Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the National Public Housing Museum’s first full year as a vibrant civic and cultural anchor on Chicago’s Near West Side!

This year, we are proud to honor Matthew Desmond, Jackie Taylor, and Denis Pierce — visionary leaders whose work embodies the power of storytelling, scholarship, advocacy, and the arts to shape a more just and equitable future.

The gala brings together civic and cultural leaders, artists, corporate partners, and members of the public housing community for a night of joy and generosity.

Get tickets

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Schedule

5:00 PM | Cocktail Reception & Live Music by Tom Tom Washington and the South Side Big Band
6:30 PM | Awards Program and Dinner
8:20 PM | A special performance by Black Ensemble Theater
8:30 PM | Coffee & Dessert
9:00 PM | Event Concludes

Dress Code: Festive Cocktail

Learn more about the event and honorees

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Co-chairs

• Liz Thompson
• Mirja Spooner Haffner
• Francine Washington

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Host committee

• Frederick Bates and Ellen Benjamin
• Marjorie Benton
• Deborah Bennett
• Michelle Boone
• Penny Brown and Jeff Rappin
• Liz Butler
• Jean Butzen and Jim Strickler
• Dirk Denison and David Salkin
• Sunny and Paul Fischer
• Kim Foxx
• Joan and Guy Gunzberg
• Mike Gurgone
• Mirja Spooner Haffner
• Tom and Nancy Hanson
• Mark and Tracey Hennessy
• Julie and Patrick Hoffmann
• Brad Hunt
• Laura Jansen
• Amy Khare
• LBBA Architects
• Larry Kleinman
• Lisa Lee and Adam Bush
• Avi and Karen Lothan
• McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP (Jill & Peter Litton)
• Marisa Novara
• Heather Parish
• Denis and Martha Pierce
• Hedy Ratner
• Julia Stasch
• Liz Thompson
• Francine Washington
• Wintrust