YP For STEM

Dallas millennials help kids reach for the stars at out-of-this-world gala

Many consider the Crystal Charity Ball to be the finale of Dallas' fall/winter social season, but millennials like to play by their own rules. So they packed the Statler Hotel on December 14 for the fourth annual Millennial Gala, which supports Millennials for STEM.

The nonprofit foundation is part of the Dallas Millennial Club, which was founded in 2016 by Noble Madu, Christiana Yebra, and Broadrick Umeh. Each year, Millennials for STEM awards scholarships to students for coding camps at UTD and iCode, transportation, school supplies, school courses, and STEM-related activities.

This year's theme was "Space and Beyond," with an astronaut available for out-of-this-world photo opps. Like in previous years, there was also a 360-degree video booth and several glamorous selfie stations.

Co-hosts Matt Ransdell and Obiora kept the black tie-clad crowd pumped throughout the evening, while DJ Jesse Koo played hit after hit that helped fill the dance floor. Guests could make song requests for $5 through Venmo, a giving trend that was repeated throughout the event and surely netted quite a few extra donations.

Those who felt like they needed a little more sparkle could purchase jewels from the Kendra Scott pop-up shop in the lobby, where 20 percent of all sales went to Millennials for STEM.

In the VIP area, sponsors Vista Bank, o9 Solutions, The Power Group, OVME, SILK Dental, Men's Wearhouse, Communities Foundation of Texas, and Hilton Dallas each had their own plush conversation configuration. More importantly, they also had close access to the food stations, which fortified VIP guests with wagyu sliders, mini fried chicken sandwiches, and waffle fries.

A second VIP area overlooked the ballroom, giving guests a bird's-eye view of the action (and amazing outfits). It also provided prime people-watching during the live auction, which among its many impressive items included a trip to South Africa.

The initial intent of the Dallas Millennial Club was to create an organization that would give modern-minded professionals an organic way to connect offline. Two years later, the organization has expanded its membership offerings while also hosting monthly speaker series events, masterclasses, philanthropic and service events, an annual STEM in the Park event at Klyde Warren Park, and an annual charity gala every winter. Millennial Clubs created its foundation Millennials for STEM in 2017 to benefit science, technology, engineering and mathematic learning in the North Texas area.

Josh Hunt, Gabrielle Kirven

Photo by TAVisuals

Josh Hunt, Gabrielle Kirven

downtown science galas fundraisers young-professionals charity

Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.