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.
Pricing:
Regular:$250
Student/Hardship Rate: $100 (email us at admin@scholarsequity.org to learn and apply for this option).
Registration:
You can register for the Summit through SEN Connect.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
WORKSHOPS
Our official programming agenda will be available at a future date. Be sure to sign up for our Newsletter.
Headshot Lounge Sponsor
Reception Sponsor
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.
