Bright Promises 2021 Awards Honors Chicago Changemakers

Last week, Bright Promises gathered with hundreds of our friends, partners, and supporters both in-person and virtually for the celebration of the 2021 Awards.

The 2021 Awards is Bright Promises' signature fundraising event that plays an essential role in ensuring low-income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) children and youth receive the support and access to programs they need to flourish and thrive.

This year, we were thrilled to honor the following changemakers:

• Xavier McElrath-Bey, Co-Executive Director of the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (2021 Champion for Children Award)
• Brenda Myers-Powell, Founder and Co-Executive Director of The Dreamcatcher Foundation (2021 Lifetime Achievement Award)
• Berto Aguayo, Founder of Increase the Peace (2021 Elevating Youth Voices Award)
• Meade Palidofsky, Founder and outgoing Artistic Director of Storycatcher's Theater (Bright Promises Foundation Visionary Award)

These honorees deeply embody our mission to create opportunities for all children and youth to reach their full promise and potential. It is a privilege to recognize their incredible contributions with these awards.

Read more about the award recipients in the 2021 Awards digital program.
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We are so grateful to everyone who attended in-person, to everyone who hosted and attended watch parties, and to everyone who joined us virtually. We want to thank our sponsors, especially our Presenting Sponsors Azteca Foods Inc. and the David and Susan Kreisman Family Foundation, our co-chairs Michelle Morales and Sarah Duncan, our host committee, and all of you who have made your contribution to support our mission. Thank you for supporting Bright Promises Foundation!

Couldn't attend? You can still experience the 2021 Awards for yourself. Watch the recording of the livestream to hear the inspirational remarks from this year's honorees and to see a special performance by Storycatcher's Theater.

Watch the 2021 Awards livestream recording here.