City proclaims July 15 as Wallace Annenberg Day; family and council highlight philanthropic legacy

The Los Angeles City Council recognized the life and legacy of Wallace Annenberg on July 1, voting to proclaim July 15 as Wallace Annenberg Day and welcoming Annenberg family representatives who described Wallace Annenberg's civic investments across the region.

Council member Mike Yaroslavsky introduced the proclamation, noting Wallace Annenberg’s philanthropic record and the foundation’s multi-billion-dollar grantmaking. "Under her leadership, the Annenberg Foundation awarded more than $5,000,000,000 in grants to thousands of organizations," Yaroslavsky said as he welcomed family members to the dais.

Lauren Baughn, an environmental artist and daughter of Wallace Annenberg, spoke about her mother's belief in connecting philanthropy to public infrastructure and community care. "Care was infrastructure," Baughn said, urging the council to treat generosity as a public responsibility and to imagine a city built on care. Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, another family representative, reflected on the family's local partnerships and said the family was "proud to mark this first Wallace Annenberg Day to carry her innovation work forward."

Council members emphasized the foundation's local projects, naming institutions and initiatives supported by the family, including the Wallace Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, the Annenberg Space for Photography, and the Annenberg Community Beach House. The presentation closed with a formal proclamation and the council thanking the family for their attendance and continued engagement in civic projects.

The resolution was a ceremonial recognition and does not create new city policy. Council members said the day offered an opportunity to spotlight long-term philanthropic partnerships that support cultural and environmental projects across Los Angeles.