The Derrick Bell Award recognizes social justice leaders for their body of work at the frontlines of activism, and whose work significantly influences social and racial justice efforts throughout California and the U.S.
Western Center on Law & Poverty
Annual Garden Party
Garden Party is a powerful evening of connection and purpose, honoring the leaders and advocates working to dismantle harmful systems and drive meaningful change across California and the nation.
The Garden Party
Garden Party is Western Center’s annual fundraising event that honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to social, racial & economic justice, either through their partnership with Western Center or through work in their respective fields.
Held annually, the event is attended by ~350 philanthropists, activists, businesspeople, legal services providers, attorneys, community-based partners, and friends. Garden Party raises approximately $700,000 each year to move Western Center’s work forward and puts a spotlight on our mission to end poverty in California. It is a night to celebrate Western Center’s staff who propel this work forward with unmatched expertise, fierce love, and radical hope for a thriving California.
2026 HONOREES
Father Gregory J. Boyle, S.J.
Founder of Homeboy Industries
Professor Ahilan Arulanantham
Professor from Practice and Faculty Co-Director of the Miñana Family Center for Immigration Law and Policy, UCLA School of Law
Lisa Newstrom
Managing Attorney, Bay Area Legal Aid
Previous Garden Parties
Garden Party Awards
Western Center’s Garden Party event recognizes leaders on the frontlines who have worked to transform policies and advocate for justice.
Each Honoree is chosen not only for their contribution to the legal, policy, and social justice fields, but most importantly for their leadership as racial and economic justice trailblazers.
Justice Earl Johnson created two of the most innovative ideas for providing legal services to people struggling in poverty — legal services support centers, such as the Western Center on Law & Poverty, and the Reginald Heber Smith law fellows–the ‘Reggies”, made up of top flight young lawyers who received special training and placement in legal services agencies around the country.
In Mary Burdick’s honor, each year at the Garden Party we celebrate an outstanding advocate who has made a measurable impact on improving economic, racial, and social justice, and dedicated their efforts to improving the lives of all Californians.
With this award, we honor the media-makers (TV, radio, newspapers) and new media (social media, blogs) who have used their platforms to raise public awareness, influence public discourse, and influence policymakers to create social and public policy changes.
Become a Garden Party Sponsor
Help honor the leaders and advocates working to dismantle harmful systems and drive meaningful change across California and the nation.
Locations
3701 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 208
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213.487.7211
1107 Ninth Street, Suite 680
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.442.0753
449 Fifteenth Street, Suite 301
Oakland, CA 94612
213.487.7211
Fax # 213.487.0242
Mail Contact us via email
