Danny Bakewell Sr., a civil rights activist and entrepreneur, will share his legacy of advocacy and social justice work during a conversation at the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 11:30 a.m. in St. Robert’s Auditorium.
Hosted by Ethnic and Intercultural Services, Campus Ministry, the Office of Black Student Services, and African American Studies, this signature event brings the campus community together for a day of remembrance and reflection on the life and legacy of Dr. King. Bakewell will also be honored with the annual LMU Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Social Justice. The service will feature student speaker Mariah Allen ’26, a first-year political science major and Intercultural Facilitator. Marne Campbell, Ph.D., chair of African American Studies, will lead the conversation and Q&A session with Bakewell.
“Bakewell has done so much for the community,” said Henry Ward, assistant dean for Ethnic and Intercultural Services. “He’s an ordinary man, who has done extraordinary things and is recognized nationwide for activism, but many of his roots are right here in Los Angeles. I want our students to know that advocacy work doesn’t just look one way, and it’s not just about being on the frontlines of protesting. There are other ways to stay involved with the community.”
Bakewell was born in New Orleans, attended college in Arizona, and arrived in L.A. at the height of the turbulent 60s. It was then, during the Civil Rights Era, that he started down the path toward community empowerment. Best known as one of L.A.’s most influential business people and community leaders, Bakewell has been blazing trails for others and has been for 30 years at the helm of the Brotherhood Crusade, which has now become the most-prominent African American philanthropic institution in the country.
Under Bakewell’s guidance and bold leadership, the Brotherhood Crusade has provided more than $50 million to community programs and services throughout Southern California. His trademark is his visceral commitment to serve as a voice for the voiceless. “It is my hope that we will someday live in a nation where there is no need for a global Brotherhood Crusade and its family of agencies. But, until that day arrives, I will continue working for the betterment of my community with my last breath,” said Bakewell.
“When we talk about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., our students know his story from what they’ve learned, but they’ve never had an opportunity to meet and interact with someone who has dedicated their life to social justice work,” said Ward. “Danny Bakewell is one of those individuals they have an opportunity to reach out to, ask questions, and talk to at this year’s service. It’s not every day our students and our community get an opportunity like this to interact.”
Bakewell has transitioned from the Brotherhood Crusade, where he did a lot of his advocacy work, to be the chairman of Bakewell Media, owners of The Los Angeles Sentinel, the largest black newspaper in the country and The L.A. Watts Times. Upon acquiring The Sentinel, Bakewell said, “We consider it an honor, privilege, and awesome responsibility to be in the position of influencing Black thought and reporting the news affecting Black people accurately.” In 2009, Bakewell was elected chairman of the National Newspapers Publishers Association, consisting of more than 200 Black newspapers throughout the country.
“The work Bakewell is doing now with The Los Angeles Sentinel, and with the annual Taste of Soul festival, are all ways he continues his advocacy work and keeps supporting the Black community every day,” said Ward.
Bakewell has been recognized by the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, and received numerous awards including the JFK Profiles in Courage Award by the Democratic Party, the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus’ Adam Clayton Powell Award and the Roy Wilkins Award.