Chicago Urban League’s Golden Fellowship Dinner

Event: Chicago Urban League’s 56^th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner
Where: Hilton Chicago
Address: 720 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605
When: Saturday, November 4^th, 6:30pm
Tickets: Start at $600.00. Purchase Tixs Here

The 56^th Annual Chicago Urban League Golden Fellowship Dinner is right around the corner. This year’s performer is R&B Singer, Producer, and Songwriter Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.

The League’s largest annual fundraiser, the Golden Fellowship Dinner draws more than 1,700 of the city’s corporate leaders, human rights advocates, philanthropists, clergy and elected officials. This year’s theme, Beyond 100: Together We Matter, highlights the organization’s entrance in its second century of service to Chicago’s African American community.

“Clearly race is at the epicenter of our city and our country’s social ills, yet remains one of the most difficult and provocative things to talk about,” said Chicago Urban League President and CEO Shari Runner. “This year’s theme highlights our continued work around racial equity and social justice. Building relationships across lines of racial difference is transformational.”

Today, the Chicago Urban League’s youth services, workforce development, housing and entrepreneurship programs serve more than 10,000 Chicago residents.

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds has been a staple of urban contemporary music since the late 1980s. He’s won worldwide praise, countless awards—including an unprecedented 11 Grammy Awards as a producer, songwriter and artist and earlier this year was inducted into the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame. Edmonds has written for and/or produced the biggest stars including Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Madonna, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Boys II Men, etc. As co-founder with L.A. Reid of LaFace Records in 1989, Babyface nurtured the careers of such megastars as TLC, OutKast, Usher, and Toni Braxton. The prolific music man counts more than 200 top 10 R&B and over 50 top 10 pop hits (including 16 No. 1’s). In turn, those stats have generated cumulative single and album sales of more than 600 million units worldwide.

“We are thrilled to welcome such an acclaimed entertainer,” said Chicago Urban League Board President Eric Smith, Market President, Chicago, Fifth Third Bank. “Mr. Edmonds has a rare gift to move and inspire an audience, and we believe his performance will complement the spirit of the gala.”

The Chicago Urban League is pleased to announce its Edwin C. “Bill” Berry Civil Rights Award and Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Individual Service Award honorees for the 56th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner benefit gala.

This year, the coveted “Bill” Berry Civil Rights Award will be presented to James D. Montgomery, Sr., noted civil rights attorney and community activist. The Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Individual Service Award will be presented to Senator Emil Jones, Jr., progressive legislator, and long-time proponent of social justice and fair funding of public education.

: James D. Montgomery, Sr

: Senator Emil Jones, Jr

Named for Bill Berry, CEO of the Chicago Urban League from 1956-1969 and 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.

The Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Individual Service Award is named for long-time CPA, Accounting firm Principal and Chicago Urban League Lifetime Board Director Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Created in 2016, this award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the quality of life for African Americans in Chicago through volunteerism and embodies excellence through community service.

“The Golden Fellowship Dinner continues to be a driving force that fuels our mission to make a stronger African American community and a better Chicago,” said Shari Runner, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “We are excited to continue the legacy of presenting the Bill Berry Award and creating a new tradition with the Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Individual Service Award.”

Lead dinner sponsors include PwC, Abbott Laboratories, BMO Harris Bank, GCM Grosvenor and Illinois Tool Works.

Tickets are now on sale. For more information about the Chicago Urban League’s 56th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner sponsorship opportunities and tickets, contact Sydney Smith at 773-451-3564 or ssmith@thechicagourbanleague.org or visit www.TheChicagoUrbanLeague.org.

About the Chicago Urban League

Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League works for economic, educational and social progress for African Americans and promotes strong sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration and innovation. For more information, visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.