The Inner City Destiny Awards Honors Unsung Heroes, Leaders, and Celebrities Making a Difference in our Innercities.

OVERVIEW: THE 13TH ANNUAL INNERCITY DESTINY AWARDS

Coach Ken Carter, the real-life inspiration of Paramount’s “Coach Carter” movie starring Samuel Jackson, is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th Annual Los Angeles Inner City Destiny Awards on Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 7 p.m. in Hollywood. It will be hosted by UPN’s Elise Neal of the hit show, “All of Us” and produced by Tri Destined Studios, Hollywood’s premiere African-American Film and Television Studio.

In addition to the various well-deserving community leaders and citizens being honored, Hill Harper, scholar and star of CBS’s “C.S.I.: New York,” will receive the W.E.B. DuBois Scholar Award. The Outstanding Young Actor of the Year Award goes to C.J. Sanders who portrayed Ray Charles as a child in the outstanding motion picture, “Ray. Dr. Mathias Fobi, inventor of the medical breakthrough Fobi pouch, will accept the Pioneer Award. A "surprise" leadership award will be given to Past LA Police Chief, Bernard Parks and his wife Bobby Parks for their lasting commitment to the innercity.

Joining us as presenters straight from the red carpet – Dule Hill of WB’s “West Wing,” Kellita Smith of Fox’s “The Bernie Mac Show,” Khamani Griffin of UPN’s “All of Us,” James Lesure, Jr. of NBC’s “Las Vegas,” Kenya Moore, “Cloud Nine.” and former Miss USA, and Jo Marie Payton of “Family Matters.” This year’s Black tie event will also be blessed with a musical performance by “American Idol” finalists, Corey Clark and Rickey Smiley. Ak’sent of the “Coach Carter” soundtrack will rap. Legendary singer, Ms. Patti Labelle will give a special presentarion to Jeffrey Coprich and the Innercity Mass Choir.

The Inner City Destiny Awards is a vision of the Los Angeles Inner City Mass Choir which rose from the ashes of this city’s 1992 riots. It’s testimony – hope, because the young choir members, who primarily live in Watts, not only sing when they gather, but they talk and share and encourage each other to stay positive while “living in the ‘hood.” For instance, the choir members were there for each other when one of their own was mistakenly shot seven times and killed during a drive-by shooting. One of the evening’s awards is given in her honor.

Highly acclaimed, the choir -- who claims singing and movie megastar Tyrese as a former member -- has performed with Patti LaBelle, Celine Dion, Yolanda Adams and Shirley Caesar to name a few. They have appeared at the Democratic National Convention and the Pre-Oscar Awards Show. The choir’s performance will also highlight the show.