Good Morning, Junior League

GMA anchor Robin Roberts invigorates Junior League of Dallas luncheon

Though technically a midday event, the Junior League of Dallas’ annual Milestones Luncheon on April 5 had strong morning vibes.

Junior League Dallas Milestones Luncheon 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass

JLD president Christina Eubanks, featured speaker Robin Roberts, JLD Milestones Luncheon co-chairs Sally Pretorius Hodge and Linda Secrest.

That's because its featured guest was Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, president of Rock’n Robin Productions, and a best-selling author.

VIPs descended on the Omni Dallas Hotel early for a private reception and photos, before all guests gathered in the Dallas Ballroom to begin the luncheon.

Emcee and WFAA anchor Cynthia Izaguirre welcomed guests and introduced Rev. Linda Roby, associate minister of pastoral care at Highland Park United Methodist Church, to give the invocation.

Milestones Luncheon co-chairs Linda Secrest and Sally Pretorius Hodge then thanked sponsors and announced the raffle, which offered a chance to win four prizes: a $5,000 Central Market gift card, a $5,000 Plainscapital Bank debit card, a wine tasting for 10 people at 55 Seventy, and a $5,000 Bachendorf's gift card.

Junior League president Christina Eubanks and sustainer president Candace Winslow then took the stage to present the Sustainer of the Year award to Kathleen Gibson. A video featuring touching tributes from Kathleen’s husband, daughters, colleagues, friends and family played before Kathleen graciously accepted the award and went on to detail the importance of the Junior League of Dallas in the community and in her life.

Gibson has been a vital member of the League for many years and has served in numerous leadership roles, and she has used her JLD training both in her nonprofit board involvement and in her career.

She is credited for transforming Southwestern Medical Foundation by forming committees for the board, governance, and leading a successful $1 billion capital campaign. Her fundraising placements within JLD prepared her well for this role. In addition, Gibson has chaired multiple nonprofit boards and served on numerous committees, again using the skills she learned through JLD training.

Izaguirre then led a personal chat with Roberts about challenges in her personal life and career, her connection to Junior League’s theme “BOLD: Building Our Legacy in Dallas,” advice on helping women get past their insecurities, guidance for leaders, the importance of patience and persistence, and other themes prominent throughout Robin’s three books.

The always popular lightning round included the fun question: "Who were you most nervous to interview, the Pope or Caitlin Clark?“ (The college star and new WNBA member, of course).

Spotted seated 'round the tables were Lynn McBee, Paige McDaniel, Christie Carter, Andrea Cheek, Diana Hamilton, Natalie Rogers, Jennifer Grinkle, Kim Cox, Breanna Turnley, Toni Patterson, Jan Baldwin, Carrie Hill, Catalina Maria Gonzalez Franco, Jess Bass Bolander, Karen Shuford, Patti Flowers, Anne Reeder Corley, Glenda Tomb, Lauren Combest, and JLD president-elect Tandra Allen.

Each year, the Milestones Luncheon raises funds for the Junior League of Dallas Community Service Fund, which serves as a platform to raise awareness for the programs and issues supported by the JLD and to recognize the impact and achievements of its volunteers.

Founded in 1922, JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world, as well as the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. Active members range in age from 22 to 49 with approximately 85 percent of women employed outside of the home. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 4,000 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training.

Proceeds from the Milestones Luncheon allow the JLD to grant approximately $1 million annually to the Dallas community.

The 2025 Milestones Luncheon will be held April 11, 2025.

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

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