Our Founder

Founded in 1958 by Gertrude Gipson-Penland, the Regalettes are committed to education, cultural and civic activities. For the last 60 years, they have acknowledged, sponsored, and financially assisted youths who are monetarily, educationally, and culturally deprived.

Gertrude or “G.G.”, as she was fondly called, used her position as an award winning entertainment editor to chronicle the progress of African Americans in the entertainment industry and to lobby for more and better roles for African American thespians and technicians of color. She also used her legendary column in the Los Angeles Sentinel and her celebrated radio show Hollywood Update, which aired daily on KJLH, to release news, statements, comments and opinions about Hollywood and the community. In addition, she gave much needed publicity to unknown entertainers and boosted the fledgling careers of many artists.

She was lauded and honored by a number of civic and governmental entities including the NAACP, The Tiffany Guild, The Brotherhood Crusade, and as Woman of the Year by the National Association of Media Women. Additionally, she was appointed as the first African American woman to the California Motion Picture Development Council by Governor Edmund G. Brown and to the Los Angeles Film Advisory Committee by Supervisor Kenneth Hahn.