Philanthropy Notes

Dallas steps up for new chapter of famed nonprofit that supports girls

Philanthropy Notes

Dallas steps up for new chapter of famed nonprofit that supports girls

Jenni Luke, Ann White, Richard Butler, Camille Jefferies, Margaret CoadyPhoto by Amber Knowles
DJ GirlBotPhoto by Amber Knowles
Tanya Foster, Rebecca Patton Tanya Foster, REB Tanya Foster, R Tanya Foster, REBPhoto by Amber Knowles
Lynn McBee, Richard ButlerPhoto by Amber Knowles
Anna Agisilaou, Olivia BarrPhoto by Amber Knowles
Alissa Vito, Kelsey KarcherPhoto by Amber Knowles
Karla Stack, Jeaneen KappellPhoto by Amber Knowles
Kim Martinez, Amelia DekworthPhoto by Amber Knowles
Kimberly Scott, Whitney TisdalePhoto by Amber Knowles

What: Step Up Dallas chapter launch party

Where: Coach, NorthPark Center

The 411: Fashionistas from near and far recently gathered at the classic retailer to celebrate the local chapter launch of Step Up — an organization that inspires girls to achieve their dreams. This is the first regional chapter extension in 10 years.

With Tanya Foster as their host, attendees were invited to shop the latest collections, with a percentage of the profits directly benefiting the new chapter. It was announced during the event that, thanks to direct support from Coach, Step Up Dallas completed the first module of programming focused on goal setting and encouraged more than 150 girls to enroll in their membership curriculum.

Step Up propels girls from under-resourced communities to fulfill their potential by empowering them to become confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women.

Who: Lynn McBee, Anna Agisilaou, Olivia Barr, Kelley Schadt, Margaret Coady, Cordelia Tullous, Kim Martinez, Amelia Dekworth, and Jenni Luke.

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Matcha News

Dallas TikTok star Keith Lee crafts matcha drink for flood relief

Keith Lee hoists his special matcha drink. Instagram

The devastating floods that swept across Central Texas on July 4 are bringing out all kinds of charitable endeavors — and that includes a limited-edition beverage from Dallas' favorite TikTok food influencer Keith Lee.

Lee, a social media sensation whose online food reviews have benefited hundreds of small restaurants, is partnering with Dallas-based La La Land Cafe on a special drink: Called the La La Land X Keith Lee Latte, it's a matcha drink in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Kerr County flood relief.

La La Land is the coffee chain founded in Dallas in 2019 with a mission to provide opportunities for fostering youth and individuals in need. It now has 10 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, plus three in Houston and six in Southern California.

The new Keith Lee Latte will consist of double ceremonial matcha, with secret syrup, matcha cloud, a whole fresh strawberry, flaky salt, and matcha powder. (Lee can be seen enjoying the beverage in this video.)

Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that has experienced a surge in popularity, appearing in everything from drinks like the matcha latte to desserts like matcha mousse.

Keith Lee Latte is a matcha drink.Instagram

Lee, who relocated to Dallas in 2024, has been on a matcha kick ever since he tried it in Chicago, which he says "led me down a rabbit hole," and it has become his trademark drink. In May, he visited seven cafes across DFW in search of the perfect matcha in town, and that included La La Land, where he ordered a matcha with almond milk.

He also has a charitable history, including a special visit he made to Taste Project in Fort Worth to donate $4,000 to support the nonprofit's mission to fight food insecurity.

The Keith Lee Latte will be available at all La La Land cafes beginning Friday July 11, for a limited time only. From July 11-27, 100 percent of all proceeds will support flood relief efforts in Kerr County - "a community in our home state that’s hurting," La La Land Cafe says.

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