Everyday Courage: What Story Do You Bring to California?

An Evening of Connection

On November 10, 2026, California Humanities is bringing acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Luis Valdez to Los Angeles for Everyday Courage, a special evening focused on what courage means in our lives and communities.

The program will feature legendary playwright, filmmaker, and founder and artistic director of El Teatro Campesino Luis Valdez, whose groundbreaking work has brought Chicano stories, history, and experiences to American stages and screens for more than six decades.

Through Valdez’s reflections, Everyday Courage will explore what courage looks like in everyday life and how the stories we tell, and preserve can influence our communities and California’s future.

The evening will also include a screening of the trailer for American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, a California Humanities-supported documentary exploring Valdez’s life, work, and influence on American theater and film. The film, which will air on PBS by the time of the event, traces Valdez’s journey from California’s farmworker movement to the creation of landmark works such as Zoot Suit and La Bamba and examines his enduring influence on American culture.

Honoring Courage Through the Humanities

During Everyday Courage, California Humanities will present its Spirit of the Humanities Awards to two California leaders whose work reflects different dimensions of public service, cultural leadership, and engagement with the humanities.

California State Senator Ben Allen will receive the Spirit of the Humanities Award for Legislative Champion. Allen represents California’s 24th Senate District in Los Angeles County and chairs the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Arts. His legislative work related to arts and culture has included measures concerning California’s film and television industry, theatre and dance teaching credentials, and access to arts education.

Ann Burroughs, President and CEO of the Japanese American National Museum and its National Center for the Preservation of Democracy will receive the Spirit of the Humanities Award for Courageous Leadership. An internationally recognized human rights and social justice leader, Burroughs’ lifelong commitment to justice was shaped by her experience as a young activist in South Africa, where she was imprisoned for opposing apartheid. For more than 25 years, she has worked with leaders, organizations, and networks in the United States and abroad to advance racial justice and human rights. More recently, Burroughs has been at the forefront of museums serving moral clarity and protecting civic space, nurturing public trust, and preserving truth and history.

Together, Valdez, Burroughs, and Allen reflect the many forms courage can take—from telling stories and advancing cultural memory to public leadership and expanding opportunities for people to participate in the cultural and civic life of their communities.

Intimate Reception Following the Program

Everyday Courage will be followed by an intimate reception, offering attendees continued conversations and an opportunity to connect with honorees, our featured speakers, board members, and fellow guests.

• Registration for general attendance does not guarantee admission. Please arrive by 5:10 PM to allow for check-in and to secure your seat.
• To attend the reception, guests must purchase a “General Admission + Reception” ticket

"General Admission + Reception" tickets are non-refundable. Ticket proceeds directly support this event: a portion covers the cost of food and beverage for the reception, and the remainder is a charitable donation to California Humanities, supporting our mission to connect people to ideas and one another across the Golden State.

Questions? Ask us at donate@calhum.org