Praize Productions Inc., Celebrates 15 Years of Impact with “Begin Again” Gala and Legacy Awards

Praize Productions Inc., Celebrates 15 Years of Impact with “Begin Again” Gala and Legacy Awards


CHICAGO, IL – In a powerful alignment with Women’s History Month, Praize Productions, Inc. (PPI) proudly announces its 15th-anniversary celebration, The Begin Again Gala, taking place Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the historic House of Hope, 752 E 114th St, Chicago, IL 60628.

Founded and led by CEO Enneréssa LaNette Davis, PPI remains one of Chicago’s few professional arts organizations that is 100% woman-led, featuring an all-female dance company and a mission dedicated to the empowerment of young girls through the arts.

Breaking from its tradition of debut theatrical productions, this year’s milestone event will be a high-glamour gala featuring a "Live Mixtape" from the PPI vault. This immersive retrospective will showcase the most beloved, audience-favorite performances from the last 15 years, reimagined for a gala stage.

“Fifteen years ago, we set out to build more than just a dance company. We wanted to build a sanctuary for Black women’s narratives and a pipeline for future leaders,” says Enneréssa LaNette Davis. “Leading an all-woman organization in Chicago’s competitive arts landscape is a testament to our community’s strength. Begin Again is our way of honoring where we’ve been while solidifying the legacy we are leaving for the next generation of girls.”

A central highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Pillar Awards, recognizing leaders who have served as the foundation for PPI’s growth. This year, PPI will debut the Living Legend Award, named after a legendary Chicago dance pioneer.

Pillar Award Recipient: Kevin Iega Jeff, Artistic Director emeritus of Deeply Rooted Productions and founder of IegaMoves, for his profound impact on the Chicago dance landscape and his mentorship within the Black dance community.

Pillar Award Recipient: Iona Calhoun-Battiste, Senior Director of Collective Power at The Chicago Community Trust, for her visionary work in social impact and community investment.

Field Award Recipient: Daniel O. Ash, President of the Field Foundation, for his commitment to power-building and equity in Chicago’s underserved communities.

The Begin Again Gala will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at House of Hope in Chicago. Tickets for the event are available through April 12, 2026, or until the event sells out. Tickets will not be sold at the door. The event is currently 65 percent sold out, and seating is limited.

For more information and tickets, please visit https://praizeproductions.com/begin/

Praize Productions, Inc. is an award-winning, multidisciplinary arts organization based in Chicago. For 15 years, PPI has amplified the voices of Black artists and communities through professional dance, film, and theater. As a 100% women-led organization, PPI provides high-quality arts programming for the RIZE Pro-Elite and Youth Companies, ensuring that young Black girls have a platform to see their excellence reflected and celebrated.

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