EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Dodgers are on a roll, the team's stadium will host this year's All-Star Game and summer will be here before you know it.

One way for fans to celebrate the organization and season will be the return of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation's Blue Diamond Gala. June 16 will see the first gala since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the last two. The star-studded affair will celebrate everyday heroes in the city, said LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman.

"Our vision is really around creating a Los Angeles where every Angeleno feels like they have the opportunity to thrive," said Whiteman. "If we can leverage the Dodger brand and the unique strength that brings, and the unique assets that that brings, to provide access and opportunity for marginalized populations, underserved neighborhoods here in Los Angeles, we then can actually change a trajectory of so many people."

The Blue Diamond Gala — known to many as "the party for LA" — is presented by the Dodgers Ownership Group, which includes Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King. The evening will kick off with a star-studded blue carpet at Dodger Stadium and pre-show dinner party with a DJ set by D-Nice, followed by an exclusive concert headlined by Jennifer Lopez inside the Chavez Ravine venue.

"It’s really special for folks to be on that field," said Whiteman. "It’s pretty sacred in so many ways, and to have 2,000 people on that field in an intimate nature, really enjoying a concert together, learning more about the foundation, given opportunities to support the foundation, there’s a significant level of fellowship that happens, and it’s just a really magical night."

The special night comes after two years of hard work throughout a challenging time, particularly for Angelenos. Whiteman noted that there have been silver linings that came with the pandemic, as the LADF has been able to effectively its workflow and ultimately extend its reach to even more communities in LA, especially those hit hardest by the coronavirus.

“To date, we’ve actually donated and distributed 4.5 million meals since the pandemic hit," said Whiteman. "We provided grants to nonprofit organizations immediately in COVID-relief format, making sure that people had what they needed."

And their hard work is certainly being recognized.

On April 28, the LADF and Whiteman were honored with Liberty Hill Foundation’s Visionary Award, which goes to companies and organizations that use their platform to raise awareness and funds to fuel the fight for social justice in LA.

LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman accepts the Liberty Hill Foundation’s Visionary Award at the Upton Sinclair Homecoming Celebration in Los Angeles on April 28, 2022. (LADF)

Beyond the upcoming Blue Diamond Gala, Whiteman says she's also looking forward to the "Sunset Run" presented by UCLA Health, which features 5K and 10K courses at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 13 and will continue the LADF's fundraising efforts.

In the meantime, if you'd like to attend the Blue Diamond Gala, tickets and sponsorships are on sale here.