November 3, 2020

The pops of champagne might have been replaced by the clicks of keyboards, but that didn’t stop our annual Celebrating Allies event from being a huge hit! 

On October 15, CAASE took the festivities to Zoom, hosting a number of speakers and performers from our inimitable community of advocates and allies. Just like other years, we spent the evening highlighting CAASE’s work improving laws, educating allies, and championing survivors of sexual harm in Chicago while seeking funds to bolster our efforts. And just like other years, our community demonstrated enormous generosity. The virtual cocktail reception raised over $18,000 for programs and services that impact the lives of survivors!

At the beginning of the happy occasion, guests were treated with a live cocktail demonstration from mixologist Mishel Chinbat, who created a Fall-inspired Whiskey Sour specifically for the event. Then, the audience took in performances from Saunte` Harden-Tate, testimonials from CAASE staff and board members, and, finally, an incredibly moving personal account from CAASE client, survivor, and entrepreneur Asia (Songbyrd) Jamal. 

Inspiring nights like these give CAASE an opportunity to honor those transforming our city and social movements. This year, we had the honor of celebrating Scheherazade Tillet, Co-Founder and Executive Director of A Long Walk Home. It is a Chicago-based national nonprofit that cultivates the next generation of leaders committed to gender equity and racial justice. Founded in 2003 by Tillet and her sister Salamishah, A Long Walk Home works with artists, students, activists, therapists, community organizations, and cultural institutions to elevate marginalized voices, facilitate healing, and activate social change. 

We are so grateful to all those who supported Celebrating Allies and hope we are able to gather in person next year. The generous backing of our sponsors, including Boomerang Information Services, the Motorola Solutions Foundation, and Russell Investments, coupled with attendees’ contributions is a compelling testament to the power of our community to join together to end sexual harm.

If you would like to support CAAES’s work, please consider making a donation.

This piece was primarily authored by KT Hawbaker with assistance from Hayley Forrestal.