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The 2023 Access Living Gala

 

Thank you for joining us

The 2023 Access Living Gala was a wonderful celebration of the disability community and we are happy you were there to celebrate with us. Through your commitment to disability inclusion and justice, Access Living continues to advance towards a more equitable world for all. Thank you to our sponsors, host committee, donors, and gala chair for their support of our mission.

Text on black background reading, "We Are Access Living."
Donate to the Gala

Event Highlights

Gala honoree Lachi poses for a picture in front of a purple Access Living banner. She is wearing a black crop top underneath a a bright red jacket and has a sparkly gold handbag.
A candid photo of honoree Lachi laughing joyfully with CEO Karen Tamley as Jorge Pineda and his personal attendant look on.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson poses for a picture with members of Access Living's board of directors and the Gala Host Committee Chair Drew Beres.
Jorge Pineada accepts the Access Living Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of his late wife, Judy Heumann.
Access Living CEO Karen Tamley poses for a picture with MOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa.
Group photo of Access Living staff members Latricia Seye, Laura Saltzman, Amber Smock, and Nick Boyle.
Three women hold up a square purple sign that says We Are Access Living. They're standing in front of a purple backdrop with a white Access Living logo repeatedly stamped across it.
A table of sponsors and their guests during dinner being greeted by CEO Karen Tamley.
In the audience, Lachi excitedly holds up her own sparkly white cane - her glam cane - for the camera.
Michael Herzovi and Sarah Michaelson, seated at a table during dinner, smile for the camera.
The projector screen as it shows a picture of a young Judy Heumann speaking to several people in a living room. Text across the top of the picture reads, "Heumann v. Board of Education of the City of New York." The captions at the bottom read, "...the first disability civil rights case."
A rear shot of guests watching a video tribute to Judy Heumann. The camera's focus is on Judy's widower, honored guest Jorge Pineda. He watches the video of his late wife speaking from his place in the audience.
Tom Reid, a gala sponsor, and the woman seated next to him, applaud."
Emcee Sylvia Ewing speaks to the audience from a clear podium.
Gala honoree Lachi speaks at a podium on stage with an ASL interpreter to her left.
Honoree Lachi poses with the Gala emcee Sylvia Ewing in front of a purple and white Access Living backdrop.
The gala auctioneer holding up an item for auction: a sparkly white cane donated by Lachi to the event.
Mayor Brandon Johnson poses with a man in a gray plaid suit.
Honoree Lachi with Access Living board member Denise Avant in front of a purple Access Living backdrop. Both are holding white canes. Lachi's is covered in pink rhinestones. Both are smiling happily.
A group shot of several gala sponsors during dinner. The sign on their table reads "CIBC Bank USE"
Sponsors Elizabeth Hofstetter, Becky Novak, and Laura Isaacs smile for the camera.
Host Committee Chair Drew Beres smiles with a woman with red hair.
A group picture of a table of guests during dinner.
Two women grinning happily in front of a purple backdrop stamped with a white Access Living logo. They both look like they are having a lot of fun.
A man and woman hold up a square purple sign that says We Are Access Living. They're standing in front of a purple backdrop with a white Access Living logo repeatedly stamped across it.
A table of sponsors and their guests during dinner.
Mayor Brandon Johnson smiles, chatting with Jourdan Sorrell.
A table of attendees all smiling and clapping. The camera's focus is on gala honoree Lachi as she smiles and applauds.
Artist Genevieve Ramos presents gala honoree Lachi with a portrait of herself. Lachi has one hand near her mouth as though in surprised delight. In the portrait on an orange background, a Black woman with a beautiful Afro gazes off to the left. She wears heavy gold earrings and has gold necklaces around her neck. The woman's shoulders are bare.
A table of guests during the paddle raise auction. They are seated at a table marked "Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC."
Committee Chair Drew Beres, Access Living Director of Development Barbara Khalouf, MOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa, and a gala sponsor pose for a group picture.
Two gala sponsors smile for the camera.
Gala Host Committee Chair Drew Beres poses for a picture with two men in dark suits.
A table of sponsors and their guests during dinner.
Candace Coleman poses with Adam Ballard and a woman in a black dress with white pattern.
Mayor Brandon Johnson smiles off camera as a a woman in a white jacket laughs at something that just happened.
A group picture of a table of guests during dinner, including Andres Gallegos.
MOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa poses with a woman in a black and white dress and Access Living Policy Analyst Laura Saltzman
A table of sponsors and their guests during dinner.
Mayor Brandon Johnson shakes hands with Steve Saltzman.
Director of Development Barbara Khalouf and Access Living Independent Living Skills Coordinator Carleda Johnson smile together.
A table of sponsors and their guests during dinner.
Access Living senior attorney Ken Walden poses with Kristi Kirscherr and Raymond Curry.
Mayor Brandon Johnson shakes hands with a woman in a white dress with a black geometric pattern.
Several Access Living board members smile together for the camera.
Access Living attornies Mary Rosenberg and Ken Walden pose with guest Rachel Weisberg.
A group of gala sponsors pose for a group picture.
Audience members watching a video tribute to Judy Heumann on a projector screen, which is showing Judy giving a Ted Talk at TedX MidAtlantic. The captions at the bottom read, "...what disability meant to some people: fear."
Mayor Brandon Johnson clasps hands with Access Living board member Denis Avant.
Three Access Living staff members pose for a photo.
A table of sponsors and their guests during dinner.
Mayor Johnson poses for a selfie with a guest.
Honoree Lachi poses for a picture with a guest.
A man with a huge grin embraces a woman in a red lack jacket.
Mayor Johnson shakes hands with Mark Ishaug.
Two guests pose together for the camera, smiling.
A group photo of several gala sponsors.
Audience members watching a video of Karen Tamley, Access Living president and CEO, speaking about Access Living's work.
A cocktail table with a vase of flowers and a small sign that reads, "Here are some wasy you can give. Text WeAreAL to 44-321. Visit www.accessliving.org/WeAreAL. Thank you for your support." There is also a QR code.
Group photo of Access Living staff members Amber Smock, Latricia Seye, Neelam Dhadankar, and Candace Coleman
Three members of Access Living's staff (Jerome Palliser, Nichole Shields, and Ashley Eisenmenger) hold up a square purple sign that says We Are Access Living. They're standing in front of a purple backdrop with a white Access Living logo repeatedly stamped across it. They are all grinning.
A group shot of several gala sponsors during dinner.
Access Living Director of Independent Living Latricia Seye, holding up a square purple sign that says We Are Access Living. She is standing in front of a purple backdrop with a white Access Living logo repeatedly stamped across it.
Honored guest Jorge Pineda, a wheelchair user, smiles at the camera from in front of a window.
An exuberent group photo of honoree Lachi, CEO Karen Tamley, honored guest Jorge Pineda, and Jorge's personal attendant in front of a purple and white Access Living backdrop.
A table of sponsors and their guests during dinner.
Lachi, a young Black woman, looks off camera, one hand near her lips. She has a bright red flower topping a bun of braids that matches her lipstick. She is wearing dangly earrings, a cambry shirt tied at her waist, and some truly fantastic leather pants.
Gala honoree Lachi speaks at a podium on stage with an ASL interpreter to her left.

The 2023 Lead On Award: Lachi

This year, Access Living’s signature Lead On award went to multi-award-winning artist, GRAMMY Awards Board DEI Ambassador and Founder and President of RAMPD.org, Lachi.

Born legally blind, Lachi has dedicated her platform and craft to amplifying disability culture, promoting inclusion and advocating for accessibility in the music industry.

At this year’s gala, Lachi honored us with not only a live performance, but gave us an exclusive first look at her newest music video before it drops. As of this writing it has yet to air, but when it does we will be sure to link to it!**

We were proud to present Lachi with an additional gift: a portrait of herself painted by Access Living’s artist-in-residence, Genevieve Ramos. Genevieve’s portrait of Lachi features tactile elements designed specifically for a low vision or blind recipient.

Thank you, Lachi, for the gift of your music and all you have done to advance disability inclusion. We can’t wait to see what you do next.

Lachi’s music video for her new song honoring Judy Heumann dropped on July 25, 2023. Check out the Lift Me Up music video here.

Artist Genevieve Ramos presents gala honoree Lachi with a portrait of herself. Lachi has one hand near her mouth as though in surprised delight. In the portrait on an orange background, a Black woman with a beautiful Afro gazes off to the left. She wears heavy gold earrings and has gold necklaces around her neck. The woman's shoulders are bare.
Lachi and artist Genevieve Ramos hold up Genevieve's painting of Lachi together to show the audience. Lachi has tears in her eyes. Both are smiling happily.

The Access Living Lifetime Achievement Award: Judy Heumann

For the first time ever, Access Living presented an Access Living Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Judy Heumann in honor of her life and legacy. This inaugural award was accepted at the 2023 Gala by Judy’s husband, Jorge.

Judy became a household name in 2020 with the premier of the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp, a film that highlights her lifelong work pushing for disability rights in every aspect of modern society. Access Living had the privilege of knowing Judy, through working with her and in learning from her, for the past four decades.

The Judy Heumann International Disability Institute

At the 2023 Gala, Access Living announced the Judy Heumann International Disability Institute, through which we will remember Judy and honor her legacy as we build a more inclusive world for disabled people.

Side by side pictures of Judy Heumann. On the left, Judy as a young woman speaking at a rally for the 504 Rehabilitation Act. On the right, a professional photo of Judy in maturity as a senior member of the disability rights movement.
Jorge Pineada accepts the Access Living Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of his late wife, Judy Heumann.
The projector screen as it shows a picture of a young Judy Heumann speaking to several people in a living room. Text across the top of the picture reads, "Heumann v. Board of Education of the City of New York." The captions at the bottom read, "...the first disability civil rights case."
A rear shot of guests watching a video tribute to Judy Heumann. The camera's focus is on Judy's widower, honored guest Jorge Pineda. He watches the video of his late wife speaking from his place in the audience.

The 2023 Host Committee Chair

Professional head shot of Drew Beres
Drew Beres
Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres logo

Drew Beres is a co-founder of CROKE FAIRCHILD DUARTE & BERES and serves as the Managing Partner. A corporate attorney, Drew is a longtime, avid supporter of Access Living. He has successfully guided investment funds, financial institutions, government agencies, highly regulated companies, family offices, emerging and growth companies, and Fortune 100 companies through some of their most challenging issues and compelling opportunities. Prior to co-founding the Firm, Drew was a corporate attorney at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Read Drew’s full bio.

Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors

Changemakers

Visionary

Allstate Insurance Company

Drew L. Beres and Mia Buntic

CIBC Bank USA

McDonald’s Corporation

Northwestern Medicine

SEIU Healthcare IL/IN/MO/KS

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

U.S. Bank N.A.

Jennifer and Alex Brown

Clayco, Inc.

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

Carol and Peter Goldman

HUB International

Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd

RUSH University Medical Center

John Schmidt and Janet Gilboy

Walsh-McKillip Family