Families Hailed as Fabric of Nation : Tribute: Moms, dads and kids are honored for struggling and surviving at Coca-Cola’s ‘Salute to the Black Family.’

It was definitely family night when the Coca-Cola family, as employees of the soft drink company like to call themselves, got together to honor not another rock star or wealthy philanthropist but members of two middle-class families.

“These people here are progressive. They work hard, are part of the American fabric and are doing everything good,” said Coke’s Lucille Boswell. “You don’t hear about them, but they do struggle and do survive.”

Boswell, senior manager of consumer relations at the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Los Angeles, inaugurated Coke’s “Salute to the Black Family” six years ago.

The event, held recently at the Sheraton Grande Hotel downtown, was as much a tribute to her as to the families: Harold Henry Jr., his wife, Brenda, and their three children, who live in South-Central Los Angeles, and Shaune Lacy and her two children from Gardena.

Harold Henry Jr. is a warehouseman at Toyota Motor Distributors; Brenda is a homemaker working toward a bachelor’s degree. Their children are Porschia, 13, Krystle, 6, and Brandon, 5. Lacy is a business administrator at TRW, and her children are Shannon, 12, and Hal, 11.

After an un-cocktail party (Coke, Diet Coke and wine), Coca-Cola presented $5,000 checks to each family, and Food4Less vice president Fred Snowden presented each with $500 gift certificates for his stores.

“In the midst of all the bad things in our community, state and nation, it’s important to concentrate on the good things,” said Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson (D-Los Angeles).

“We’re young and still hanging in there, and in today’s society it’s rough,” said Henry.

“I feel very proud,” added Lacy. “It’s nice to know there are positive things still happening.”

Brian Dyson, president and chief executive officer of Coca-Cola Enterprises in Atlanta, flew in for the event, and said he liked what he saw. “This is truly a community event,” he said. “Any time a nation deserts its family roots, it’s in trouble. I really believe that.”