Apna Ghar

Apna Ghar provides holistic services and conducts advocacy across immigrant communities to end gender violence.

35th Anniversary Gala

Event Information

Join us for Apna Ghar’s 35th Anniversary Gala: Together We Thrive at 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026, Venue West in Chicago. The event will be a vibrant gathering with more than 300 of Chicago’s prominent civic, community and corporate leaders, activists, and organizational partners and supporters who will come together for a fun and inspiring evening.

Sponsorship Information

SPONSORSHIPS To sponsor our event, please click here. 

For more details please contact, Apna Ghar’s development manager Uneza Akhtar at (224) 636-2858 or by email uakhtar@apnaghar.org.

Honoree Information

We are proud to recognize The Honorable Justice Sanjay T. Tailor with Apna Ghar’s Trailblazer Award for his historic appointment as the first Asian American in the history of the state to be appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Tailor is a former Board President and longtime supporter of Apna Ghar’s, and we are truly inspired by his dedication to fairness and equity! 

We are proud to recognize the The Parvin and Ramzan Dhanji Family Foundation with Apna Ghar’s Champion Award for their steadfast and transformative support! We are deeply inspired by their generosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and visionary leadership. Both Parvin and Ramzan have been an integral part of Apna Ghar from the very start of our organization. Their investment has helped us reach new heights.

We are proud to recognize Dr. Sonia Oyola, Founder and President of the Be Alright Foundation with Apna Ghar’s Advocacy Award, for her generous support, and unwavering commitment to elevating gender justice. Dr. Oyola exemplifies care and compassion and we are also fortunate to have benefited from her professional expertise, which has helped us shape our programs.

We are proud to recognize Chef Uzma Sharif, Founder of Chocolat Uzma  with Apna Ghar’s Advoacy Award for her generosity, and her innovative, and entrepreneurial spirit. Uzma’s bold vision for the future has fueled meaningful change and creative collaborations. Uzma is a connector and cultural storyteller, and we are truly grateful for the care and commitment she has shown us. 

Presenters Information

Thank you to our esteemed presenters – Alpa Jayanti Patel, Chief Deputy, Cook County Public Guardian, K. Sujata, Executive Transition Consultant and Philanthropist, Radhika Sharma Gordon, founding Apna Ghar staff member and current Training and Technical Assistance Specialist, and entrepreneurs Khelan and Anjoo Rai-Marchant, for introducing the honorees!

Host Information

 Ravi Baichwal, an Emmy Award–winning anchor and reporter with ABC 7 Chicago, and a friend of Apna Ghar’s, will co-host the gala with our very own Rahul Sharma, founder of Strategic Inclusion Consulting, LLC and founder and bandleader of Funkadesi, Chicago’s award‑winning Afro‑Indo‑global music collective.

Musical Guests

The Funkadesi Trio, Rahul Sharma on sitar, Lloyd Brodnax King on flute and Ajay Randhawa on dholki along with DJ L O KARI will create an electric musical experience throughout the evening to mark Apna Ghar’s 35th Anniversary!

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