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The Heart Foundation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's
A Tribute to Berry Gordy
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy was honored by the Heart Foundation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with the Steven S. Cohen Humanitarian award for his dedicated support of the foundation and his accomplishments and contributions to society.
Other attendees included Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier and past honoree Norman Brokaw. The event took place on June 7 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and was emceed by Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart.
Gordy’s career goes beyond music into producing, directing, boxing and teaching. Motown records became an music icon under his leadership and the company bridged communication between races in a segregated society. “Lady Sings the Blues”, a Billie Holiday biopic starring Diana Ross, was the first film he produced and it earned five Academy Award nominations. He has received four honorary doctorates and has touched many lives through his leadership and contributions to music and society.
The Steven S. Cohen Humanitarian award was created to honor individuals who strive to make change in communities and show determination to better humankind. Past recipients include Kirk and Anne Douglas and Marshall Ezralow. Next year’s recipient is Wolfgang Puck. The award was named in memory of Steven S. Cohen, a husband and father, who died suddenly from sudden cardiac death at 35.
The Heart Foundation supports the research of Dr. P.K. Shah and his colleagues at Cedars-Sinai. They are looking to prevent and cure heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States today. It was founded in 1996. For more information on the organization, visit www.theheartfoundation.org
