Black & Gold Celebration 2026
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Bally's Quad Cities Casino & Hotel | Rock Island, Illinois
Dinner | Silent Auction
2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
5:30PM
Cocktail Reception
& Silent Auction
6:30PM
Dinner &
Event Program
Guest Speaker and BHC Alumnus
Kenneth E. Allison, Hall of Fame, Class of 2023
A distinguished Black Hawk College alumnus and 2023 Hall of Fame inductee, Kenneth E. Allison’s leadership journey began in the Quad Cities, where he excelled as a student-athlete on Black Hawk’s state championship track team and earned recognition among the nation’s outstanding minority community college graduates. That foundation led to a remarkable career in public health and federal service, including breaking barriers as the first Black male program manager for Colorado’s State Health Facilities Department and serving with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—while remaining deeply committed to mentorship, service, and community leadership. Read more
Live Entertainment
Black Hawk College Jazz Ensemble
Celebrating the confluence of education, determination and unlimited possibilites.
Held each spring, the Black and Gold Celebration is our premier fundraising event—an evening of dinner, a silent auction, and live entertainment—a time to unite our Black Hawk College community.
We come together with the people and organizations whose dedication to Black Hawk College helps turn big ideas into reality. Working alongside our passionate faculty and staff, their support drives workforce growth, supports families, enhances communities, and opens doors to opportunity throughout the region—all while we celebrate the enduring accomplishments of our alumni by welcoming new members into the Hall of Fame.”
It's a celebration of BHC's legacy, a commitment to what's possible, and an investment in a future where the ripple effect of Black Hawk College reaches far beyond the classroom.
Our 2025 Black & Gold Event
The 2025 Black & Gold Celebration raised more than $56,000 for the Black Hawk College Foundation. The third annual event featured the 2025 BHC Alumni Hall of Fame induction, live music from the BHC Jazz Ensemble and a silent auction. Fritz Larsen, chair of the BHC Board of Trustees and a 2013 BHC alum, was the guest speaker.
Eight new members have been inducted into the Black Hawk College Hall of Fame. “These outstanding alumni (pictured below) made the most of their time at Black Hawk College and have gone on to make meaningful contributions in our community,” said Zenaida Landeros, executive director of the Black Hawk College Foundation. “We’re proud to recognize their achievements and welcome them into the Hall of Fame,” she said. Read more
2025 Event Photos
