Changing the Odds
Dallas difference makers hobnob with famous author at momentous dinner
What: Momentous Institute’s third annual Changing the Odds Dinner
Where: Winspear Opera House
The 411: More than 300 lucky guests gathered for a private dinner and address with New York Times best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell, headliner for the 2014 Changing the Odds Conference presented by the Momentous Institute, which is powered by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. Gladwell examines adversity in his latest book, David and Goliath, and offered conference attendees a new approach for turning disadvantages into advantages, reshaping the notion of underdogs versus favorites. The two-day conference brought together more than 1,000 attendees from all facets of education, mental health and the business community to share ideas and research.
Through its nationally acclaimed school and therapy programs, Momentous Institute has been transforming children’s lives by building and repairing social emotional health. This focus has led to extraordinary results in 2013: 97 percent percent of students who graduated from Momentous School finished high school on time (DISD promotion rate is 88 percent), and 97 percent of its students enrolled in higher education (DISD enrollment rate is 59 percent).
Who: Event co-chairs Bill and Jennifer McCann and Michael and Amy Meadows, Gillian Breidenbach, Cindy and Stan Shipley, Nicole and JonahWoods, and Micki and Mayor Mike Rawlings.