Los Angeles—California Assemblyman Mike Davis (D-48) hosted the Second Annual 48th District’s African American History Month “Living Legends Award Ceremony” on February 7, 2008, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the California African American History Museum, 600 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037.   This year’s award ceremony honored Grammy Award winner Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds for his lifelong creative and business contributions to the music industry, as well as his continued involvement in numerous social and philanthropic efforts.   

“It is important to recognize the contributions of African Americans to American History,” stated Assemblyman Davis. “This year we are pleased to recognize Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds who has distinguished himself as a songwriter, performer, and producer of films. His original love songs and his remakes of songs are unforgettably an integral part of American History. He has won 10 Grammy Awards for his work and we are proud, in the State of California, to name him a Living Legend,” revealed Assemblyman Mike Davis.

Over six hundred constituents and community leaders showed up to pay tribute to the extraordinary musical career of Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. A highlight of the ceremony was a surprise guest performance by the Grammy award winning quartet, “Boys II Men”, who performed their hits “End of the Road”, and “I’ll Make Love to You”, which were both written and produced by Edmonds in 1992. R&B recording artist Howard Hewitt also performed his song “This is for the Lover in You”, which was later remade by Edmonds and rapper LL Cool J. The event also featured an introduction by three time Grammy award winning music producer Antonio “LA” Reid.

The ceremony coincided with African-American History Month and honored African Americans who have made significant contributions, past and present, to society.  This was the second “Living Legends” awards ceremony hosted by Assemblyman Davis. Last year’s ceremony honored Grammy Award winning pioneer Dionne Warwick.

The event was held during Grammy Awards Weekend in Los Angeles and co-hosted with the Inner-Agency-Council, a non-profit community based program.

Corporate sponsorship of this annual historical program included:  AEG; BET; Coca Cola, North America; American Airlines; Sempra Energy; Time Warner Cable; Wells Fargo Bank; Bank of America; Anheuser Busch Companies; California Cable & Telecommunication Association; Northrup Gruman; Enterprise Rental Cars; Comcast Cable; and Verizon Wireless.

For more information, contact Assemblyman Davis’s District Office at (213) 744-2111.