Description

Join AABA for our 2026 Juneteenth CEO Celebration & Awards Gala, an elegant evening honoring Black business excellence in Will County, celebrating Freedom, Resilience, and Excellence!

Some evenings you remember for the rest of your life, not just for what was celebrated, but for how it made you feel. The AABA 2026 Juneteenth CEO Celebration & Awards Gala is one of those evenings.

Join the African American Business Association of Will County for a landmark gathering that honors the entrepreneurs, innovators, community partners, and CEOs who are boldly defining what Black business excellence looks like in Will County and beyond. Set against the backdrop of Juneteenth, a day that stands as one of the most powerful symbols of freedom in American history, this gala is a celebration of how far we've come, and an inspired vision of how far we'll go together.

An Unforgettable Evening

More than 400 distinguished guests will gather for a night of sophistication and inspiration, including influential business leaders, corporate partners, elected officials, and community advocates, all united by a shared commitment to economic empowerment and community progress.

Event Schedule:

• Cocktail Hour: 5:30 PM, Mix, mingle, and connect with some of Will County's most impactful leaders 
• Gala Program: 6:30 PM, A program honoring the individuals and organizations that are moving our community forward 

Why You Should Be in the Room

The AABA Gala is one of Will County's most anticipated events of the year, and for good reason. Whether you're a longtime AABA member, a corporate partner, an emerging entrepreneur, or a community champion, this evening offers something truly special: the opportunity to be in a room full of people who believe in the power of community, excellence, and economic progress, and who are actively living it.

Come to celebrate. Come to connect. Come to be inspired by leaders whose stories remind us that resilience, vision, and commitment to community are the foundations of every great success.

This is an evening where business leaders, corporate partners, elected officials, and community advocates from across Will County and beyond come together, united by a shared belief that when our community thrives, we all thrive.

This is your invitation to be part of something that matters.

Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! CLICK HERE to download this year's sponsorship kit.