This marks Chicago United’s 40th year as the catalyst driving business leaders to maximize economic impact for all races.

Under the theme, Torchbearers of the Dream: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future, this event will celebrate the impact Chicago United has had in the areas of education, transportation, housing, affirmative action, economic development and building minority businesses of scale over the past four decades as well as articulating the organization’s vision for the next decade.

Having tripled in attendance over the past five years, the Bridge Awards Dinner has become the ideal opportunity for networking with executives from Chicago’s leading businesses. The 40th celebration will bring together the most diverse assembly of past, present and future dynamic leaders in Chicago focused on developing sustained diversity in corporate governance, management and business partnerships.

During the Gala Dinner, the National Bridge Award will be presented to Indra K. Nooyi, chairman and CEO, PepsiCo, for her extraordinary commitment to diverse business practices at the board and executive
management levels of a publicly held corporation.

Preceding the Gala, the 5th Annual Changing Color of Leadership Conference will feature a series of six workshop sessions that will provide participants with in-depth insights into the complexities of diversity and inclusion that increasingly touch every aspect of the business environment. Nationally recognized experts in the field of diversity will highlight current trends, best practices, and strategies for minority business enterprises to grow their businesses and for corporate professionals to develop multiracial leadership in their organizations.