Last Saturday night, Lo Maximo, Homeboy Industries’ annual gala, honored Kim Kardashian for her work on criminal justice reform. She gave a personal and heartfelt acceptance speech and everyone was thrilled to have her there. For those of you unfamiliar with Homeboy Industries, it is the largest and most successful reentry program in the world. Formerly incarcerated men, women, boys and girls go through an 18 months training program that encompasses everything from tattoo removal to anger management, therapy, parenting, art, financial management classes, and much more. The homies and homegirls are paid during the 18 months and get help finding jobs when they’ve graduated.
I’m on the board and again hosted the event together with Rainn Wilson, Camilla Bell, and Lisa Ling.
We were lucky enough to be treated to a few songs from the one and only Babyface. He was terrific!
Another major highlight of the evening was when our CEO, Tom Vozzo, announced that Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboys some 33 years ago, was going to Washington this weekend to receive the most distinguished civilian honor there is: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Everyone on the board came on stage for the announcement. Of course, we all think Father Greg should be sainted for the unique and profound work he has done but the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a real wowzer!!!!