Chicago Urban League Raises $1.6M After In-person Return of Annual Glitzy Gala

The Chicago Urban League’s (Chicago, IL) highly anticipated, star-studded 60th annual Golden Fellowship Dinner returned last weekend to raise $1.6 million one year after the in-person event was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Boyz II Men and a surprise performance by Grammy Award-winning Rhythm and Blues star Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds led a powerful come-back of the black-tie event, which raised just over $1 million after it went all virtual last year because of COVID-19 concerns.

The black-tie gala was themed “60 Years and Onward: Meeting the Moment with the Movement.”

The event was viewed as part of a pivotal year for the Chicago Urban League as it recovers from the pandemic. The proceeds will be used to fund many of the organization’s programs.

ABC and Chicago reporter Samantha Chatman emceed the event as more than 1,000 guests packed Chicago’s Hyatt Regency Saturday, November 6, for the three-hour ceremony led by Chicago Urban League President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson.

The evening began with a champagne reception hosted by Chatman; comedian and actor Damon Williams served as host of the dinner program; and Maurice “Ice” Culpepper, of iHeart Media Chicago’s V103 radio station, served as DJ for the after party. Attendees were required to submit proof of vaccination in advance, and the wearing of masks was encouraged.

An iconic group, Boyz II Men sang some of their greatest hits before Babyface took to the stage for a surprise performance that put the star-studded evening over the top.

Saluting the evening’s honorees and co-chairs, Freeman-Wilson said, “Last year, so many of our friends in the corporate arena made statements and pledged dollars so that people would know of their commitment to fair and equal treatment. But words and money ring hollow unless there is a demonstrated commitment to systemic change. Our sponsors and their teams at Nicor and Northern Trust embody that commitment. And each of our honorees—Brett Hart, Ben Crump and Connie Lindsey, live these principles every day.”

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