• AnnandJackieKaplan-PerkinsarehonoredattheHumanFirstgala.PhotobyKatFitzgeraldMysticImagesPhotography
    Ann and Jackie Kaplan-Perkins are honored at the Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Activists Myles and Precious Brady-Davis were among the celebrants at the Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Art Johnston and Pepe Pena. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Celebrants at 2023 Human First gala 4.Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Friends at 2023 Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Jackie, David and Ann Kaplan-Perkins, Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy and Candace Gingrich. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Eye Photography
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    U.S. Rep Jan Schakowski (front left) was among the celebrants at the Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Eye Photography
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    Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Roderick Hawkins is honored at the Human First Gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
  • CenteronHalstedCo-InterimCEOandChiefDevelopmentOfficerBradSnyderatHumanFirstGala.PhotobyKatFitzgeraldMysticImagesPhotography
    Center on Halsted Co-Interim CEO and Chief Development Officer Brad Snyder at Human First Gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
  • ChicagoMayorLoriLightfootandU.S.Sen_.TammyBaldwinatthe2023HumanFirstgala.PhotobyKatFitzgeraldMysticImagesPhotography
    Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin at the 2023 Human First gala.Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Celebrants at 2023 Human First gala 2. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Celebrants at 2023 Human First gala 2. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    CeCe Peniston leads the show at Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    CeCe Peniston performs at Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photgraphy
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    Celebrants at 2023 Human First gala 6.Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Celebrants at 2023 Human First Gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography.JPG
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    Celebrants at Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photgraphy
  • CelebrantsatHumanFirstgala.PhotobyKatFitzgeraldMysticImagesPhotography
    Celebrants at Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Celebrants at Human First gala. Photography by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photgraphy 9
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    Celebrants at Human First gala. Photography by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photgraphy
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    Dance performance at 2023 Human First gala.Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
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    Festivities at Center on Halsted’s Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Eye Photgraphy.
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    Guests at the Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Image Photpgraphy
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    Human First gala celebrants sit down to dinner. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography.JPG
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    Human First gala. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photgraphy
Hundreds of community members met at the Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne Ave., the evening of April 15 for Center on Halsted’s 2023 edition of its annual Human First gala.

Honorees that evening included local activists Ann and Jackie Kaplan-Perkins, and Northwestern University School of Communication Associate Dean of External Affairs and Chief of Staff Roderick Hawkins (who is also a longtime activist in Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. U.S. Bank was also honored.

Singer CeCe Peniston closed out the evening. According to Center on Halsted officials, the gala this year raised over $702,000 for the Center.

—Matt Simonette