Black Inventors Hall of Fame 2nd Annual Induction Ceremony

Join us on Thursday, July 16, 2026, for a landmark evening as the Black Inventors Hall of Fame hosts its 2nd Annual Induction Ceremony & Fundraising Gala at the prestigious Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago.

This unforgettable night will celebrate the visionary men and women whose inventions have shaped industries, transformed daily life, and expanded the boundaries of human possibility. Through powerful storytelling, cinematic honoree tributes, and a gathering of leaders across technology, education, philanthropy, and culture, we honor the legacy of Black ingenuity.

This year’s ceremony also serves a vital purpose:
raising support to build the permanent BIHOF Museum & Innovation Campus — a national home for the preservation, celebration, and advancement of Black innovation.

Your attendance directly fuels this mission to build the nation's first museum honoring Black Innovation

Info: The Cocktail hour offers an opportunity to mingle with our honorees, BIHOF Board members, VIP guests, and take photos at our photobooths

Info: As guests dine on a three-course meal, we honor eight present-day invention pioneers and seven legends from our past. In addition, we recognize our first Young Innovators Award and pay a special tribute to the late Gladys West

Info: After the honorees are acknowledged, we close the evening with some celebration music and dancing, and late-night sweets

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1201 E 60th St, 1201 East 60th Street, Chicago, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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