The wait was over, the Springfield Urban League’s 100th Anniversary Celebration became a night to remember.
On September 12, 2026, more than 1,000 guests gathered at the Bank of Springfield Center to celebrate a century of service, impact, and community with an unforgettable evening featuring 13-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Babyface.
The celebration marked a significant milestone for the Springfield Urban League, which for 100 years has worked to change lives, strengthen communities, and create opportunities throughout Central Illinois. The Centennial Celebration honored that legacy while looking ahead to the next century of “The Movement.”
A Night of Timeless Music
As the lights dimmed and anticipation filled the room, the legendary Babyface took the stage.
From the first note, the room came alive. More than 1,000 voices joined together, singing along to songs that have provided the soundtrack to generations of love, joy, heartbreak, and unforgettable moments.
Babyface’s remarkable career has made him one of the most influential creative forces in modern music. His timeless contributions to R&B and pop have shaped the sound of generations, making his appearance at the Urban League’s Centennial Celebration a fitting centerpiece for a night dedicated to history, legacy, and the future.
Throughout the performance, the celebration became something more than a concert. Friends and families danced together. Couples held one another a little closer. Generations sang the same lyrics and shared in the same joy.
For one evening, decades of memories connected through music came together in one room.
Celebrating a Century of Impact
While Babyface provided the evening’s unforgettable entertainment, the heart of the celebration remained the Springfield Urban League’s 100-year legacy of service.
For a century, we have been committed to creating opportunities, strengthening families and communities, and advancing its mission throughout Central Illinois. The Centennial Celebration served as both a reflection on that history and a celebration of the people who have helped carry the mission forward.
The evening offered an opportunity to recognize where the organization has been, celebrate where it is today, and look toward the next 100 years of service and progress.
100 Years and Counting
The Springfield Urban League’s 100th Anniversary Celebration was more than a milestone. It was a reflection of a century of dedication, resilience, service, and community.
It was history.
It was legacy.
And it was a celebration of 100 years of “The Movement” through the power of music and the strength of community.
As the final notes faded and the evening came to a close, one thing was clear: the Centennial Celebration was not simply a look back at the past. It was a celebration of everything that has been accomplished and an invitation to continue building toward the next 100 years.
What a night. What a celebration. What a way to commemorate 100 years.
