Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian joined elected officials, dignitaries, community leaders, and media outlets at the Truth And Accountability League (TAAL) event founded and hosted by journalist Vic Gerami, presented by Golden State Bank and underwritten by Mark Geragos.
“Commemoration must be more than remembrance. It must be a call to truth, accountability, and action in the face of ongoing injustice.” — Vic Gerami, Founder & Chair, Truth And Accountability League (TAAL)
Magazine, The Immigrant Experience
Los Angeles — Truth And Accountability League (TAAL) hosted its annual TAAL Remembrance & Honors: Armenian Genocide Commemoration & Awards on Friday evening at the Glendale Central Library Auditorium, marking the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and honoring distinguished leaders whose work reflects courage, public service, and commitment to justice.
Presented by Golden State Bank and underwritten by renowned attorney and philanthropist Mark Geragos, the event brought together elected officials, civic leaders, media representatives, and community members for an evening of remembrance, reflection, and recognition.
The program included remarks by Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian, as well as the presence of Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, Assemblymember Nick Schultz, Glendale Police Chief Robert William, representatives of Governor Gavin Newsom, and other dignitaries.
Media presence included NBC4 Los Angeles, Fox 11 Los Angeles, ABC7 Los Angeles, KCBS Los Angeles, Yahoo News, Alpha News, and DemoCast.
This year’s honorees were:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA-28)
Pinnacle Award for Extraordinary Leadership
Congresswoman Laura Friedman (D-CA-30)
Summit Award for Foremost Excellence in Impact
Ana Kasparian, Journalist and Defining Voice in Independent Media
Truth & Courage Award for Unwavering Commitment to Truth and Moral Courage
Sepi Shyne, Former Mayor of West Hollywood
Luminary Award for Significant Impact & Influence
Arpi Jinbashian Krikorian, Artist
Visionary Artist Award for Cultural Impact
“It was deeply meaningful to gather with leaders and community members to remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide while also recognizing individuals who continue to use their voices and platforms for justice,” said Vic Gerami, Founder & Chair of TAAL. “The lessons of genocide remembrance remain urgently relevant in a world still confronting displacement, hatred, and the denial of human suffering.”
Gerami added, “Tonight also demonstrated the strength of solidarity across communities. By honoring courageous leaders from public service, journalism, advocacy, and the arts, we affirm that truth and accountability remain essential values.”
The event featured a pre-program reception, dignitary remarks, award presentations, and a closing call for education, remembrance, and vigilance against genocide and crimes against humanity.
About TAAL
Truth And Accountability League (TAAL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization with roots in defending Armenian identity, culture, and cultural arts. Today, TAAL has grown into a broader platform dedicated to combating hate, discrimination, and disinformation affecting marginalized communities, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, ethnic and cultural minorities, and other underrepresented groups.
TAAL monitors and challenges bias across media, academia, public policy, and cultural institutions. The organization also promotes cultural arts, heritage preservation, and creative expression as tools for education, resilience, and cross-cultural understanding. Through educational programs, cultural initiatives, and community engagement, TAAL empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools to recognize, confront, and prevent prejudice, disinformation, and harmful narratives.
Our mission is to advance equity, promote accountability, and foster understanding through advocacy, education, and cultural arts, ensuring that all communities, including those of Armenian heritage, are represented, respected, and supported.
For additional information, visit TruthAndAccountabilityLeague.org
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