Keeping the bar set high on the hospitality and organization scales, the 35th Annual Black Creativity Gala at the Museum of Science and Industry on January 27 was another hit in more ways than one.
The most important hit: the $429,000 the Gala raised supports the annual Black Creativity program and its events that pay tribute to the culture, heritage and scientific contributions of African Americans and help motivate youth in science, technology, engineering, art and medicine.
The 800 guests represented an impressive, good-looking and engaged demographic that appreciates the need to support youth, and to do so in a setting that facilitates networking and socializing and more networking.
The Gala was co-chaired by Cheryl Harris, senior vice president at Allstate Insurance Company, and Kelly Powers Baria of Powers and Sons Construction Company.
The evening kicked off with guests enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition that features more than 100 original works of art by African-American artists.
After cocktails, guests headed to the rotunda to enjoy the always-plentiful food stations featuring balsamic marinated and grilled octopus, spicy tuna poke bowl, duck fat fried chicken, winter panzanella salad, bourbon glazed donuts and more.
WGN Meteorologist Demetrius Ivory emceed the presentation and Gov. Bruce Rauner addressed the crowd. Guests enjoyed live music from the Englewood Children’s Choir, while DJ Nick “Nonstop” Nicholson bumped music – including house music! – and backed up Chicago native and NBC’s The Voice contestant Meagan McNeal.
