65
years of legacy
Gala

Please join us for the 65th Anniversary Gala on April 18, 2026, at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center an evening rooted in legacy, community, and collective vision.

This milestone celebration brings together cultural leaders, partners, and supporters to honor DuSable’s past while affirming our future. The evening will begin with a champagne reception inside our acclaimed Paris in Black exhibition, followed by a dynamic program in our newly renovated theater inviting guests to gather, reflect, and connect.

We are proud to honor Kevin Warren, Ben Crump, and Clayco for their leadership, advocacy, and enduring commitment to equity, justice, and community impact.

Together, we honor 65 years of Black history, culture, and resilience while boldly shaping the next chapter of DuSable’s legacy together!

The Visionary Stewardship Award will be presented to Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the Chicago Bears. This honors leadership that understands institutions as living systems requiring care, strategy, and long-term responsibility to the community and future generations.

The Builder of Tomorrow Legacy Award will be presented to Bob Clark, President and CEO of Clayco. This honors a builder whose work reminds us that what we design, invest in, and construct shapes the cultural and civic landscape for decades to come.

The Justice as Legacy Award will be presented to Ben Crump, Attorney and Founder of Ben Crump Law PLLC. This honors a national advocate whose work centers truth-telling, accountability, and the protection of Black life values core to DuSable’s founding purpose.

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About The 65th Anniversary Gala

Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring six and a half decades of history, culture, and community impact. This year, The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center proudly marks its 65th anniversary as the nation’s first independent Black history museum. Founded in 1961 by artist, educator, and activist Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs, The DuSable continues to honor her vision and serve as a cultural beacon and a national leader in collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of people of African descent. For six and a half decades, The DuSable has welcomed millions of visitors, stewarded a collection of more than 15,000 objects and some of the nation’s richest archives, and delivered educational programs supporting communities across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods and beyond. All proceeds from the 65th Anniversary Gala directly support The DuSable’s educational mission, ensuring that the next generation has access to transformative arts, culture, and history for years to come.
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