My Evening at the Chicago Urban League Gala 2023
So, I wanted to share my experience going to the Chicago Urban League Gala last year, 2023. It felt like something important to support, you know? I’d heard good things about their work for a while.
First step, obviously, was getting the ticket. Went online, found the event page, and bought one. Decided to go solo this time, just soak it all in myself. Once that was sorted, I marked it on my calendar.
Then came the usual prep stuff. Needed to figure out what to wear. It’s a gala, so you gotta look sharp. Pulled out my good suit, made sure it was clean, got my shirt pressed. Little things, but they matter for feeling right at these events. Checked the venue address again, planned my route. Chicago traffic, you know how it is, so I planned to leave early.
The day arrived. Got dressed, double-checked I had my ticket confirmation (on my phone, thankfully). Headed out. Driving downtown was the usual adventure, but I found parking not too far away, which felt like a win. Walked over to the venue.
Walking in, the place looked great. They really dolled it up. Lots of people milling about already. First stop was the check-in table. Gave them my name, got my table number. Pretty smooth process, actually. They had volunteers helping direct folks.
Then there was that initial period, the reception or cocktail hour they call it. Grabbed a sparkling water, started looking around. You see a lot of familiar faces from around the city at these things. Business people, community leaders, folks just wanting to support the cause. I chatted with a couple of people I knew, caught up a bit. It’s always interesting to see who turns out.
Finding my table was next. They started guiding people towards the main ballroom. Found my assigned spot, introduced myself to the others at the table. Always a mixed bag, which keeps it interesting. We made some small talk while waiting for things to kick off.
The main program started soon after. There were speakers, of course. Leaders from the Urban League talked about the work they’d been doing all year. They showed videos, shared stories. It really hits home when you hear about the impact directly. They also honored some folks who’ve made big contributions. Listening to their acceptance speeches was quite moving sometimes.
Dinner was served during the program. Standard gala fare, chicken or fish type of thing. It was decent. Honestly, you don’t go for the food primarily, but it was fine. Kept chatting with my tablemates between speakers.
- Listened to the opening remarks.
- Watched the award presentations.
- Ate dinner while the program continued.
- Heard about the League’s initiatives for jobs and education.
There was also a fundraising part, which is central to these events. They made an appeal for donations. It felt good to contribute a little extra right there, seeing the energy in the room.
After the main program finished, there was some music, more mingling. Some people hit the dance floor, others just continued conversations. I stayed for a little while longer, talked to a few more people.
Eventually, it was time to head out. Said my goodbyes to the table. The crowd was thinning by then. Walked back to my car, thinking about the evening. It felt worthwhile. You go, you support a good organization, you connect with people, you learn something. It was a solid evening spent supporting the Chicago Urban League and their mission.
