2016 Ambassadors for Humanity Gala to Honor Mellody Hobson and George Lucas

USC School of Cinematic Arts alum and patron George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson will be honored December 8 at the 2016 Ambassadors for Humanity Gala in Los Angeles, with the USC Shoah Foundation - Institute for Visual History and Education’s 2016 Ambassador for Humanity Award. Other attendees include director, screenwriter, producer, editor and founder of the USC Shoah Foundation Steven Spielberg; veteran of Lucas’ movies Harrison Ford; and other special guests.

Lucas and Hobson are being honored for their steadfast commitment to dynamic and innovative humanitarian efforts, and their longtime support of USC Shoah Foundation. In being honored, they join an inspiring group of past honorees.

“Mellody and George are worthy recipients who understand the importance of vigilance and education in countering hatred around the world,” Spielberg said. “We are pleased to recognize them for their remarkable commitment to education and diversity, to visual arts and storytelling and to leveraging technology for humanitarian efforts.”

A sweepstakes in connection with the gala is open now, giving you the opportunity to meet both Lucas and Spielberg. No donation is required, but entrants are definitely encouraged to donate to the effort of the USC Shoah Foundation through the Ambassadors for Humanity campaign. The money raised will help USC Shoah Foundation expand its award-winning IWitness website, develop more content for educators globally, expand access to the Visual History Archive, support testimony preservation and much more.

“As we see the continuing rise of hatred and racism, the work of the Institute is as important as ever,” Executive Director of USC Shoah Foundation Stephen Smith, said. “We are pleased to honor Mellody and George who embody the Institute’s mission and goals, and have an opportunity to join forces to bring attention and awareness to our mutual educational efforts.”

If you’re selected as a sweepstakes winner, you and a guest will receive round-trip airfare and transportation, hotel accommodations and tickets to the Ambassadors for Humanity Gala in Los Angeles, where you’ll meet and take pictures with Lucas and Spielberg in support of USC Shoah Foundation’s efforts to change the world through testimony.

Past Gala attendees include President Barack Obama; last year’s host Golden Globe-winning, Emmy and Academy Award nominated actor, Steve Carell; last year’s special guest, Emmy and Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry; last year’s entertainer, Grammy Award winner James Taylor; USC President C. L. Max Nikias and Steven Kay, dean of the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; musician Bruce Springsteen; talk-show host Conan O’Brien; actress Barbra Streisand; actor Samuel L. Jackson; and many others.

To enter the sweepstakes, visit USC Shoah Foundation’s home page, click on the Sweepstakes banner to access the Sweepstakes Website and follow all entry instructions. The portal is open through Sunday, Nov. 20, and a winner will be chosen at random Monday, Nov. 21. The sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States or D.C., age 21 and older.

For more information about the gala, or to purchase tickets, call the USC Shoah Foundation Benefit Line at 818-779-4933, or email ambassadorsgala@usc.edu. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.