Chicago Urban League Raises Nearly $2 Million

The Chicago Urban League’s (Chicago, IL) 58th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner raised nearly $2 million to support education, employment, housing, entrepreneurship and advocacy programs for African-American communities in Chicago.

Nearly 1,500 supporters from the corporate, civic, faith and non-profit sectors attended the gala held at the Hilton Chicago. Mayor Lori Lightfoot greeted the crowd at the pre-event reception. The event was emceed by NBC 5 News anchors Rob Stafford and Michelle Relerford, featured inspirational acceptance remarks from the evening’s three honorees, and concluded with a rousing performance by 10-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan.

The Urban League’s Interim President and CEO Barbara Lumpkin said that significant support of the event illustrates the spirit of this year’s gala theme, Getting to Equal Together.

“Countless individuals both in and outside of this room answered the call to help us reach our goal,” said Lumpkin. “Our work toward racial equity continues, and thanks to your unwavering support, we can keep moving forward.”

The Chicago Urban League serves more than 15,000 youth and adults each year.

The League bestowed its highest honor, the Edwin C. “Bill” Berry Award, on Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Named for Bill Berry, executive director of the Chicago Urban League from 1956-1969 and a key activist in the Civil Rights Movement, the award is given annually to leaders who make a mark locally and nationally through hard work, perseverance and creativity.

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