Robert Rodriguez has promise…
L.A.’s Promise will honor the 46-year-old Mexican American at its annual gala.
The nonprofit organization aims to improve public schooling in south Los Angeles, with a coverage area that includes two high schools (Manual Arts and West Adams Prep) and one middle school (John Muir). Its initiatives to increase the schools’ performance and involvement in the community are funded in part by the annual gala.
Rodriguez and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman Jeff Shell will be feted at the event, which will be held on September 30 at Universal Studios Hollywood‘s Globe Theatre.
“Our 2014 honorees have a long history of advancing the educational opportunities for underserved communities like the students that L.A.’s Promise serves,” the organization’s president and CEO Veronica Melvin said in a statement. “Jeff and Robert have lent their names and their time to our initiatives in order to help lead the charge in preparing every child in our LA’s Promise Neighborhood to be college and career-ready, healthy and successful in life.”
Rodriguez launched his own cable network, the El Rey Network, in 2013. Its programming includes Matador and From Dusk Till Dawn, an adaptation of his Quentin Tarantino-scripted vampire film. Rodriguez’s film directorial credits include Sin City, Spy Kids and the Machete franchise.
Shell will be present at the event, but Rodriguez is unable to attend.
This year’s event chairs include Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, J.J. Abrams and NBCUniversal vice chairman Ron Meyer; previous honorees include Ryan Seacrest, Tom Cruise and Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos.
In conjunction with the gala, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park will be opened for 1,200 L.A.’s Promise students for the evening. The gala attendees will have the opportunity to join them after a cocktail reception and awards ceremony.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate students’ success than to reward them with a night of fun and adventure through the theme park,” L.A.’s Promise board co-chair Frank Marshall said in the statement.