The Black Tie committee knows how to make a grand statement in everything they do — from galas to distribution parties.
About a month after devotees and LGBT supporters gathered for the 31st Annual Black Tie Dinner, the group got together at the Dallas Contemporary to learn about the distribution of funds raised from the main event.
Before co-chairs Chris Kouvelis and Mitzi Lemons took the stage, guests mingled with Black Tie board members, noshed on mac n' cheese and popcorn and sipped on cocktails. Artists such as K8 Hardy, Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin worked the room.
“I want to personally thank everyone for their time, their enthusiasm and, most of all, unwavering commitment to moving our community forward,” Kouvelis said.
Lemons later introduced Ron Hill, chair of the Black Tie community relations committee, to announce the beneficiaries who sold the most raffle tickets: In first place, Northaven United Methodist Church sold 122 tickets; in second place, Resource Center Dallas sold 45 tickets, and in third place, AIDS Arms sold 41 tickets.
And then, the highly anticipated moment arrived. Black Tie board members announced the total amount raised for each of the participating beneficiaries. All tallied, Black tie raised $1.050 million for 19 North Texas LGBT-supportive organizations, with the largest donation of $525,000 (50 percent of the total profits) going to the Human Rights Campaign foundation.
Chad Griffin, president of the HRC, captivated an enthusiastic audience by sharing the conversation he had with a Texas congressman on the plane that morning (while en route to Dallas). An extended “Oh,” was the response Griffin got after explaining what the Black Tie dinner was all about.
After lots of laughs, Griffin reminded attendees — including Maggie Ray, Eric Johnson, Dr. Mark Parker, Aaron Burnett, Rhonda Sargent Chambers, Richard Ledbetter, Bob Munro, David Sassano, Don Tapani, Rodd Gray and Neil Patel — of the successful presidential election.
“The results were incredible for equality — and those results don’t happen in a vacuum. It takes years and years of work,” he said. “Know, that you made a victory like that happen — Dallas makes change happen across the country for equality.”
Before the night ended, the 2013 presenting sponsor was announced — Turtle Creek Solutions.
Chic philanthropists left eager for next year’s Black Tie event. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 2, 2013.
Blood Cancer United executive director Leah Swanson, Spirit of Tom Landry Award recipient Vivian Haddad, Lara Haddad and emcee Clarice Tinsley.Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass
