From Legacy to Momentum: Celebrating 50 Years of Illinois Humanities

Over 400 guests gathered at Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood on a Friday evening to celebrate five decades of Illinois Humanities and collectively envision our next chapter. The 50th Anniversary Gala on September 19, 2025, welcomed humanists who traveled across the state from places like Durand, Normal, Springfield, Macomb, and Cairo. The special occasion brought out past and present board members, state and city commissioners, elected officials, university leaders, foundations, artists, and long-standing partners.

Upon arrival, attendees showcased their colorful cocktail attire in conversation with one another during a time capsule reception. They had the opportunity to interact with Illinois Humanities archival materials and experience the organization’s first 50 years through a timeline wall while enjoying signature cocktails from sponsor, Letherbee.   

The launch of various programs was showcased on the timeline, including Museum on Main Street, Road Scholars, The Odyssey Project, Envisioning Justice, and Foreground Rural Initiative. Each of these continues to support the vision of an Illinois where the humanities are central to making the state more just, creative, and connected. The major milestone was marked with the theme, MOMENTUM, to pay tribute to the organization’s history and all the powerful stories and communities who have contributed while inviting changemakers to invest in the next 50 years.  

Upon entering the dinner space, guests found centerpieces made up of free books with a tote on every chair to take home and beautiful flowers from our friends at Parkview Events Chicago. The program officially began with a welcome from Illinois Humanities Executive Director Gabrielle Lyon and Board Member Antoinette Burton. They thanked the anniversary sponsor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and transform sponsors Revel Limelight, Steans Family Foundation, and Susan Eleuterio and Tom Sourlis. Several groups were acknowledged and invited to stand or wave, including partners, grantees, and former and current staff and board members.   

The journey through the decades began with lawyer and professor Michael Dorf, Illinois Humanities Board Emeritus, who gave historical insight into the formation of the arts and humanities councils to use federal funds to meet the needs of each state. Illinois State Senator Robert Peters then spoke about the humanities being under threat despite their transformative power to ask difficult questions and build empathy even during dark times.  

“We have a collective responsibility to stand up for the freedom of expression and the freedom of speech,” said Peters, who ended by stating that Illinois Humanities’ founding vision is even more vital today.  

Nora Brooks Blakely, President of Brooks Permissions, was then welcomed to the stage to highlight her mother’s work, including a 1981 Illinois Humanities commissioned poem “To Prisoners,” and Gwendolyn Brooks’ commitment to young writers. The ninth annual Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards ceremony took place just one-week prior celebrating youth poets including 12th grade winner Dalila Martinez who received a special Passing the Torch Award selected by former Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson. Martinez’s powerful poem “If They Take Her” was read at the event, bringing attention to the current moment and exemplifying the importance of youth voices.  

Subsequently, Lisa Yun Lee, Executive Director of the National Public Housing Museum and 2013 Public Humanities Awards honoree, shared the history of The Public Square becoming an Illinois Humanities program as a space for civic dialogue advised by a board of activists, artists, and scholars.

Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Chris Vallillo closed out act one of the evening with a performance and sneak peek into his show, “Forgottonia,” an intimate portrait of rural Illinois.   

After a break for dinner, Jai Winston, Illinois Humanities Board Chair, and Rikeesha Phelon, Board Vice Chair, welcomed everyone to the second act, highlighting the organization’s work in action entering the 21st century including Chicago Humanities Festival and the Odyssey Project/Proyecto Odisea.

Odyssey alumni and Illinois Humanities Digital Communications and Database Manager, Tia Williams, and Dulce Diaz, Founder and Director of S.H.E. Gallery, each shared their stories and experiences in the free college program which empowers adult learners to jump-start their education.  

“Odyssey is an empowering and liberating educational journey,” said Williams. “One that can be life affirming and life changing.”  

Many Odyssey alumni have gone on to continue their education and pursue other ventures such as starting their own business or nonprofit. After graduating year one and two of the program feeling less alone and more confident, Diaz received a sponsorship to the University of Chicago’s Liberal Education for Adults program.  

Fairouz AbuGhazaleh, Illinois Humanities Director of Statewide Programs, then spoke about the organization’s work since 2020 including statewide programs and then introduced Erin Eveland, Executive Director of The HUB – Arts & Cultural Center in Rushville.

“Like many rural communities, we face challenges like distance, limited resources, and lack of infrastructure,” said Eveland. “That’s why our partnership with Illinois Humanities has been so important.”  

Through Museum on Main Street, The HUB was highlighted in a Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition hosted in Rushville. Most recently, an Illinois Humanities Activate History Microgrant is supporting their newest exhibit, Bicentennial Reflections, celebrating 200 years of Schuyler County.  

Executive Director Gabrielle H. Lyon returned to the stage to welcome everyone to the third and final act of the celebration. “The opportunity in 1974 is exactly the opportunity we have right now in 2025; to activate the humanities so that we can be in community with one another and develop wisdom and vision.” Lyon said, however, the organization is changing as the context for the work does and the vision expands. “We have never been needed more than right now.”    

Auctioneer Chris Hensley was then brought up for a live auction of four items: America 250 Newberry Library tour and dinner, Bisa Butler print, Danny Lyon photographs, and humanities trip to Paris. The auction was followed by a paddle raise, with every gift up to $50,000 to be matched. Remarkably over $400,000 was raised towards the 50th anniversary. Proceeds will directly support the future of continuing to bring free programs and grants to all 102 counties across Illinois, especially historically under-resourced and underserved communities.  

To close out the program, Faylita Hicks, queer writer, interdisciplinary artist, spiritual practitioner, and cultural strategist, shared a specially commissioned poem “Common Ground, Enduring Light” in celebration of Illinois Humanities’ 50th Anniversary.  

This milestone highlighted the organization’s history and impact while also celebrating the partners, organizations, donors, and humanists at the heart of the statewide community. Individuals and institutions are called on to stand in solidarity and champion the vital role of the humanities especially as the humanities face rising threats and shrinking federal support. Illinois Humanities’ core belief stands true that the humanities are vital to civic life, community connection, and social justice.  Attendees left the record-setting celebration having a better sense of what’s to come for the next 50 years and ready to answer the rallying call for the future of the public humanities in Illinois.