The East Bay Awards honors exemplary individuals and corporations in the Bay Area for their leadership and giving back to the community. In addition, this premier black-tie gala event raises funds for the Bay Area Leadership Foundation's ACCESS program and scholarship fund. The 2012 Gala is dedicated to eleven years of service to deserving youth in our most disadvantaged communities.
"In today's economy, we feel it is all the more important to recognize those who think of others first and celebrate those contributions to our community," said Vintage Foster, founder of the Bay Area Leadership Foundation and the East Bay Awards.
The 2011 10th Annual East Bay Leadership Award honorees were recognized for making a major impact for the betterment of the East Bay community:
- Citizen of the Year: Eddie M. Downer, III, Chairman Emeritus of the Mechanics Bank Board of Directors
- Corporate Citizen of the Year: Chevron
- Community Service Award: Mary V. King, ex-oficio, Alameda County Board of Supervisors and social justice advocate
- Youth Award: Francis Clavel, a senior at Pittsburg High School
