SAN FRANCISCO, November 12, 2024 — The San Francisco Press Club revealed former Mayor Willie Brown and Phil Matier will speak at its 47th awards show at The Julia Morgan Ballroom at 465 California Street in San Francisco. KQED’s Marisa Lagos will moderate the discussion about the upshot of the presidential election.

“If you think it’s weird now – think again,” quipped Brown.

“From SF to DC, the roller coaster is revving up – so buckle your seat belt for a wild ride,” added Matier.

Willie L. Brown Jr. has been a central figure in California politics for over four decades, influencing policies across civil rights, education reform, tax policy, economic development, health care, affirmative action, and more. His career spans the Lyndon Johnson presidency to George W. Bush, and he’s worked with every California governor from Pat Brown to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Phil Matier began his career in Tucson, Arizona. He moved in the early 1980s to the Bay Area, where he has been one of the most influential reporters over the last four decades. In newspapers, he was the consummate political insider, producing a steady stream of scoops and exclusives for The San Francisco Examiner and S.F. Chronicle. Not content with one medium, Phil added broadcast stripes in the 1990s. He has worked for KRON TV and KPIX-5, and currently ABC 7 and KCBS radio. 

The awards gala will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at The Julia Morgan Ballroom. Cocktail service will begin at 5:30 p.m., and dinner and awards will commence at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets will cost $200 at the door, but The San Francisco Press Club is now selling them for $65 for current members, $75 for working journalists, $50 for students (with valid ID) and $150 for non-journalist allies. Full tables for groups of up to ten can be purchased online, too. Last year’s gala sold out quickly. Purchase your tickets today here.

ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO PRESS CLUB

The San Francisco Press Club is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status. It was founded in 1963 to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and opinions between professionals in the various news and public relations media, providing an organization in which to share fellowship, promote professional competence and knowledge, encourage students entering journalism by offering scholarships, and increase public knowledge of the media through workshops and other exchanges of information.

Contact

Curtis Sparrer

curtis@bospar.com