THE WORD: The Chicago Culture Ball is preparing to celebrate five years of highlighting the people helping shape the city’s culture, while also using this year’s milestone event to honor the legacy of Landon “DJ Commando” Wallace with a new scholarship supporting Chicago’s next generation.
The 5th Annual Chicago Culture Ball returns Saturday, August 15, at the Obama Presidential Center, bringing together creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, elected officials, business leaders and other changemakers from across Chicago.
This year’s celebration will include an awards ceremony, live performances, a chef-driven dining experience and cocktails as the Culture Ball recognizes a class of 20 honorees whose work spans music, art, business, media, public service, health care and community leadership.
Among the 2026 honorees are Chicago fashion designer and Just Don founder Don C, contemporary artist and visual storyteller Hebru Brantley, GRAMMY Award-winning poet J. Ivy, Illinois State Rep. and Speaker Pro Tempore Kambium Buckner, radio personality Tone Kapone, Chicago Loop Alliance President and CEO Dr. Suzet McKinney, physician and entrepreneur Dr. Wendy McDonald, and award-winning Heavy Hitter DJ Rashan “Sean Mac” Rogers.
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The class also includes Kim Lewis, Jason Mercer, Charles Kuykendoll, Darrell Spencer, Rashauna Scott, Kareem Edwards, Keeana Barber, Resa Luster Mac, McKinley Nelson, Dr. Veronica Appleton, Keianna Barrett and Trez V. Pugh III.
Honoring the Legacy of DJ Commando
Alongside this year’s honorees, the Chicago Culture Ball is making the celebration especially meaningful by honoring longtime Culture Ball DJ Landon “DJ Commando” Wallace.
For years, DJ Commando helped provide the soundtrack to the Chicago Culture Ball, bringing what organizers described as his signature sound, style and energy to the experience. His relationship with the organization extended beyond being its DJ, with the Culture Ball describing Wallace as part of its family and an important part of the event’s history.
In partnership with Wallace’s family, organizers have now established the 2026 Landon “DJ Commando” Wallace Memorial Scholarship, designed to invest in Chicago’s next generation of talent and creatives.
“His presence is deeply missed, but his impact continues to live on through the people, memories, and opportunities he helped create.”
The inaugural recipient of the scholarship is expected to be recognized during this year’s Culture Ball, allowing Wallace’s impact on Chicago culture to continue by creating an opportunity for someone coming behind him.
For an event built around celebrating the people influencing Chicago’s present and future, the scholarship adds another layer to its fifth anniversary — honoring someone who helped build the Culture Ball experience while investing in the next generation.
THE WORD
What: 5th Annual Chicago Culture Ball
When: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Where: Obama Presidential Center, Home Court, 6121 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago
2026 Class: 20 Chicago leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs and changemakers
Special Tribute: Landon “DJ Commando” Wallace Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Mission: Supporting the next generation of Chicago talent and creatives
