THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3RD 2026

6:00 – 9:00 P.M.

ON JACKSON IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX

245 E Jackson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Celebrating 25 years of Cultivating, Nurturing, and Strengthening Belonging in the Community

The DLA Culture Ball is a one-of-a-kind black-tie celebration of culture, joy, and community. Come dressed to celebrate your heritage, share your traditions, and honor the collective resilience that makes our community stronger.

Our Vision

You arrive just after sunset. The sky is deep indigo, and strings of warm light glow overhead like constellations.As you step forward, you’re greeted by a canopy of flags, every country, every culture, gently moving in the evening air.

You hear music before you see it. A rhythm that feels familiar and new all at once. Drums. Strings. Voices. The sound of many cultures blending into one. Ahead of you, a red carpet unfolds, not traditional, but transformed. People aren’t in black and white. They’re in color. Brilliant color. Silks, beadwork, embroidery, patterns passed down through generations. People dressed in the cultures that shaped them, proud, joyful, fully seen.

You move through the space and the world opens up around you. To one side, a runway where fashion from across the globe comes to life. To another, live performances; dancers, musicians, ceremonial moments, each one telling a story of heritage, resilience, and belonging.

The air carries a unique scent, a mixture of spices, citrus, and sweetness, pulling you toward food stations from every corner of the world. Small plates, shared tables, conversations sparked between people who may have never met but feel connected in this moment.

There’s laughter. There’s movement. There’s learning without lectures.  Celebration without exclusion. And then, the room comes together. The music softens. The lights shift. We pause, and collectively, honor 25 years of the Diversity Leadership Alliance. Twenty-five years of courage. Of difficult conversations. Of creating spaces where people don’t have to choose between who they are and where they belong. This isn’t just a gala. It’s not just an anniversary. It’s the world in one room reminding us what’s possible when we choose unity, curiosity, and humanity.

2026 Event Co-Chairs

Juan Taveras
Chief Human Resources Officer
Village Health Clubs and Spas
2026 Event Co-Chair

Rachel Kuehl
Community Advocate
2026 Event Co-Chair

Josh Kuehl
Community Advocate
2026 Event Co-Chair