It’s our 10th anniversary!
Join us for a very special Horizon Gala
Saturday, May 2, 2026
6-10pm
Foster Progress is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Gala, an unforgettable evening honoring a decade of empowering youth in foster care. Guests will enjoy an elegant seated dinner, an exciting silent auction, and lively dancing, all while hearing powerful stories from students whose lives have been changed through Foster Progress. It’s a night of celebration, reflection, and community—bringing together supporters who believe in possibility, resilience, and brighter futures for young people with lived foster care experience.
The Ivy Room
12 East Ohio Street
Chicago, Illinois
Your contributions help to make the college dream come true for youth who have experienced foster care.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Introducing our host for the evening…
Keke is the voice of the next generation—an award-winning radio personality who blends passion with purpose. She started as an intern at iHeartMedia Chicago and worked her way from behind the scenes to the spotlight.
Now, she’s heard nationwide on the nationally syndicated morning show, The Fred Show on 103.5 KISS-FM, while also hosting Weekends with KeKe on WGCI in Chicago, New Orleans, and Norfolk, Virginia.
She's a 2024 Gracie Award winner, named a “Rising Radio Star” by Radio Facts Magazine and a “Future African American Radio Leader," by Radio Ink Magazine. KeKe is known for viral moments and standout celebrity interviews. She’s appeared on ABC 7 Chicago, Fox 32 Chicago, and The Breakfast Club.
When she's not on the air, she co-hosts The What More Can I Say Podcast with Tone Kapone and Zach Boog and films her cooking show, Cooking with Keke & Ryan. KeKe also covers major events, and leads “The Kickback With Keke,” her after-school program serving underserved youth in Chicago’s south suburbs.
From intern to industry force—KeKe is just getting started.
Advocacy Award Honoree, Illinois Senator, Lakesia Collins
Senator Collins is a dedicated public servant, Chicago native, mother of three, former foster youth, and former nursing home worker and former rank and file member of SEIU Healthcare IL, who served as a spokesperson for the “Fight for $15” campaign advocating for healthcare workers. She is a strong advocate for seniors, working-class families, youth in care, education, public safety, affordable housing, and mental health.
Senator Collins previously represented the 9th House District. Sen. Collins has successfully passed several bills, including measures to restore childcare, provide free dental care for low-income families and veterans, protect reproductive rights, and reform the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). She currently serves on the following committees Appropriations - Education, Appropriations - Health and Human Services, Behavioral and Mental Health, Child Welfare, Consumer Protection, Criminal Law, Human Rights
Senator Collins has also held leadership roles, including serving as Chair of the Illinois House Black Caucus, and she currently serves as the Joint Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Her contributions to the community have earned her numerous accolades.
Evans Excellence Award Honoree, Meegan Dugan Adell
Meegan Dugan Adell is a longtime champion of Foster Progress and one of the organization’s earliest and most consistent leaders. A member of the very first Board of Directors and the second Board Chair, Meegan has helped shape Foster Progress since its earliest days. Professionally, Meegan leads New America Chicago at The Chicago Community Trust, where her work focuses on advancing equity and economic mobility through research, policy, and community partnerships. Her career has centered on expanding educational and economic opportunity, making her a fitting recipient of the Evans Excellence Award in recognition of both her professional impact and her enduring commitment to Foster Progress and the success of young people with foster care experience.
Thank you for making the 2025 Horizon Benefit a great success!
A special “Thank You” to Marlon and The Shakes for the wonderful entertainment, to Dani Hollis, our energetic emcee and Mehgan at Bold Wanderlust Photography for capturing essence and beauty of the evening.
