The Equal Justice Society will honor Quinn Delaney and Wayne Jordan, Elizabeth Cabraser, and Henry L. Hecht with Champions of Justice awards at our annual gala on December 10 at The UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave, Berkeley, Calif. from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
EJS Board Chair Michael Harris will present the awards at the event, which is also our retirement party for founding President Eva Paterson who retired on August 31, 2022, and was succeeded by Lisa Holder.
Quinn Delaney and Wayne Jordan are philanthropists and founders of the Akonadi Foundation. When we founded EJS more than 20 years ago, Quinn and Wayne committed to fund us for three years. That provided us with financial security and gave us the confidence to move forward. They have continued to generously support EJS consistently through the years. Without Quinn and Wayne, we would not have been able to accomplish many aspects of our broad and ambitious agenda.
Elizabeth J. Cabraser, a Partner at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. She was a critical donor to the Reclaiming Progressive Justice summit in 2001, the first major project by EJS. In 2018, Ms. Cabraser provided us with another generous gift to help EJS reactivate its Judge Constance Baker Motley Civil Rights Fellowship. Elizabeth’s support for the fellowship means that EJS can play an even stronger role in fighting back against the growing oppression and cruelty that are threatening the fabric of our country and indeed the world.
Professor Henry L. Hecht is the Herma Hill Kay Lecturer in Residence at Berkeley Law. He has provided significant support for a new staff attorney position, for several implicit bias conferences, and was instrumental in funding the full-length “Remembering 1619” video, which captured the captivating and illuminating artistic performance marking the suffering and triumph, sorrows, and joy of Black people during the past four centuries. Henry provided a gift for our 2022 gala matching dollar for dollar every new sponsorship up to $100,000.
Quinn and Wayne, Elizabeth, and Henry are each treasured supporters, donors, and dear friends. The awards we present to them on December 10 cannot fully express our immense gratitude to these pillars of our organization and of our community.