Hollywood will shine with intention on Monday, December 8th, as industry leaders, creatives, and changemakers gather for the Angelique Bates Birthday Benefit Event at the iconic Kookaburra Lounge at Hollywood & Highland. More than a birthday celebration, this evening is rooted in giving back—honoring legacy, healing, and collective uplift through entertainment, advocacy, and community.
At the heart of the night is Angelique Bates, an original cast member of Nickelodeon’s groundbreaking series All That and the creator and producer of All That and A Bag of Jokes. Angelique has long used her voice and platform to champion mental health awareness, domestic violence survivors, and unhoused communities. Serving on the boards of the ONELOVE Foundation and Face Forward International, she exemplifies how entertainment can be a vehicle for impact. This birthday benefit reflects her personal journey and her commitment to bringing people together for meaningful causes.
The evening also spotlights Tiffany Haddish and her deeply personal nonprofit, the She Ready Foundation, which supports foster youth transitioning into adulthood. Drawing from her own lived experience, Tiffany’s foundation provides mentorship, luggage drives, mental health resources, and career development tools—ensuring young people feel seen, prepared, and supported as they step into their futures. With both Angelique (December 1) and Tiffany (December 3) being proud Sagittarians, the night celebrates shared birthdays fueled by generosity and purpose.
Adding another powerful layer is Tonya Meisenbach, founder of the Burned Beauty Foundation. A burn and domestic violence survivor turned influential beauty creator, Tonya transformed trauma into advocacy. Her foundation provides peer support, empowerment programs, and educational outreach for burn survivors—helping individuals rebuild confidence, heal visibly and invisibly, and reclaim their stories. Her presence reinforces the event’s core message: resilience is powerful, and healing is communal.
The red carpet will reflect Hollywood’s vibrant creative spirit, featuring standout comedians and performers including Daphnique Springs, Ron G, Chaunté Wayans, Jonnaé Thompson, Chris Lewis, Frankie Benz, comedian Alex Mingo and singer Autumn Charles. With a Black Wall Street / Cocktail dress code, the atmosphere honors excellence, culture, and legacy—past, present, and future.
Event highlights and impact include:
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A birthday benefit centered on philanthropy, healing, and community uplift
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Celebration of Angelique Bates’ legacy and advocacy-driven leadership
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Spotlight on Tiffany Haddish’s She Ready Foundation for foster youth
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Recognition of Tonya Meisenbach’s Burned Beauty Foundation and survivor empowerment
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Live comedy and music from celebrated Hollywood talent
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A curated Hollywood experience rooted in purpose, representation, and impact
From the red carpet to the cause, this special evening is a reminder that Hollywood’s true power lies not just in spotlight moments—but in how it shows up for people.
Report Mark Winkler
Photo Credit:
Photographer Credit: World Visionz
