Join Dr. Gloria Zuurveen at the BHERC “A Great Day in Black Hollywood” Celebration at the Regal L. A. Live!

LOS ANGELES—The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) is proud to invite the community to celebrate Dr. Gloria Zuurveen as she is honored with the prestigious 2024 Community Service Award.

This recognition will take place during the 30th Annual S.E. Manly African-American Short Film Festival, held from November 15-17, 2024, in Los Angeles. The award presentation will be a key feature of the festival’s signature event, “A Great Day in Black Hollywood,” on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Regal L.A. LIVE Theaters, located at 1000 West Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015. The celebration will culminate with a Closing Night event on Sunday, November 17.

Sandra J. Evers-Manly, BHERC President, shared her thoughts on Dr. Zuurveen’s award, stating, “The presentation of the Community Service Award is a recognition of Dr. Zuurveen’s incredible and lasting contributions over the years. Her impact stretches across youth advocacy, journalism, media, and the African-American community at large. As the founder and publisher of PACE News, the first African-American woman appointed to the Los Angeles Press Club, and the founder of the nonprofit PACE (Parent Action Coalition for Education), Dr. Zuurveen’s work has empowered and uplifted countless individuals. Her advocacy in public education, her role as a licensed minister, and her dedication to social justice through journalism are just a few facets of her remarkable career. We are beyond excited to celebrate her achievements.”

“A Great Day in Black Hollywood,” the festival’s red-carpet opening night, is a marquee event honoring trailblazing African-American icons,       pioneers, and leaders in the film and television industries. It also shines a spotlight on a new generation of filmmakers who continue to elevate and tell our stories.

Dr. Zuurveen joins a distinguished list of past honorees, including sound editor Bobbi Banks, ACE film editor Lillian Benson, actor and director Ivan Dixon, producer Preston Holmes, and acclaimed directors F. Gary Gray, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Oz Scott, and Paris Barclay, among others. Her addition to this roster is a well-deserved recognition of her tireless dedication to community service and impactful journalism. The S.E. Manly African-American Short Film Festival was established to celebrate and showcase the work of emerging African-American filmmakers, providing them with a platform to share their stories while connecting with industry professionals.

Over the three-day festival, attendees will be treated to an entertaining and thought-provoking cinematic experience, as the featured filmmakers screen their short films. Audiences can expect films that inspire, challenge, and spark conversation, as well as documentaries that evoke laughter, introspection, and a renewed sense of community. Along with film screenings, the festival will offer workshops, panel discussions, and special events tailored to aspiring filmmakers and fans alike.

The festival, taking place at Regal L.A. LIVE Theaters, will run from November 15-17, 2024, bringing together a rich array of talents from across the entertainment industry.