Nearly 750 supporters attended the Museum of Science and Industry’s 32nd Black Creativity Gala at the museum on Jan. 24. Co-chaired by Cheryl Harris, senior vice president of Allstate Insurance Company, and Anne Pramaggiore, president and CEO of ComEd, the event paid tribute to African-American culture and heritage and raised funds for science education programming.
The black-tie event featured students’ science demonstrations, a lavish strolling buffet catered by Sodexo and entertainment by The MoFitz Project and DJ Lil’ John. During the opening reception, Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago had guests dancing along to their rousing rendition of Pharrell Williams’ hit song “Happy.”
Emceed by NBC 5’s Byron Miranda and Michelle Relerford, the program included remarks from MSI’s Science Achievers. Tyrone Ferguson, a senior at Whitney Young High School, said, “This program teaches us about science, but so much more. When I share science experiments, I feel like I’m helping kids realize that science is really cool and, hopefully, that I’m inspiring them to pursue a career in this field in the future.”
Throughout the evening, partygoers could view the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition that featured more than 100 original works of art from both professional and amateur African-American artists from across the country, including a dozen works by teens from local high schools.
In the Rotunda, guests dined under the museum’s full-size Boeing 727, next to a whirling “tornado” in the Science Storms exhibit and alongside a steam locomotive from 1893.
The gala raised nearly $500,000 to support Black Creativity programming and events to motivate youths in the fields of math, science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM).
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
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