Glitz and Glamour at the 15th Annual Spirit of the Heart Awards

Hundreds gathered Saturday in the Wilshire Grand Center at the InterContinental Hotel Downtown where a live band serenaded guests in the massive atrium prior to entering the elegant ballroom.

The red carpet was a sight to behold as onlookers witnessed the arrivals of celebrities and medical practitioners who joined forces for a good cause. Guests had an opportunity to view and bid on the silent auction items and enjoy hors d’oeuvres which included lamb skewers and succulent jumbo shrimp.

Many dignitaries filled the room for the historic milestone and mayor Karen Bass opened with a supportive and uplifting welcome.

Actor Jocko Sims of New Amsterdam served as the ABC Honorary Co-Chair and wowed the audience with his heartfelt introduction and high-energy participation throughout the evening.

Sims scored huge donations for the organization when he surprisingly introduced his friend Natasha Rothwell to take photographs with audience members starting at $100 per photo.

Rothwell electrified the crowd when she made her way on stage. The crowd went wild when Sims stated, “If someone walks up right now and makes a thousand dollar donation to the Association of Black Cardiologists to take a selfie with Natasha Rothwell, she will match that thousand dollars.”

The clever tactic worked brilliantly and was the gift that kept on giving as donations skyrocketed throughout the evening.

Guests were able to feast on herb-crusted filet mignon and Chilean sea bass or vegan creole krab cakes with cajun ravigote oyster mushrooms, jasmine rice, and lemongrass-soy grilled asparagus. A flourless black forest cake with fresh berries and cream rounded out the splendid menu.

Honorees for the 2024 Spirit of the Heart Awards included Dr. Michelle Albert who received the Distinguished Leadership Award. The Balm in Gilead picked up the award for the Dr. Walter M. Booker, Sr. Health Promotion Award. The Health Equity Champion Award was presented to Biosense Webster. Dr. Foluso Fakorede was the recipient of the Public Policy Award.

Tina Perry, President of OWN Network received the Media Partner Award for OWN Your Health Campaign.

“Much like the Association of Black Cardiologists OWN Your Health promotes health and wellness in minority communities with an eye on eliminating disparities in care. And, further it’s through your partnership as leaders in health equity that we can support and promote healthier lifestyles,” Perry said.

“Thank you for honoring us tonight and our hearts are indeed touched,” the OWN executive stated.

Rounding out all of the awards was the Spirit of the Heart Award presented to the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention.

This year more than $100k in scholarships were handed out to medical students.

“Ten medical students were awarded $10,000 totaling $100k with the Biosense Webster Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year,” said Dr. Edna Sims, a spokesperson for the event.

“Five medical students will receive $5,000 totaling $25k for the Richard Allen Williams Scholarship. A total of $125k in scholarship donations this year,” Sims noted.

•••• •••• ••••• •••• ••••

About the Association of Black Cardiologists          Founded in 1974, the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. (ABC) is a nonprofit with a global membership exceeding 2,000 individuals, including health professionals, community health advocates, and corporate and institutional members. The ABC remains dedicated to its mission of promoting heart health and wellness in minority communities and eliminating disparities in cardiovascular care for all people, with a particular focus on Black Americans. Through advocacy, education, and research, ABC works to ensure that every person has the opportunity to achieve optimal heart health. Today, ABC’s public and private partnerships continue to make strides in improving cardiovascular outcomes in communities nationwide.