Overflowing with talent

Rocker Steve Miller, Jerry Jones, Eva Longoria and Emmitt Smith collide at arts party of the year

With the dynamic talents of rocker Steve Miller, Asleep at the Wheel frontman and Texas Music Scene's Ray Benson, and young cross-over violinist Charles Yang in play, the 2013 Texas Medal of Arts Awards gala in Austin morphed from sedate ceremonial evening into a high-voltage concert that had many in the Long Center for the Performing Arts jiving in their seats.

Presented by the Texas Cultural Trust, the biennial salute to Texas talent and cultural leaders honored individuals and entities from across the state, including Gene Jones and her daughter, Charlotte Jones Anderson, recognized by the Texas Cultural Trust as Individual Arts Patrons. Also honored were Big Thought and executive director Gigi Antoni for Arts Education and the Kimbell Art Foundation as Foundation Arts patron. Miller, who grew up in Dallas, received the Music Award.

The jolt of energy to the evening was provided by award recipient Miller, who performed his "Fly Like an Eagle" and "Abracadabra."

Garnering much of the red-carpet attention before the tented dinner and ceremony were Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and NFL great and Dancing With the Stars champ Emmitt Smith (accompanied by his glam wife, Pat). They, along with T. Boone Pickens, introduced award recipients Gene Jones and Anderson, both recognized for their inspiration and guidance with the Cowboys Stadium art program.

"These girls took the hand-off and ran with the ball for those who can't run with the ball," Jerry said.

In response, Gene told the gathering of more than 1,000, "We wanted more than a football stadium. Our dream was to bring sports and art together and provide more exposure for both."

Any questions that Texas' vast talent pool runs the gamut from the deliciously ridiculous to the sublime were firmly put to rest with the cross-section of artists spotlighted, including award recipients Eva Longoria (Multimedia Award) and Greater Tuna talents Joe Sears and Jaston Williams (Theater Award). The Houston-based Art Guys, wearing white jumpsuits covered in cymbals, added their own bizarre notes as they crashed against one another as the William Tell Overture blasted from a boom box. Dallas' own Chris Harrison, host of ABC's The Bachelor, served as emcee.

The jolt of energy to the evening was provided by award recipient Miller, who performed his "Fly Like an Eagle" and "Abracadabra" with 2011 Medal of Arts recipient Benson in one set. Then Miller joined Benson and Yang, who had his own stirring performance earlier, in the finale performance of Buddy Miles' blues classic "Texas."

Rounding out the contingent of award recipients were Ricardo Chavira (unable to attend) for Television and Texas Monthly as Corporate Arts Patron.

A number of the guests attended from Dallas, including Toni Brinker, Nancy Bass, Richard Fagin, Linda Gibbons and Elizabeth McElroy.

Texas Medal of Arts Award recipient in from Hollywood for the evening.

Photo by Jon Shapley

Texas Medal of Arts Award recipient in from Hollywood for the evening.

unspecified

Coffee news

Starbucks partners bestow $53K in grants to favorite Dallas nonprofits

Courtesy

Chalkboard at Starbucks celebrates Resource Center.

In a one-of-a-kind charitable program, coffee giant Starbucks has bestowed more than two dozen grants to organizations across Dallas — organizations selected by Starbucks employees themselves.

Called The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, it's unique as a charitable effort thanks to its profound level of engagement, by allowing employees to nominate nonprofit recipients.

The Starbucks Foundation is the company's charitable arm which issues grants to nonprofits — from coffee and tea-growing communities around the world to neighborhood groups.

The Neighborhood Grants program gives their "partners" (what they call their employees) the opportunity to support the local organizations they care most about. This year, more than 3,200 grants are being awarded across the U.S. and Canada. Of that number, 27 organizations in Dallas received a Neighborhood Grant, totaling $53,000.

That included a $4,000 grant to Resource Center, a Dallas provider of LGBTQIA+ services and a big Starbucks staff favorite: It was nominated by an unprecedented 40 partners, and has previously earned seven grants totaling $20,000 from The Starbucks Foundation since 2019.

Resource Center's director of corporate engagement & events Bill Scott says that the grant is part of a larger meaningful partnership.

"In the current climate, we've seen many corporations turn away from our community, but Starbucks has remained steadfast," Scott says. "And we see it in ways that go beyond the grants, whether it's volunteering at our food bank or being ready for any fundraising event where they'll set up a coffee station to distribute to our guests."

Founded in 1983, Resource Center focuses on three pillars: positive social engagement in safe spaces, supportive services to promote wellness, and skill-building opportunities to promote growth.

Resource Center accepts grant from Starbucks Foundation, from left to right: Bill Scott (RC), Daniel Sanchez (RC), Tres Brown (RC), and Howard Jackson (SBUX).Jeffrey McWhorter

"The grant will help us continue to serve and uplift our community with more programming in areas like health and wellness," Scott says. "Last year, we opened our first low-income affordable housing complex for seniors, and before it even opened, it was sold out. We can see that the services we provide fill a real need."

It's a rare scenario in the corporate world, Scott says.

"There are not many companies I have dealt with like the Starbucks Foundation where they rely on their partners to make recommendations and listen to their partners," he says.

For Starbucks partners like Marsh King, an operations consultation manager who's been with the company for nearly 28 years, Starbucks' priority on being mission-driven has been a big incentive to stay with the company.

"When you see a grant that might give Resource Center the funds to do something like buy more refrigeration for the food pantry they just opened — it's gratifying to see that direct impact and know that you're a part of it," she says.

The level of engagement is very grass-roots, says senior partner employee relations associate Howard Jackson.

"We have customers who come in and say, 'I saw you at that event last weekend," he says. "We support the community, and they are our customers, as well. Through this work, we connect a lot of dots."

charity coffee