performance contract with LAUSD. Within this zone, LA's Promise transforms chronically failing public schools, opens new schools and re-makes schools into community hubs that offer comprehensive support services for students and families. By doing this, LA's Promise will prepare every child in LA's Promise Neighborhood to be college-ready, healthy and successful in life. LA's Promise also screens and manages more than 50 partners who support these school communities by providing over 200 wraparound services.
LA's Promise is a leader in the national school turnaround movement, showing undeniable results, rapid improvements and early dramatic gains. To learn more about LA's Promise visit www.laspromise.org.

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff

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