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Samuel L. Jackson, Amy Brenneman, Ray Romano, Regina King turn out for ‘I Have a Dream’ Gospel Brunch

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The ‘I Have a Dream’ Foundation-Los Angeles staged its annual Gospel Brunch on Sunday, with Amy Brenneman of “Private Practice” playing host to an audience that included Ray Romano, Noah Wyle, Regina King, Michael Cudlitz and Scott Bakula, among 400 other guests.

On the program: a brunch buffet, gospel choir and presentations of the 2011 Dream Keeper Awards to Earl E. Gales Jr. and Michael Wright. Gales is chairman of the architectural construction management firm Jenkins/Gales & Martinez; Wright is executive VP of TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies.

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Nancy Cotton used the word ‘uplifting’ to describe the fundraiser at Hollywood’s House of Blues, with Kelly Goode adding, ‘We didn’t want something traditional -- this way, people can bring their kids.’ Cotton, Goode and Laurie Zaks were the event co-chairs.

The foundation, inspired by the ideals of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., fosters the academic development of schoolchildren from low income communities. Wright, Hill Harper of ‘CSI: NY’ and Steven Spielberg, via videotape, all quoted the civil rights leader.

‘Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase,’ said Wright, on accepting his award.

Samuel L. Jackson, a 2006 honoree, presented the award to Gales and mentioned, later, that he would soon be playing King on Broadway in the play ‘The Mountaintop.’

Also present: Grant Little and board members Susan Sprung, Christiane Cuse, Laura Petrucci Carroll and Richard Wolf, plus several young ‘dreamers,’ a.k.a. students, who shared their success stories from the stage.

-- Ellen Olivier

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