The American Spirit Awards

The Caucus presents the American Spirit Award recognizing outstanding individuals who support, protect, and promote the interests of storytellers including Producers, Writers, and Directors. It also recognizes outstanding individuals who are prominently engaged in Entertainment, Television, Sports, Cable, and New Media. Recipients are chosen annually from national, state and local sectors including government and public officials and members of the Industry as noted above. Also an additional American Spirit Award is presented to a Humanitarian who is also a Producer, Writer, or Director.

The American Spirit Award was founded by, Lionel Chetwynd on Vin Di Bona’s watch as Caucus Chair in 2004.

Hollywood, CA — The Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors ’13th Annual American Spirit Awards ceremony and luncheon was filled with joy as they honored outstanding individuals who support, protect, and promote the interests of storytellers.

Henry Winker shared stories of his long-standing career which brought down the packed house with a standing ovation. The Caucus was proud to recognize other outstanding individuals whose work and commitment exemplifies the American Spirit including Distinguished War Veterans, Educators, Humanitarians and worthy Caucus members whose work makes us proud. They included Larry King, the iconic Peabody- and Emmy-Award-winning broadcaster, with the American Spirit Award, accepted by his friend LA Dodgers Announcer Charley Steiner.

Photo L-R: Professor Hal Walker and Dr. Betty Walker

Photo credit: Steve Cohn Photography

Photo L-R: Honorees Henry Winkler, Cristina Kotz Cornejo and Chase Millsap

Photo credit: Steve Cohn Photography

Receiving the Humanitarian Award were Professor Hildreth (Hal) Walker and Dr. Bettye Walker presented by the Caucus’ James Hirsch. Hal Walker, truly a “hidden figure”, successfully fired the Ruby Laser to Buzz Aldrin on the moon during the Apollo landing. With his wife, Dr. Bettye Walker, a pioneer of STEM education, a university professor and an LAUSD school principal, the couple founded the A-MAN, Inc. STEM Center in Inglewood and also initiated it in South Africa at the request of President Nelson Mandela. In February 2019 they opened the first chapter of the National Space Society (NSS) on the African continent.

The Caucus Distinguished Veteran Award went to Chase Millsap, a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army Special Forces, filmmaker, and Chief Content Officer at We Are the Mighty, a military and veteran focused media company, presented by Norman Powell.

The Caucus Special Achievement in Educating New Filmmakers was given to Cristina Kotz Cornejo, Professor and Associate Chair of Production in the Department of Visual and Media Arts at Emerson College, Boston, presented by The Caucus’ Gary Grossman.

The Caucus Co-Chairs Robert Papazian and Tanya Hart, along with Chuck Fries, Chair of Caucus Events, Gary Smith, American Spirit Awards Chair, Vice Chairs, Sharon Arnett, James Hirsch and Vin Di Bona and Executive Director Deborah Leoni, are proud to recognize these deserving individuals and their service to others.

The American Spirit Award was founded by, Lionel Chetwynd on Vin Di Bona’s watch as Caucus Chair in 2004.

PAST AMERICAN SPIRIT AWARDS HONOREES

2018
American Spirit Award – Leron Gubler, President /CEO Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Caucus Legend Award—Richard Colla, Director/Actor
Humanitarian Award Honorees—Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson
Distinguished War Veteran—US Army Medal of Honor Veteran John Baca
Special Achievement in Educating New Filmmakers—Jan Krawitz, Film Professor, Stanford University

2016
American Spirit Award – Paul Krekorian . Los Angele City Councilman
Caucus Legend Award—Dennis Doty, Producer
Humanitarian Award Honorees—Rocky Caroll, Actor/Director & Gabrielle Bullock, Architect
Distinguished War Veteran—War Veteran, Marine Sargent Nick Popapitch
Special Achievement in Educating New Filmmakers—Sheryl Antonio, Associate Dean, NYU

2014
American Spirit Award – Brad Sherman, Congressman, California 30 (D)
American Spirit Award—Michael D. Antonovich Los Angeles County Supervisor
American Spirit Award—Chuck Fries, Co-Founder & President, The Caucus Foundation CEO Fries Productions
Caucus Legend Award—Jerry Isenberg Executive Producer, Co-Founder & Executive VP, The Caucus Foundation Past Chair, The Caucus Special Achievement in Educating New Filmmakers—Alan L. Gansberg, Dean Columbia College Hollywood