It's Giving Glam

Black Tie Dinner 2024's cyber theme equals real-world impact in Dallas

A black tunnel illuminated with rainbow LED light rods transported more than 2,000 guests at this year's Black Tie Dinner into "Simulation," a safe and inclusive space where they could celebrate being themselves.

The cyber-tinged theme manifested itself in another welcome way at the 43rd annual fundraising gala, held on November 16 at the Sheraton Dallas. For the first time, closed captioning was added to all programming, along with ASL interpretation.

But wait, there were even more firsts! Following an introduction by the night's virtual host, "Prism," the crowd was welcomed with a performance by indie pop duo Fly By Midnight.

Black Tie Dinner 2024 Fly By Midnight.Photo by John Strange, Selig Polyscope Company

Then, this year's co-chairs Dustin Vyers and Liliana Villarreal announced that in 2025, Villarreal will be joined by Deirdre Coleman, making history as the first time Black Tie Dinner will be chaired by two women.

The dinner, which is the the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ fundraiser, also happened to coincide with the close of Transgender Awareness Week. To help honor the importance of transgender advocacy, three of the night's awards were presented to transgender recipients.

Dylan Mulvaney, the actress and activist who has become a bold voice for the trans and queer community, was presented with the Black Tie Dinner Equality Award.

“Every single person should love to be who you are,” said Mulvaney in her acceptance speech. “We're showing the world that love is stronger than fear, that joy is more powerful than hate, and that being yourself and liking yourself is the most revolutionary fight of all.”

Black Tie Dinner 2024 Carter Brown.Photo by Bryan Chatlien, Chatlien Photo

Carter Brown, co-founder and executive director of the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, accepted the 2024 Kuchling Humanitarian Award for his lifelong commitment to advancing Black transgender rights. Brown is the first transgender recipient of this award — add that to the "firsts" tally!

Trans activist and Houston native Landon Richie was the recipient of the Trailblazer Award.

Black Tie Dinner 2024 Landon Richie.Photo by Bryan Chatlien, Chatlien Photo

Following a savory surf-and-turf dinner and a paddle raise for the 20 local beneficiaries supported by Black Tie Dinner, Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson and HRC press secretary Brandon Wolf each spoke passionately about the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and the need to continue fighting for progress in the face of mounting political opposition.

“They cannot break a community that has turned pain into power for generations,” Robinson said. “We will make progress by moving hearts and changing minds—one conversation, one dinner table, one workplace, one community at a time.”

Black Tie Dinner 2024 Liliana Villarreal, Kelley Robinson, Brandon Wolf, Dustin Vyers.Photo by Bryan Chatlien, Chatlien Photo

The HRC Foundation is a national beneficiary of Black Tie Dinner.

Legendary sports commentator Dale Hansen presented his Ally for Equality Award to Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. Marshall regularly uses her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, notably introducing a Pride celebration for Mavs fans.

Black Tie Dinner 2024 Cynt MarshallPhoto by John Strange, Selig Polyscope Company

Photo by Bryan Chatlien, Chatlien Photo

Liliana Villarreal, Dylan Mulvaney, Dustin Vyers

A spirited live auction led by Jason Lamoreaux, plus a raffle for a credit of $45,000 toward the purchase of a vehicle from Park Place Motorcars Dallas, transitioned into the AfterBlack Party, which had guests up and dancing late into the night.

To date, Black Tie Dinner has raised more than $30 million to LGBTQ+ supportive organizations. Three of this year’s beneficiaries provide critical support to the transgender community.

Black Tie Dinner 2024 Jason Lamoreaux and Black Tie Dinner beneficiaries.Photo by John Strange, Selig Polyscope Company

All 2024 local beneficiaries include:

ASD (former AIDS Services of Dallas)
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lonestar
Cathedral of Hope
Celebration Community Church
Dallas Hope Charities
Equality Texas Foundation
Finn's Place
Galileo Church - North Texas TRANSportation Network
Grant Halliburton Foundation
Help Center for LGBT Health and Wellness
Legacy Cares
Northaven Church
Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas
Pride Frisco
Resource Center Dallas
Synergy Wesley Foundation
Transgender Education Network of Texas
Transition Resource Action Center
Turtle Creek Chorale
Uptown Players

Proceeds from the dinner will be announced on December 19 at The Empire Room in Dallas. The 44^th annual Black Tie Dinner will take place on November 8, 2025.

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

executives parks klyde warren park