Staunch supporters of the Black Tie Dinner — voted by CultureMap readers as the most glamorous charitable event of 2012 — recently gathered at Craighead Green Gallery to honor the sponsors for the 32nd annual gala, set for November 2 at Sheraton Dallas.
Earlier this month, Black Tie Dinner announced its 2013 theme, “One Voice,” depicted in an inspiring video honoring figures ranging from national gay-rights activists Frank Kameny and Harvey Milk to locals such as Lupe Valdez. During the video replay, sponsor chair Debra Davis got teary.
In their welcome speech, co-chairs Mitzi Lemons and Ken Morris thanked generous sponsors such as Turtle Creek Solutions, Park Place Motorcars and BBVA Compass. Then they asked guests to observe a moment of silence for the recent tragedies in Boston and West, Texas.
Speaking of Park Place, chatter quickly turned to the big raffle giveaway: a 2014 Mercedes CLA — donated 100 percent by the dealership. Raffle tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online.
Caught cocktailing and eyeballing contemporary artworks: Raymond Shelton, Tom Phipps, Rick Aishman, Greg Hagopian, Doug Frankel, Andrew McPhee, Carol Meyer, Jerry Coalson, Sarah Hardy, Leslie Garner, gallery co-owners Kenneth Craighead and Steven Green, and Black Tie Dinner development director Margaret Duncan.
The Dallas Black Tie Dinner is the largest fundraiser its kind in the United States. Last year’s gala raised more than $1 million for LGBT supportive organizations in North Texas and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Cece Cox
