2026 1^stGEN Scholarship Gala: Aspire

On Friday, September 25, 2026, the Chicago State Foundation will host its seventh annual 1stGEN Scholarship Gala: Aspire, presented by Northern Trust. This annual event will not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors below, whose commitment to bridging the gap of racial inequity in education parallels that of Chicago State University, the only 4-year Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) in Illinois.