Ruby Community Awards to Honor Matz, Chad Fowler, Rich Kilmer, David A. Black and More at Gala Dinner Ahead of RubyConf 2026

The Gala Dinner will honor community leadership and support initiatives that welcome and develop new Rubyists.

Published on Jan. 30, 2026

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The Ruby community will gather on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Red Rock Casino & Resort for the first annual Ruby Central Gala Dinner. This fundraising celebration will honor individuals whose work has shaped Ruby and helped the community thrive. The Gala Dinner Awards will highlight enduring contributions, including technical innovation, mentorship, community care, guidance during pivotal moments, and experimentation that broadens Ruby's capabilities and inclusivity.

Why it matters

As a fundraising event, the Gala Dinner supports the sustainability and expansion of programs that attract new members, foster professional growth, and strengthen both local and regional Ruby communities. The awards aim to recognize the individuals whose work has been instrumental in shaping Ruby's direction, capabilities, and community culture.

The details

The Gala Dinner Awards will include the Ruby Brilliant Gem Award, Ruby Heart Award, Ruby Guidepost Award, and Cutting Edge Award. The honorees include Yukihiro Matsumoto (Matz), Chad Fowler, Rich Kilmer, David A. Black, Emily Samp, Saron Yitbarek, and Nadia Odunayo. The Community Leadership Gem, a community-nominated award, will also be announced.

  • The Gala Dinner will take place on Monday, July 13, 2026.
  • RubyConf 2026 will take place the day after the Gala Dinner at the same location.

The players

Yukihiro Matsumoto (Matz)

The creator and chief designer of the Ruby programming language and steward of its reference implementation (MRI). His emphasis on 'programmer happiness' has defined Ruby's technical character and established a community culture of generosity, craftsmanship, and care.

Chad Fowler

An early Ruby community leader and Ruby Central co-founder, contributed to the organizational and cultural foundations that enabled Ruby and its major events to flourish. He continues to advocate for thoughtful, human-centered software and community development throughout the industry.

Rich Kilmer

An early Ruby adopter and co-creator of RubyGems, developed the package manager that underpins the publication and distribution of Ruby libraries. As a Ruby Central co-founder, Kilmer also helped launch and host the original RubyConf and RailsConf, shaping the ways in which Rubyists collaborate and share knowledge.

David A. Black

A longtime Ruby educator and author who has guided generations of developers in learning Ruby with clarity and depth. Since discovering Ruby in 2000, he has helped organize the early Ruby conference community and authored The Well-Grounded Rubyist, a widely used reference for Rubyists. Black is now retired.

Emily Samp

An engineering leader recognized for community care, mentorship, and sustained service that fosters belonging and confidence among Rubyists, particularly newcomers or those seeking new forms of engagement. Her work exemplifies the collaborative spirit of the Ruby community.

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What they’re saying

“These awards are a community thank-you. Ruby exists the way it does because people chose to teach, maintain, organize, mentor, and build (often for years), so others could do great work. The Gala Dinner is also how we support what comes next: strengthening the programs that create on-ramps, deepen participation, and helping more people find a real sense of belonging in Ruby.”

— Shan Cureton, Executive Director, Ruby Central (GlobeNewswire)

“This is an evening to celebrate the people who made Ruby what it is and to make sure the community keeps growing. Supporting the Gala Dinner means backing the work that brings new Rubyists in, helps them find guides and peers, and gives local communities more chances to gather, learn, and contribute. It's recognition with a purpose.”

— Ben Greenberg, Gala Dinner Co-Chair (GlobeNewswire)

What’s next

The day after the Gala, RubyConf 2026 will take place at Red Rock Casino & Resort. A Conference prospectus is available at rubyconf.org; program committee, content, and ticket information will be announced soon.

The takeaway

The Ruby community is honoring the individuals whose work has been instrumental in shaping the language, community, and ecosystem. By supporting the Gala Dinner, the community is ensuring the sustainability and growth of programs that welcome and develop new Rubyists, fostering a sense of belonging and continued innovation in the Ruby world.