Celebration of Community was the theme of this year’s Center on Halsted (The Center) annual Human First Gala March 29 at The Geraghty in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
The festivities kicked off with the Center’s Board Chair Victor Ravago addressing the packed house. He recognized the elected officials who were in attendance—Illinois state Sens. Sara Feigenholtz and Graciela Guzman; Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner; Chicago Alds. Bennett Lawson and Timmy Knudsen; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis; and Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele.
Ravago added, “Through all the challenges, one thing has remained clear—our resilience is unmatched. We don’t back down and we don’t disappear.” He also noted the Center CEO Joli Robinson’s one year anniversary in her role and praised her “compassion, vision and an unshakable commitment to bringing people together” amidst immense challenges the organization has recently faced.
“As we celebrate tonight, we must acknowledge the challenges we face,” said Ravago. “Across the country, we are witnessing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. Our youth. Our families. Our ability to live openly and authentically. This is not political rhetoric; this is real tangible threats. Our community is at risk.
From marriage equality to trans rights, our movement has been shaped by resilience and resistance. We have faced adversity before, and we have prevailed. Not because it was easy, but because we have refused to stay silent. We’ve had each other. This is why Center on Halsted matters now more than ever. In these volatile times, we are a beacon, a place for people to find safety and resources and most importantly a sense of belonging.”
The evening’s awardees included Life is Work Founder and CEO Zahara Bassett (Signature Human First Award), the State of Illinois (Community Spirit Award) and Bank of America (Corporate Impact Award).
Ravago and Brady-Davis (who is also the Center’s Chief Strategy Officer) presented Feigenholtz and Illinois Department of Human Rights Director Jim Bennett with the Community Spirit Award, which he accepted on behalf of the State of Illinois.
Brady-Davis shared numerous ways the State of Illinois has helped the Center financially since its founding, while Ravago recognized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s specific role in protecting the LGBTQ+ community and welcoming queer/trans people who have moved to Illinois from anti-LGBTQ+ states in recent years.
In a video message, Pritzker said that “since day one” he has worked with the General Assembly to make sure Illinois is a “state of welcome and inclusion for all.” He added that the Center has been “an indispensable partner” to improve the “health, wellness and prosperity of our LGBTQ community.”
Pritzker said the state of Illinois and the Center’s partnership is “more important than ever, and I want you to know that I will never abandon you or our collective efforts to protect your rights and freedoms.”
Feigenholtz announced that she has earmarked $500,000 for the Center’s capital improvements and maintenance to be included in the final FY2026 budget. She also said that the Center “empowers people who walk into the doors from the LGBTQ+ community in ways that are so meaningful especially when they are under attack nationally.”
Feigenholtz spoke about her history as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community in her personal life and through her work in both chambers of the General Assembly. She recalled both when the first openly gay Illinois state representative, Larry McKeon, joined the House, and, more recently, being joined by state Sen. Mike Simmons in the Senate.
Bennett said the attacks on the LGBTQ+ community by the federal government through executive orders, attempts to erase queer/trans people and federal agencies blocking civil rights protections are “sickening. Donald Trump does not get the last word.”
Bennet spoke about the Illinois Human Rights Act history and how in the early 2000s there was an attempt to remove the T from LGBT to pass a state law to protect queer/trans people which was rejected by almost everyone. Due to community members’ resolve to include trans people, it took three years longer to get the bill passed and because of this, Illinois has the most comprehensive protections for the entire LGBTQ+ community in the nation.
“Now that Illinois Human Rights Act stands as a wall against their petty and performative hate,” said Bennett. “Here in the Land of Lincoln, discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity is against the law, period.”
He added that now is the time to fight back against the federal government’s attacks and support the many LGBTQ+ organizations in the city.
Robinson said the “amazing energy” in the room “gives me joy” and that the theme of “celebration of community is right on time. This room knows the perilous times we’re in, and the many individuals and communities being harmed by the relentless attacks on human, civil and economic rights.”
Robinson reminded the audience that LGBTQ+ people have always had to fight for basic human and civil rights and outlined all the ways this has manifested in their lives. Robinson added that as “dark as it feels it also illuminates something incredibly profound—the sheer beauty and necessity of LGBTQ+ people who have long created, nurtured and sustained community.”
Board Secretary and Programs Committee Co-Chair Joanna Ruiz and Development Senior Director Nick Roman presented Bank of America Consumer Banking Market Leader and Board Member and Governance Committee Co-Chair Lupe Sanchez with the Corporate Impact Award.
Sanchez recalled said that, in 2010 he came to the Center to find community because, at the time he felt alone and unseen, adding that the Center created a “safe and welcoming space for me and I wanted to be able to pay that forward.”
Board Member Chartise Clark and Youth Programming Senior Director Luke Romesberg presented Bassett with her award. Bassett, who received a standing ovation as she came onstage, said “when I say trans, you say power” and had the audience repeat “power” several times.
Bassett spoke about her life story as a Black trans woman who was unhoused, her struggles to access healthcare and other challenges, like having to choose between hormones or hot meals.
She said her experience of survival showed her what community really means and the importance of chosen family. She added that she does this work to help heal people and show up “even when the world tells us that we shouldn’t.” She emphasized that “our stories matter, our future matters” and that she accepts this award “for every Black and Brown trans woman who hasn’t been seen” and those who have already died.
Auctioneer Dani Hollis rallied attendees to donate more money to the Center so it could reach its mission goal of $770,481. Hollis relayed a message from former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her wife Amy Eshleman who donated $5,000 but were unable to attend the gala.
Board Member and Programs Committee Co-Chair Jesse Leung and the Board members and Development and Marketing Committee Co-Chairs Anne Dooley and Nick Bruce also spoke.
The evening featured Figure 8 ballroom performers from several Chicago Houses who kicked off the festivities. They also closed out the evening with a rousing performance that included calling Feigenholtz, Brady-Davis, former Ball kids Bassett and Brave Space Alliance Executive Director Chanynn Lynne Parker (who was a member of the House of Balenciaga) onto the dance floor.
The crowd cheered the performers and speakers on as they showed off their signature moves.
Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles performed during the cocktail reception and DJ Lady D spun tunes throughout the festivities.
Center on Halsted’s 2025 Human First Gala photos by Kat Fitzgerald/Mystic Images Photography
