Church Of God In Christ Bishop Charles E. Blake Receives L.A. Urban League's Whitney M. Young Award

Bishop Charles E. Blake, pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, reportedly the largest Black church in California, was recently honored as recipient of the 27th Annual Whitney M. Young Award given by the Los Angeles Urban League.

At the black-tie gala attended by 1,700 at the posh Century Plaza Hotel that featured Smokey Robinson as the evening's entertainment, Blake was presented the award by John W. Mack, president of the organization.

More than 16,000 members worship at West Angeles and Blake, assisted by pledges from Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Denzel Washington, is in the midst of constructing a new facility for the region's fast-growing membership.

The renowned religious leader was honored by the organization for his philanthropic efforts and community outreach programs.

In presenting the Whitney M. Young Award, whose namesake served as executive director of the National Urban League from 1961 until his death in 1971, Mack called Blake "a modern-day prophet for the new millennium.

"He is recognized both nationally and internationally for his superb leadership that brings together the religious and secular worlds for the betterment of all humankind," Mack said.