Rev. Jesse Jackson celebrates 62nd birthday and honors outstanding leaders

Jet, Nov 3, 2003

More than 900 people helped the Rev. Jesse Jackson celebrate his 62nd birthday at the 6th Annual Rainbow/PUSH Awards Dinner in Los Angeles.

In addition to celebrating Rev. Jackson's birthday, the awards dinner also honored the work of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, actor-director Rob Reiner, entrepreneur Johnel Langerston, National Baptist Missionary Conference of America President Melvin Von Wade and Los Angeles labor leader Miguel Contreras. The late Major League Baseball player and coach Bobby Bonds posthumously received the 2003 Curt Flood Profiles In Courage Award for his contributions to the game.

The annual affair has become one of Los Angeles's premiere events. Jackson said it is designed "to honor individuals who have worked to effect immeasurable change in a wide range of areas." Johnson was honored for his business acumen and work with inner-city youth. He has built a $500 million business by creating affiliations with Starbuck's, Fridays restaurants and the AMC movie theater chain.

His Magic Johnson Foundation has awarded scholarships to 3,000 students to attend college.

Reiner and his wife, Michele, were lauded for their work with under-privileged babies. Their "I Am Your Child" Foundation has helped thousands of children and their parents receive pre-natal care. The organization's services extend from the prenatal period through 3 years old.

Reiner, whose career began as an actor on "TV's All in the Family," also has received major acclaim as a film writer and director.

Langerston had the evening's most inspirational story. He spent 10 years in prison for drug-dealing. After he was released, he turned his life around and worked as a graphic designer. His company, PHATEFX, now designs and markets for many of the top music and clothing companies in the country, including Sony, Virgin, Universal, MCA and DreamWorks.

Wade has been the leader of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America for a year. He is the pastor of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Among other community projects, his church has created a 40-unit senior citizen's housing complex in Los Angeles.

Contreras was saluted for his work as the highest-ranking Hispanic labor leader in California.

Entertainment was provided by singer Jeffrey Osborne and George Duke.