It's been 26 years since the Gates Millennium Scholars Program started changing lives. And now we're throwing a celebration! Officially, it’s a Summit. But when you bring this many resilient, inspiring people into one room, it’s so much more than that.
Save the Date!
What: Pay It Forward Summit
When: Friday, August 14, 2026
Where: The Obama Presidential Center, Chicago, Illinois
Who: You. Your fellow alumni. Friends of SEN.
Why: Because changing the world works better when we do it together
Similar, to Scholars Equity Network’s mission to position our alumni to give back to the communities they come from, the Obama Foundation's mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.
This Pay It Forward Summit is where individual success becomes community investment. Where we seek to transform the $1.6 billion invested in us into infrastructure for our underserved communities.
Event Programming:
The final agenda will be shaped by our selected presenters (hint: apply to present!). However, to give you an idea of what the day will look like, please see our tentative agenda (subject to change):
Free Head Shots will be available for attendees.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast (& informal networking)
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM | SEN Opening Remarks
9:10 AM – 10:00 AM | Keynote
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM | SEN Presentation
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Lightning Talks & PechaKucha
12:00PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch
1:10 PM – 2:10 PM | Economic Empowerment - Concurrent Workshops - TBD
10 Minute Break
2:20 PM – 3:20 PM | Personal & Professional Development - Concurrent Workshops - TBD
10 Minute Break (Snacks Available)
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Civic Engagement - Concurrent Workshops - TBD
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Reception (Sky Room Vista)
7:00 PM | Legacy and Leadership Celebration Dinner Dinner (Nelson Mandela Sky Room)
Be sure to sign up for our Newsletter to stay up to date on the agenda.
Pricing:
Early Bird:$200 (available until May 23, 2026)
Regular:$250
Student/Hardship Rate: $100 (email us at admin@scholarsequity.org to learn and apply for this option).
Registration:
Registration launches on May 1, 2026. You will be able to register for the Summit through SEN Connect.
Hotel:
We're have hotel discount code offering rooms at $219 a night that is available until July 13th. Wewill provide this code to registered attendees.
Call for Speakers & Presenters:
What We're Looking For: Breakout session proposals across our three tracks: Economic Empowerment, Personal & Professional Development, and Civic Engagement. Think entrepreneurship workshops, salary negotiation masterclasses, running for office 101, trauma-informed leadership, investment literacy, and community organizing.
Session Formats:
Interactive workshops (hands-on, skills-focused)
Lightning Talk or PechaKucha (Equity in Action) (6-8 minutes)
Panel discussions (multiple perspectives, good Q&A)
Presentation + Q&A (focused talk with discussion)
Who Should Apply: Anyone with expertise our network needs.
The Deal: Selected presenters get free Summit registration. We can't cover travel, but we're happy to help you make the case to your employer that presenting at our Summit is professional development.
Deadline: Proposal must be submitted by May 31, 2026. Submit your proposal here.
Call for Speakers
Apply to be a Presenter
Bronze
Legacy Builder
Trailblazer
Rising Star
Event Sponsorship Packages
This Summit is more than a gathering, it’s a reflection of everything this network has built over the past 26 years. From the first Gates Millennium Scholars in 2000 to today, our community has grown into a powerful force of alumni making an impact in ways big and small: in their careers, in their communities, and in the lives of those around them.
Creating space for that kind of connection, recognition, and momentum takes intention and resources. To make this Summit possible and to continue growing sustainable programming for the future, we’ve created a range of partnership opportunities designed to be accessible and reflective of our community.
These sponsorship opportunities highlight the work and ventures within our network while helping bring this milestone event to life. Partners are recognized across event materials, including the program, newsletter, and website directory, and are featured among a community that believes in showing up for and investing in one another.
Whether through an alumni-owned business, a venture, helping us connect with potential corporate partners, or individual participation, there are meaningful ways to be part of what we’re building—both for this summit and for what comes next.
Become a Pay It Forward Sponsor today!
If you’re interested in helping, please reach out to admin@scholarsequity.org.
