LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2017 City Summit and Gala, working to advance community through humanitarian events, today announced that Academy award-winning actress Halle Berry will be the special guest speaker for the premier City Summit event, presented by Entrepreneur magazine, on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the USC Tower – South Park Center in downtown Los Angeles, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The event precedes the second-annual City Gala on Feb. 12, at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The City Summit and City Gala are humanitarian events that bring highly accomplished and visible artists, business leaders, and individuals together with an eye toward giving forward and adding value to worthy start-up and lesser-known charitable organizations.
Halle Berry’s award-winning film career has spanned more than two decades. She is the first African-American woman to receive a Best Actress award, winning an Oscar for her starring role in the 2002 film “Monsters Ball.“ Berry is heavily involved in philanthropic endeavors and was the first celebrity ambassador for the Diabetes Aware campaign. She is best known, however, for her work with the Jenesse Center, which helps families affected by domestic abuse. Berry will discuss her important work with the organization, and her passion for assisting and empowering women and children in the community, with a select group of attendees at the inaugural City Summit event.
For business owners and leaders, the newly launched City Summit presents a rare opportunity for business networking and relationships at the highest level. Multiple leaders of other award-winning conferences are among the panelists and speakers at the City Summit event. As a business relationship opportunity, the City Summit represents the best of the best, and provides inspiring knowledge and education about how to overcome adversity and accomplish inconceivable goals.
The City Summit will be moderated by author and entrepreneur Greg S. Reid, and will feature billionaires, elite business professionals, and celebrities who will share their knowledge, backgrounds, business techniques and advice.
The City Summit will also include the following speakers and participants:
- Anthony Mackie, American film and stage actor
- Jeff Timmons, Singer and Founding Member, 98 Degrees
- John Greathouse, Contributor, Wall Street Journal
- Will Pomerantz, Vice President, Virgin Galactic
- Scott Parazynski, Former NASA Astronaut
- Michael Murphy, Development Director, Google, Inc.
- David R. Bradford, Executive Chairman, HireVue
- David Meltzer, CEO, Sports1 Marketing
- Forbes Riley, Host, Forbes Living TV
- Scott Duffy, Founder, Smart Charter
- Christian Collins, Creator, Weekly Chris
- Alan Taylor, Contributor, USA Today Networks
- Tom Bilyeu, Founder, Quest Nutrition
- Jason Sisneros, CEO, Anton Jae Global
- Cynthia Kersey, Founder, Unstoppable Foundation
- Jay Cohen, Partner, Gersh Agency
- Tracy Hazzard, Contributor, Inc. magazine
Said City Summit & Gala Founder and Executive Producer Ryan Long, “We are tremendously honored to present our 2017 program in support of the International Arts & Philanthropy Foundation (IAP), which provides funding in support of arts, education, early childhood development and the Breed Life program, which supports and facilitates the gift of life through live organ donation.”
In the coming days, City Summit & Gala will announce additional keynote speakers for the 2017 event.
About City Gala
Since its inception in 2015, the City Gala program has raised funds and awareness in support of non-profit, charitable organizations. Based on its success, the program has expanded in 2017 to include the City Summit, a full-day and evening entertainment and networking experience that brings together the highest level of entertainment and business leaders in a common agenda of social consciousness, achievement and a dedication to giving forward to worthy humanitarian programs throughout the world.
The City Summit is a business conference and networking event that takes place on Saturday Feb. 11 at the USC Tower – South Park Center. Red Carpet for the Summit will begin at 8:00 a.m.
