Sam Cunningham Jr (center) was recognized at the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Black History Celebration in February of 2016. Cunningham played ten seasons with the New England Patriots. He played college football at USC, where he was named a first-team All-American and received MVP honors in the 1973 Rose Bowl. Also recognized in 2016 was Cheryl Cooley, lead guitarist for the all girls band Klymaxx, Synthia Saint James, visual artist and author; Rose Royce, an American Soul/R & B group, Kim Turner, City of Torrance and the Don Cornelius Foundation.
