KIM COLES RETURNS TO HOST THE 45TH ANNUAL CHARITY & SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT GALA
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Award-winning actress, comedian, producer, and co-host of the “Reliving Single” podcast Kim Coles is back. The Association of Black Women Physicians (ABWP) proudly announces that Coles, who previously hosted the gala in 2024, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for its 45th Annual Charity & Scholarship Benefit Gala. The “Legends & Legacy” celebration will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at The Beverly Hilton, beginning at 7:00 PM.
Proceeds will support student scholarships, physician mentorship programs, and community health initiatives, and will benefit the Rebecca Lee Crumpler Scholarships, named for the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States.
“Representation in medicine isn’t symbolic. It’s a matter of health outcomes. When we invest in Black women physicians, we invest in healthier communities.” — Dr. Anastasia Williams, ABWP President
THE HONOREES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
ABWP founding president Jessie L. Sherrod, MD, MPH, presented by The Honorable Mablean Ephriam. HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD: Toluwalásé “Lasé” A. Ajayi, MD, FAAP, FAAHPM, chair of the American Medical Association Board of TrusteesHUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD: Brandi K. Freeman, MD, MS, FAAP, 127th president of the National Medical Association.SPECIAL VISIONARY AWARD: Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, member of the 2026 Time 100 Creators List, board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and bestselling author.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Guests will enjoy performances by Live Jazz LA, an R&B and jazz ensemble, and THE (ICYOLA) Jazz Ensemble of the Inner-City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles.
THE MISSION
Since its founding in 1982, ABWP has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to help reduce financial barriers for women pursuing medical careers. Its “Sister-to-Sister” program connects pre-med students, medical students, and physicians-in-training with experienced mentors.
ABWP President-Elect Dr. Dominique Woods emphasized that rising educational costs and funding cuts make scholarship support and long-term mentorship especially important for future physicians. Current sponsors include Cooperative of American Physicians, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and Dr. Carl Truesdale.
For event and ticket information, visit www.blackwomenphysicians.org.
ABOUT ABWP: Founded in 1982, the Association of Black Women Physicians is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Black women in medicine and improving community health through scholarships, mentoring, education, and advocacy.
