2024 Annual Gala:

Changing Rules. Changing Lives.

This event is closed.

As a nation, we share the belief that America should be a land of prosperity, where every individual has the chance to succeed and thrive. Unfortunately, access to opportunity is not equal or equitable.

Poverty is woven into the very fabric of our nation, with institutions, structures, and systems designed to disenfranchise millions of people, families, and communities. But we can make smarter, targeted, transformational policy changes. Supporters of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law empower us to do this work every day — to advocate to change rules to change lives.

Join the Shriver Center as we stand together, side-by-side, to celebrate all we have achieved. When you come to the 2024 Annual Gala, you are actively building a better, brighter future for our nation. With audacity, vision, and heart, we will relentlessly fight for racial and economic justice.

For more details read our virtual program book. For reflections on the evening and our mission moving forward, visit our 2024 annual gala reflections page.

Event details

Ticketing for this event has closed.

Thursday, April 11
6:00 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner, program, and celebration

Skyline Loft
Bridgeport Art Center
1200 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609

Festive cocktail attire.

One hundred percent of gala proceeds support the Shriver Center’s fight for racial and economic justice. All tickets purchased are non-refundable.

Featuring:

Keynote speaker

Chris Singleton
Chris Singleton is a former Chicago Cubs player who works tirelessly to spread a message of hope. Before being recruited to the minor leagues, Chris made national headlines as a voice of hope following a devastating personal tragedy.

Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Chris’s mother, was killed in a racially motivated mass shooting at her church in Charleston, South Carolina. But through the pain and loss, Chris found hope and empathy. He became an inspirational, motivational speaker and best-selling author, sharing a message of unity and racial reconciliation.

Musical guest

Yanna Cello
Yanna Cello, also known as Ayanna Williams, is classically trained but “trapfully raised.” Her background includes music education advocacy and activism, uplifting classical music and the fine arts within underrepresented communities, and working with youth through classical music. Yanna is expanding her philanthropic efforts through the Yanna Cello Foundation to heal Chicago.

Silent auction

Don’t miss our spectacular silent auction, featuring packages from Black-owned businesses in categories including:

• Gourmet food and wine
• Spa and wellness
• Culinary experience
• Sports and fitness

Gala Sponsors

Platinum sponsor

Golden sponsor

Silver sponsor

Partner sponsors

Ally sponsors

Contributor sponsors

Friend sponsors

Join us as a sponsor for our 2024 Annual Gala! Check out our sponsorship opportunities here. For questions or to secure your sponsorship, please contact Erin Dowland Kabwe, vice president of development, at erinkabwe@povertylaw.org or 312.809.8144.

Host Committee

Angelique Strong Marks

2024 Annual Gala Event Chair

Committee members

Dr. Janice Blanchard and Dr. Eneya Mulagha

Sarah Coleman and Abe Chernin

Karla and Henry Jones

Norah L. Jones and Timothy Cox

Zakiya and Chastity Lord

Lisa Madigan and Pat Byrnes

Neeta and Raj Vohra

Annie C. Wallis and Tom Whitehead

Ben Weinberg