In celebration of Black History Month, Planned Parenthood Action Fund is partnering with ESSENCE to recognize 99 trailblazers in the African-American community who have been instrumental in the fight for reproductive rights justice.
ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Vanessa K. De Luca is one of the honorees who will be toasted at 99 Dream Keepers, a private reception to be held Feb. 12 in New York City.
Divided into six categories, 99 Dream Keepers salutes media and journalists (“The Storytellers”), entertainers (“The Tastemakers”), public advocates (“The Do’ers”), faith leaders (“The Gatekeepers”), corporate employees (“The Powerplayers”) and politicians (“The Defenders”). Other honorees include Selma director Ava DuVernay, transgender advocate and actress Laverne Cox, journalists and ESSENCE contributors Melissa Harris-Perry and Zerlina Maxwell, actress Gabrielle Union and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
“We honor the 99 Dream Keepers who continue to stand with us in our commitment to better health care and economic outcomes for the Black community,” said Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, in a press release. “Whether they use their influence to keep Black lives at the forefront of the conversation about justice or the silent soldiers who provide strength from within, we are grateful for their leadership, courage and tenacity to break down barriers towards the achievement of equality.”
Visit PlannedParenthoodAction.org for a full list of honorees.