Ann M. Williams founded Dallas Black Dance Academy in 1974 and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre in 1976. She is a founding member of the Dance Council of North Texas, the Advisory Board of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and The International Association of Blacks in Dance. Additionally, Ms. Williams founded four performance ensembles—DBDT: Encore (DBDT’s second professional company) and three training ensembles of the Dallas Black Dance Academy.

She received her early dance training under Barbara Hollis (a member of the Katherine Dunham Dance Company), Edith James, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman. She received additional training under Alvin Ailey and Arthur Mitchell. Ms. Williams is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University and the first African American to earn a Master of Arts degree in Dance and Related Arts from Texas Woman’s University. She was honored as a “distinguished alumna” by both universities and received an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Northwood University, and in May 2008 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Dance from TWU. She served six years on the Texas Woman’s University Board of 3 Regents. She is a 2002 inductee into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame; and in April 2005, she was honored at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. as a part of the Masters of African American Choreography series.

For 40 years, Ms. Williams directed Dallas Black Dance Theatre from a community-based organization and a semi-professional organization to a fully professional dance company that has now become the fourth largest black dance company in the nation. Dallas Black Dance Theatre's administrative and rehearsal facility is located in the historic former Moorland YMCA building in the Dallas Arts District and DBDT is a resident company in the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre located in the AT&T Performing Arts Center. DBDT tours annually throughout the state, nationally and internationally. During its history, the company has performed in 31 states, 16 countries and on 5 continents. Most notable performances include two Cultural Olympiad appearances and performances for Queen Elizabeth II and President Nelson Mandela. DBDT has been recognized by the NEA as an American Masterpiece Touring Artist and has received the Texas Medal of the Arts Award for Arts Education.

The Academy trains over 500 students weekly in classes of ballet, modern, jazz, tap, African and hip hop and has produced nine Presidential Scholars in dance including the first Presidential Scholar in dance in the nation in 1980.

Ms. Williams is an active dance consultant and has served as a panelist for many city, state, and national agencies. Presently, she serves on the boards of The International Association of Blacks in Dance, the Dallas Opera and serves as a member the advisory board of the Martin Luther King Center. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, The Links, Incorporated, and a lifetime member of the NAACP.

She has received many rewards and honors for her support and commitment to the arts and service organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Incorporated, the Dallas Dance Council, NAACP, the Dallas Historical Society, TACA, the Lifetime Arts Leadership Award given by the Dallas Business Committee for the Arts, and the National Medal of Arts Award presented by President Joe Biden. For over 20 years, she has been a proud member of the HistoryMakers whose archives are housed permanently in the library of Congress.

For 44 years, she was married to the late Nathaniel Williams, a retired administrator of Dallas Independent School District. They are the parents of Angelia Williams, a graduate of Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry and the University of Dallas School of Business Management.

In May of 2014, Ms. Williams officially retired as Artistic Director of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. She remains actively involved as an emeritus member of DBDT’s Board of Directors. Her relaxing activities included water aerobics and playing bridge with her three bridge clubs.

Christina J. Hahn is a multidisciplinary artist, independent curator, and founder of the Dallas Asian American Art Collective (DAAART), based in Dallas, Texas. Her work challenges the notion of who creates and embodies legends, examining mythmaking as a vehicle of power. Hahn builds an imaginary universe blending Korean mythology with Texas folklore through a multidisciplinary approach, ranging from fiber arts, painting, printmaking, and film.

She was a Cohort IV artist-in-residence at the Cedars Union Art Incubator and a 2024 awardee of the Anne & Arche Giles Kimbrough Grant by the Dallas Museum of Art. Recognized as a significant force in the Dallas art scene, Hahn was named one of Patron Magazine’s 2025 Art Influencers. Her work has been shown at Oak Cliff Film Festival, Arts Fort Worth, 400h Gallery, Adolphus Tower Gallery, Preservation Dallas, the Oak Cliff Assembly, and AURORA Video Art Night Festival.

Through DAAART, Hahn founded two biannual festivals with the mission of building platforms to showcase Asian American artists across multidisciplinary practices in North Texas: Ginger Roots: Asian American Arts Festival (2025) and the Dallas Asian American Film Festival (2026). The inaugural Dallas Asian American Film Festival featured a majority Texas-produced lineup of short films at the Dallas Museum of Art.

Through her community organizing and art practice, Hahn aims to build a better Texas for all, with Asian Texans contributing to the vibrant tapestry of Texas arts. Hahn earned her BA in Political Science & History with honors at Rice University, and her MA in Design & Innovation at Southern Methodist University.

Imani Black is an award-winning Photographer, Creative Director, and Art-trepreneur with a background in advertising and project management. Since graduating from the University of North Texas and arriving in Dallas in 2017, she has developed a creative practice rooted in visual storytelling and become a leader in the city’s arts and culture community.

Through Imani Black Studios, Black brings together her commercial work and fine art practice under one multidisciplinary creative business. Her creative services span photography, videography, brand strategy, and digital marketing, helping businesses and organizations bring their ideas to life.

Some of Black’s professional experience includes client work with organizations such as SXSW, the State Fair of Texas, Forest Forward, and Broadway Dallas. She has also collaborated with local and international organizations, including FGIII Fine Art Productions, VSCO, Cedars Union, Black Women Photographers, and many more, contributing her range of skills to artistic and cultural initiatives.

Alongside her client work, Black explores her artistic practice through photography and painting while curating fine art exhibitions and creative experiences.

In May 2026, she opened the studio’s physical location in Deep Ellum with support from the Deep Ellum Foundation. The studio serves as an extension of her business and artistic practice, where she develops her work, presents exhibitions, and produces creative programming.

Black continues to grow her business while contributing to the visibility of Dallas’ arts and culture community. Her work reflects a commitment to visual storytelling, creative collaboration, and expanding the ways art and business intersect.

Kathy Tran is a photographer, creative director, photojournalist, and most importantly, an artist whose medium has always been attention. She has spent her entire adult life pointing it at Dallas, first documenting the city’s evolution and, over time, helping make it happen.

Adopted at 14 by her elementary school counselor, Kathy learned early that a life can be rebuilt by the people who decide to show up. A self-taught, first-generation Vietnamese American, she built Kathy Tran Creatives from the ground up, growing it over the past 15 years into a Dallas media company with a team just shy of a dozen. As a college freshman, when she heard the Dallas Observer’s food photographer had left, she showed up at the editor’s office and asked for the job. This year, she produced her fifth Best of Dallas issue for the same paper.

For more than a decade, Dallas has seen itself through her lens. Her editorial work appears in D Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and Advocate Magazine, while her studio works across branding campaigns, commercial, lifestyle, hospitality, and event coverage for the businesses that shape the city. She has photographed many of the people, artists, and communities that make Dallas what it is, including Visit Dallas’s own ’Cause She Can series, celebrating women who embody the city’s Can-Do Spirit. This year, Kathy and her team filmed Cure for Paranoia’s winning submission for NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, putting a Dallas band on a national stage and bringing the win home.

Now, Kathy has returned to her artistic roots with Monthly Receipts, the first volume of her lifelong project, Proof of Life. She believes a month is a beautiful unit of change in a person’s life, so she studies her own one month at a time. Each month begins with a thesis and daily experiments, published as Monthly Receipts, and whatever she discovers becomes what she studies next. Last month, she explored desire through color, naming a desire each day and pulling a matching Pantone postcard, chosen not by color theory but by memory, intuition, and instinct. The medium changes every month. The subject is always attention. Next, she will turn that attention toward Vietnam for her first solo photography exhibition at Goldmark Cultural Center in May 2027.

All of this runs out of Kessler Studios in Oak Cliff, a compound built in 1986 by a photographer and an artist to live and make art, now home again to its original purpose. Kathy shares the space and home with her husband Daniel, their five-pound Chihuahua Koko, their cat Milo, and fellow creatives. Over four years of hosting, what began as her home and working studio has grown into a gathering place for different corners of the city, connecting communities that might not otherwise find themselves in the same room. Each year, it serves as home base for Music Safari, a neighborhood music festival showcasing local artists. Most recently, Kathy has opened its doors for gatherings including KERA and the Dallas Asian American Film Festival after party.

Kathy started out paying attention to Dallas. Somewhere along the way, she became one of the people Dallas pays attention to. If something should exist in this city, she goes and makes it.

Mahiri Takai is a Dallas-based creative director, branding master, and global visionary whose remarkable journey embodies the very essence of a "can-do spirit." From overcoming 16 months of homelessness in New York City to standing on the national stage as a breakout star on NBC’s On Brand with Jimmy Fallon, Mahiri has built an international footprint rooted in relentless resilience.

As the founder of Men's Fashion Week Dallas, he has spent a decade bridging ideals with international design talent.

Through his agency, Mahiri Global, he architects visual campaigns that transcend borders—collaborating with international brands and global ambassadors from East Africa to Europe. A former pastor turned media powerhouse and host, producer, and creator of the CW's Cook Dad Cook, Mahiri uses his borderless platform to prove that authentic vision can influence the global stage from right here in North Texas.

Chad Houser is an award-winning chef and the Founder CEO of Café Momentum, a nationally recognized nonprofit restaurant and paid internship program for justice-involved youth. What began in Dallas in 2015 has grown into a national movement with locations in Dallas, Pittsburgh and Atlanta—expanding soon to Denver. Café Momentum is also developing a flagship restaurant and a National Training Facility in Dallas, aiming to reach 10 cities by 2035.

Named the James Beard Foundation’s 2025 Humanitarian of the Year, a CNN Hero, and one of Dallas’s Best 500 Business Leaders, Chad is a national voice for youth justice and community-led solutions to systemic change.

He believes All Youth Deserve to Dream and that food can be a catalyst for opportunity, connection and transformation. To date, the program has supported more than 1,300 youth nationwide.

Kevin 'Chef Kev' Ashade is a French-trained culinary professional from the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America in New York. Born in Dallas, TX, Chef Kev spent his early childhood in the U.K. and Nigeria before returning to the U.S. After high school he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts management from CIA. Chef Kev then returned to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and worked in a number of restaurants including Craft at the W Hotel, Nana at the Hilton Anatole, and The Oceanaire Seafood Room among others.

After recognizing a gap in the DFW private food service market, Chef Kev founded GourmEATS Catering Services in 2013. He has since served as a private/family chef for a number of Dallas-based executives and professional athletes in the National Baseball League, National Football League, and the National Basketball League. In April of 2016, Chef Kev appeared on the Food Network show “Beat Bobby Flay” where he beat out celebrity chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay with a winning coq au vin recipe.

In January 2020, Chef Kev opened his first restaurant, Pangea Restaurant & Bar, laying the foundation for his culinary vision. Now reborn as Pangea Dallas as of February 2026, the restaurant reopens as an elevated, chef-driven destination where his signature recipes and globally inspired dishes come together—offering Dallasites and visitors alike an unforgettable dining experience rooted in bold flavors, culture, and creativity.

Known across Dallas as "The MeatPapi," Luis Abraham Rivera Rodriguez has built his career on flavor, hard work, and community. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela and raised in Chicago and Cicero, he moved to Dallas to pursue his culinary dreams. Texas welcomed this Chicago native with open arms, giving him the opportunity to make Dallas his home. A chef by trade, Luis earned national recognition as a contestant on Netflix's BBQ Showdown Season 3, and his restaurant MeatPapi's was named Best New Restaurant by D Magazine in 2024. He's been featured on NBC 5, recognized by the Dallas Observer, and recently partnered with Phillips BBQ as a featured pitmaster at the Lonestar Smokeout Festival.

But for Luis, success has always meant more than what's on the plate. He previously served with the Illinois Migrant Council, supporting the farmworker families who feed America, and as a proud member of LULAC, he continues to advocate for Latino communities nationwide.

At the heart of it all is his mission: to bring equity to food deserts, and to show that great food doesn't require high-end equipment or culinary school, just heart. As an immigrant who arrived young and spent years never quite feeling at home anywhere, Luis created a flavor entirely his own; One that honors his Venezuelan heritage, pays homage to Chicago where he was raised, and to Texas where he found home.

Today, Luis works as a consultant and food rep, curating chef experiences and pop-ups across Dallas while continuing to support local restaurants with menu development insights and connecting struggling spots with the access and resources they need to thrive.

For Luis, the "Can Do" spirit is simple, show up, work hard, and always lift others as you climb.

Tanner Agar is a Michelin-recognized chef, restaurateur, and host known for turning thoughtful food into engaging, accessible experiences. As CEO and Creative Director of Walkabout Hospitality Group, he is behind concepts like Rye, Apothecary, and Flamant —restaurants celebrated for their creativity, precision, and hospitality.

Tanner’s path into the industry didn’t start in fine dining, but delivering pizza on a Segway—an early introduction to both the chaos and charm of the restaurant world. He went on to study at TCU and build nearly 20 years of experience across six countries, developing a global perspective that informs both his cooking and storytelling.

In addition to running award-winning restaurants, Tanner hosts a weekly radio show, Flavorphiles, and is an on-camera personality, regularly appearing on television for cooking segments and food commentary. He brings a natural, confident presence to the screen, combining deep industry knowledge with an ability to connect with a broad audience.

Outside of the kitchen, Tanner is passionate about motorcycles, photography, books, and travel—interests that continue to shape his perspective on food, culture, and creativity.

Awards & Recognition:

• Michelin Guide Texas: Most Exceptional Cocktails in Texas, Recommended Restaurant
• James Beard: Outstanding Bar semi-finalist
• Food Network: Triple D Feature
• Tales of the Cocktail: Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar honoree, Best US Restaurant Bar honoree
• Dallas Business Journal: C-Suite Leader of the Year
• Entrepreneur Magazine: Cover
• D Magazine: Top 10 restaurant, “Some of most fun you can have in Dallas”

Byron Sanders is the founder and CEO of Arete Health, a healthcare innovation company rethinking insurance so everyday families can access the preventive, high-touch care usually reserved for the wealthy, using next-generation biotech and AI to improve outcomes at a lower cost to employers.

He also serves as the Dallas ISD Trustee for District 5.

Before founding Arete, Byron was President and CEO of Big Thought, where he built programs and partnerships that helped Dallas youth develop the skills to imagine and create their best lives.

Raised in southern Dallas, he has spent his career making sure opportunity in this city doesn't depend on luck or zip code.

Byron is a Presidential Leadership Scholar and serves on the University of Tulsa Board of Trustees and the Dallas College Foundation board. He and his wife are proud parents of two.

Johannes Starks serves as National Executive Director of BEST Robotics Inc., a nationally recognized nonprofit advancing STEM education, workforce development, and student innovation across 19 states. She provides strategic leadership, cultivates industry partnerships, and expands access to transformative, hands-on learning experiences that prepare the next generation of innovators and leaders.

A former Texas-designated T-STEM Principal, Johannes brings extensive experience in educational transformation, organizational leadership, and college, career, and military readiness. As a College and Career Readiness School Models (CCRSM) Leadership Coach, she supports educational leaders in strengthening systems, expanding opportunities, and improving student outcomes. She also serves as a NASA HUNCH Statewide Mentor, connecting students with authentic engineering challenges.

Passionate about service, collaboration, and equitable access to opportunity, Johannes is committed to strengthening Texas communities, developing future leaders, and building sustainable partnerships that connect education, industry, and economic advancement.

Kristen Wells-Collins is a STEM educator, cosmetic chemistry advocate, and the visionary founder behind Black to the Lab—a nationally recognized initiative that empowers young girls of color to explore the intersections of science, beauty, and identity. With a mission to make STEM more accessible, culturally relevant, and fun, Kristen leads efforts to design engaging educational tools, science kits, and curricula that spark curiosity and inspire future innovators.
Rooted in her academic foundation—a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a Biomedical concentration and a Master’s in Community Development from Prairie View A&M University—Kristen combines deep scientific knowledge with a passion for equity and representation in education. Her expertise lies in cosmetic chemistry, a field she uses as an entry point to help girls see themselves in STEM careers that are creative, impactful, and empowering.

Since launching Black to the Lab, Kristen has reached over 6,000 students across the U.S. through hands-on experiences, activity kits, and STEM-based learning initiatives. Her work has been featured in Ebony Magazine, Blavity, D Magazine, and the Amazon Gift Guide. She has partnered with schools, nonprofits, and national brands to bring science education into classrooms and community spaces in ways that feel joyful, affirming, and aspirational.

Kristen is a respected thought leader and a sought-after speaker, known for her ability to connect science education with storytelling, culture, and empowerment. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she serves on the National Social Action Commission and formerly held the role of Southwest Regional Representative. She has secured over six figures in pitch and grant funding through programs such as the Delta Red Tank, Dallas Mavericks Mavs Business Assist, and the Caress Dream Fund —fueling her mission to increase STEM access and opportunity.
Her interdisciplinary expertise uniquely positions her to lead at the intersection of science, education, entrepreneurship, and social impact. In addition to her role at Black to the Lab, Kristen is the Co-Founder of Greenwood Co., a collaborative entrepreneurial hub inspired by the legacy of Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street. Through both ventures, she champions innovation, creativity, and generational empowerment.

She is a respected thought leader and a sought-after speaker who brings energy, clarity, and cultural depth to every stage she steps on.

Melissa Metoyer believes a person’s ZIP code should never determine how long they live, what opportunities they can access, or what they can become. At the heart of her work is a simple but deeply held belief: every person deserves the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life and shape a future beyond the circumstances they were born into.

As Senior Director of Health Equity & Community Impact at Bonton Farms, Melissa is helping reshape what community investment can look like in South Dallas. In a community facing more than two decades life-expectancy gap, she asked a different question: What if we brought the infrastructure of opportunity here?

Rather than expecting residents to leave their neighborhood to find the resources they need, Melissa has helped bring those resources closer to home. She led the strategy and development of Bonton Farms’ 11,000-square-foot Wellness Center, connecting primary care, dental care, behavioral health support, nutrition education, community wellness, and research partnerships. She also leads the distinct Financial Resource Center, expanding access to banking, financial coaching, savings opportunities, credit support, and pathways to economic mobility. Through her leadership, she has also helped expand the physical infrastructure of opportunity through the Bexar Street Resource Center, which houses the People’s Program workforce development and apprenticeship initiative alongside counseling, entrepreneurship, small-business activity, and community gathering spaces.

What distinguishes Melissa’s leadership is her ability to see the people behind the statistics and understand how the challenges affecting their lives are connected. Health inequities, limited access to fresh food, predatory lending, and barriers to economic opportunity do not exist in isolation. They shape families’ daily lives, their choices, and sometimes even what they believe is possible for their futures.

Melissa brings people, institutions, and resources together to change those conditions, while keeping community voices at the center. The impact is tangible. A graduate of Bonton Farms’ workforce program now has the opportunity to operate his own bike shop within the same community ecosystem. For Melissa, that is what lasting change looks like: people moving beyond accessing resources to creating opportunities of their own.

Her commitment extends beyond programs and physical spaces. Through advocacy and awareness surrounding the Bonton Farms Act, Melissa helps bring attention to preventable barriers and the systems that shape people’s opportunities. Across more than 45 cross-sector partnerships, she works to connect community needs with the people and institutions positioned to help create meaningful change.

The woman who began her career in behavioral health at Children’s Health, caring about the well-being of children and families, is still at the heart of Melissa’s leadership. She has simply expanded the radius of her impact. With more than 20 years of experience spanning behavioral health, philanthropy, and community development, she brings compassion and bold, practical vision together to help communities shape their own futures.

Melissa’s audacity is not performative. She does not have to be the loudest person in the room. She looks at what a community has historically been told it cannot have and asks, Why can’t it be here? Then she works alongside others to make it possible.

She is not simply helping a community access services. She is helping change what is possible within it.

Brandon Carr is a former Dallas Cowboys defensive back, 13-year NFL veteran, and passionate advocate for youth development. Known for his remarkable durability and leadership on the field, Carr has carried that same dedication into his work as Head Football Coach and Senior Athletic Director at Uplift Education.

Today, Carr is helping bring a new era of football to South Dallas. Under his leadership, Uplift Education launched its first-ever tackle football program at Uplift Hampton Preparatory and expanded opportunities to Uplift Wisdom Preparatory, creating new traditions and experiences for students and their communities.

For Carr, football is about more than winning games. Inspired by his mother, a longtime educator, he believes athletics and academics go hand in hand. His mission is to develop student-athletes who demonstrate leadership, discipline, and character while pursuing college and ambitious goals beyond the field.

A four-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, Carr continues to use his platform to inspire and invest in the next generation of Dallas leaders.

Cheryl Rosen Halpern is the Dallas Coordinator of Buddy Up for Life, a nonprofit that creates opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to experience the joys, challenges, and camaraderie of sports.

In late 2018, Cheryl watched a national news feature about Buddy Up Tennis and wanted to get involved. When she discovered there was not a Dallas chapter, she saw an opportunity to make her community more inclusive through the sport she loves. As a volunteer, she launched the chapter in 2019—and helped spark a movement. Today, Buddy Up Tennis Dallas is the largest chapter in the country, bringing together more than 200 Athletes and 1,000 Buddy volunteers.

Cheryl leads a year-round program of weekly clinics in Buddy Up Tennis, Buddy Up Pickleball, and Buddy Up Fitness. The programs help individuals with Down syndrome build athletic skills, confidence, friendships, and independence.

The chapter’s success is remarkable. Buddy Up Tennis Dallas was voted Best Adaptive Tennis Program in Texas in 2026 and in each of the three other years the U.S. Tennis Association’s People’s Choice Awards included the category. Cheryl has also received the USTA 35x35 President’s Impact Award for her grassroots leadership in growing the game, as well as the Marketing Research Education Foundation’s Everyday Hero Award.

But statistics and awards tell only part of the story. Buddy Up programs benefit not only the Athletes, but also the hundreds of volunteers who coach, encourage, and play alongside them. Buddies may arrive ready to give their time, but often leave with unexpected friendships, fresh perspective, and a deeper appreciation for the abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome.

A lifelong tennis player, Cheryl competed in high school, won a dozen intramural tennis championships at the University of Texas, and later captured multiple USTA league titles, including a mixed doubles national championship.

Her commitment to community extends well beyond the court. Cheryl served for 20 years on the Jewish Family Service Board of Directors, including a term as president, and has volunteered extensively with Make-A-Wish, Reading Partners, Habitat for Humanity, and the PTA. She currently serves as a Vice President of the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Executive Advisory Council.

A native Texan, Cheryl has lived in Dallas for more than 40 years. She earned her undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of Texas, served as Vice President of Global Product Marketing at Mary Kay, Inc., and now runs a marketing research consulting practice.

Buddy Up may be Cheryl’s most personal contribution to Dallas: she has paired her love of sports with her belief that everyone deserves a spot on the team and a community cheering them on. She saw a need, took the initiative, brought people together, and built something extraordinary. That’s the Can-Do Spirit of Dallas!

Originally from Louisiana, D’Ebony is a community leader, women’s sports advocate, and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of GamechangHERS, a Dallas–Fort Worth nonprofit dedicated to using sports to build community, support mental wellness, expand access to opportunities, and develop future leaders.

Through GamechangHERS, D’Ebony has created spaces that bring people together through women’s sports while championing greater visibility, engagement, and opportunities for women and girls. From watch parties and fan experiences to community partnerships and service initiatives, her work continues to strengthen the connection between sports and the Dallas community. Just one year in, GamechangHERS received the Best of Dallas "Best Watch Party for Women's Sports" Award for 2025.

Her passion for creating lasting impact also led to the development of ROYALS (Raising Our Youth As Leaders with Sports), a free youth development program empowering girls through mentorship, leadership development, mental wellness, and access to meaningful sports and educational experiences.

A member of the Dallas Wings Champion of Change, D’Ebony also serves on the Advisory Board for Victory & Velvet, the future home for women's sports fans and community in Dallas. Through these roles, she continues to advocate for greater representation, connection, and investment in women’s sports.

D’Ebony believes sports are more than entertainment. They are a pathway to belonging, opportunity, and lasting community impact. Guided by the belief that meaningful change starts with community, she continues to help shape the future of Dallas sports culture, one connection, one opportunity, and one GAMECHANGHER at a time.

Dr. Amanda Álvarez is a neuroscientist, nonprofit founder, and community leader dedicated to empowering underserved youth through the intersection of sports, science, and education. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Amanda earned her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from New York University and her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas. She has built a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry while pursuing her passion for creating meaningful opportunities for young people.

In 2022, Amanda founded LaBori Boxing, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that combines free youth boxing programs with exposure to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Rooted in her belief that confidence, discipline, and opportunity can transform lives, LaBori provides a welcoming environment where young people develop physical and emotional resilience while discovering possibilities beyond the boxing ring.

Under Amanda's leadership, LaBori has grown from a small neighborhood initiative into a thriving community organization serving more than 400 young people in East Dallas. Through partnerships with local schools, universities, healthcare institutions, and corporate organizations, LaBori has expanded its reach while remaining committed to removing financial barriers to youth development.

Amanda's innovative approach to community leadership has earned her recognition as D CEO's 2025 Emerging Leader of the Year and inclusion in the Dallas 500, recognizing influential leaders shaping the region. Her work has also been featured in numerous local and national media outlets.

At the heart of Amanda's mission is a simple belief: every child deserves the opportunity to discover their strength, recognize their potential, and envision a future without limitations. Through LaBori Boxing, she continues to demonstrate how the unlikely combination of boxing and STEM can become a powerful force for community transformation.

Theo Murdaugh is a Columbus, Ohio native and graduate of Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A runner for more than 15 years, Theo’s passion for running and its ability to connect people inspired him to found Run It Up Dallas and the Run It Up Foundation in 2024, where he serves as CEO and Executive Director.

A 15-year corporate automotive professional, Theo combines his business leadership experience with a commitment to serving underserved communities. His mission focuses on three key pillars—cardiovascular health, mental health, and financial wellness—while using running, education, and community engagement to bring people together and create healthier, more connected communities throughout Dallas.

For four decades, Cece Cox has worked to make sure every thread in Dallas’ rich tapestry of cultures is seen, protected, and cared for. As CEO of Resource Center, which runs one of the largest LGBTQIA+ service organizations in the United States, she leads nearly 100 employees and 1,200 volunteers. Together they serve more than 62,000 people a year through health care, housing, family and community support, education, and advocacy.

Cox’s can-do spirit shows most clearly in what she has built. Under her leadership, Resource Center opened Oak Lawn Place in 2024, an 84-unit affirming affordable housing community for adults 55 and older. Across the street on Inwood Road, she opened Resource Center Health. It is a comprehensive, affirming healthcare center that brings primary healthcare, mental health counseling, sexual health and HIV services, a pharmacy, a food pantry, and a hot meals program together under one roof.

Her advocacy has helped change the city itself. Cox was instrumental in passing the City of Dallas’ sexual orientation nondiscrimination policy, along with Dallas ISD’s first anti-harassment policy and its later anti-bullying policy. Since 2010, Resource Center’s advocacy has won new or expanded nondiscrimination protections for more than 50,000 public employees and a quarter-million students in the Dallas area.

Cox joined Resource Center in 2007 and became CEO in 2010. Before that, she practiced commercial law and gave pro bono legal help to people living with HIV. She is deeply involved in Dallas civic life as an alumna of the Dallas Mavericks Advisory Council and Texas Women’s Foundation, and a member of Dallas Assembly, Dallas Summit, and the board of Visiting Nurse Association of Texas. Her honors include the Dallas Historical Society’s Jubilee History Maker Award, the Dallas Business Journal Women in Business Award, Dallas Voice LGBTQ Texan of the Year, and repeated selection as a D CEO top 500 business leader.

She holds a journalism degree from Northwestern University and is an outstanding alumna of SMU’s Dedman School of Law. She is also a former professional photographer who co-authored One Million Strong. Cox has one son and lives in Dallas with her wife, Shelly Skeen.

Dr. Marguritte S. Johnson, AKA, The MAXimizer received the NAACP ‘WIN’ Award on March 22, 2025 and became a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient on Dec 10, 2023 for her relentless commitment of sharing as a servant-leader and positively impacting our communities via her time, talent, and treasures for 25+ years!

Johnson received an Honorary Doctorate in Christian Counseling in 2020 from Grace Intl’ Bible University, in 2021, a Certification in Nonprofit Management from Collin College and Certifications in Conflict Resolution+Advanced Family Mediation from El Centro College, in 2022-2024 Grant-writing Certifications from University of North Texas-Dallas, and in 2022, her Ordination and Licensing in Chaplaincy. She has successfully participated in the following Cohorts: Prosperity Bank Masterclass Series, Path 2 Yes (I & II) Presented by Vista Bank & SDFP Innovation Center, Women Entrepreneurs Leadership Forum, Black Women in Nonprofit Leadership Connection, Real Estate 101 for Nonprofits presented by TREC Community Investors, UNT Dallas Urban SERCH Institute Program, and KBL Impact Partners.

Johnson is CEO of MSJ-PRO Services specializing in LLC & 501(c)(3) formations, 990 filings, and funding strategies for startup non-profit entities, and also Founder + Executive Director of two 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, ProActivism Inc. and Stand 4 Sisterhood - which has its own day - October 27 - officially proclaimed as Stand 4 Sisterhood Day and the 4th week of July has been officially declared Diamonds in the Rough Summer Camp Week, both in the City of Farmers Branch. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors and Fundraising Chair for Seasons Exchange, a 501c3 nonprofit committed to enhancing the quality of life for families within DFW.

Sept 2023, she became Host & TV Show Producer of "Highlight Humanity" with a mission to intentionally spotlight the greater good while making positivity popular. HHTV aired on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV, and invited as a media correspondent for State Fair of TX, Woman Evolve, Intl’ Leadership Summit, Good Soil Forum, Stomp Wars, The Fatherhood Awards, Urban Hydration’s Good Life Summit, and many more media outlets.

Since 2018, Dr. Johnson has partnered with DISD Schools with her LevelUP Club providing mentorship, resources, and a safe space for high school girls, and Future Ready Programs for high school students providing college and career pathways via mock interviews, resume writing, entrepreneurship workshops, enrichment experiences, and internship opportunities within the social sector. She has also served on the Advisory Board for Innovation Design Entrepreneurship Academy and Bryan Adams Leadership Academy on behalf of NAF (National Academy Foundation) for 9 years.

Dr. Johnson, at the age of 47, is a MAXimizer of LIFE and opportunities. She hails as a Servant Leader, Mentor, CoAuthor of 8 Anthologies, 4x Best Selling Author, Positive Influencer, Credentialed Mediator, Licensed & Ordained Chaplain, a Mental Health First Aider for Youth & Adults, Speaker, Panelist, Playwright, Ghostwriter, Grant-writer, Caterer, Inspiring Artist, Actress, Model, Life Solutionist, Red Carpet Correspondent, and most important title, Daughter of the Most High!

Currently residing in Dallas, TX, and married to Dr. Jeremiah Johnson of 28 years - after meeting at Walmart ☺ - with two amazingly beautiful children, JJ Jr. (age 24) & Mariah Serenity (age 22)!

ISP Studios Productions, Inc. is a full-service production company providing businesses and corporations highly creative media production services. With Margie Aguilar at the helm of the company, ISP has become a driving force in the competitive production arena. Ms. Aguilar’s motto has been, “We are really in the business of ideas. What we market is our creativity.”

Her company started in 1998 when she decided to focus her talents to fill a glaring void in the market. Her consistent performance and commitment to excellence has been widely recognized in the industry. Her company is a recipient of numerous prestigious Telly awards. Aguilar’s roots are in broadcast television, as a production manager for Univision and in producing engaging corporate communications.

The Team has been production partners with JCPenney for more than a decade. Margie and her team have provided creative, strategically targeted production solutions, working directly with JCPenney Creative Directors and Art Directors that have played a vital role in driving results across multiple channels from on-boarding to social media. From Store Operations to Associate Development, from Salon Stylist Training to Sephora Product Awareness, the ISP team, has augmented and strengthened JCPenney’s B2B, marketing and crucially social media channel communications. They have established themselves as valued, go-to partners who appreciate the challenges that come with understanding the unique attributes of pop culture, while challenging the creative status quo and remaining sensitive to design guidelines and brand standards.

Margie and her team are not only a creative benchmark against which others are judged, but they have differentiated themselves with an unyielding commitment to professionalism and customer service – executing consistently, fulfilling targeted communications objectives, on short production schedules, with budgets of all sizes. They have illustrated through their actions and relationship history, a strong desire to invest in long-term, enduring partnerships with their clients. This service-oriented growth model has proven to be mutually beneficial for both ISP and for clients as referrals has effectively fueled their expansion.

Ms. Aguilar has leveraged industry and association connections in an effort to give back to her community and expand, diversify and build the ISP brand. She has tapped into and captured America’s fastest growing demographic by providing specialized services and support within the Hispanic market while also leveraging her bilingual skills for English speaking audiences as well. Her team's work has spanned all mediums including: TV, radio, print, web and social media. Their appreciation for a campaigned approach to strategic marketing across all communications channels illustrates why they can confidently ensure audience impressions and messaging impact - in an effort to optimize their client's spend.

Patience, understanding, passion, budgetary sensitivity, creativity, business acumen and customer service are what propels this team. They not only embrace the importance of sustaining and building their own business model, but appreciate the important role they play in doing the same for their clients. Margie and her team are true partners, engaged in creating value and ROI through the assertion and delivery of creative products that net results. They execute with a sense of urgency, clearly understand that time is money, and appreciate that their work and its impact can indeed be game changing.

Reuben Lael Griffin is an education, nonprofit, arts, and civic leader with more than a decade of experience developing people, strengthening organizations, and building community-centered initiatives. He currently serves as President of the Dallas-Fort Worth Urban League Young Professionals, where, within a year, the organization increased membership by more than 31% and generated more than $20K in revenue through memberships, sponsorships, and programming while expanding relationships across the corporate, nonprofit, education, and civic sectors. Since joining in 2015, Reuben has served in leadership roles at both the local and national levels. His journey began with DFWULYP as Marketing & IT Chair (2016-2017), followed by serving as Chair of the 2017 Leadership Development Conference at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, which featured National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial as keynote speaker; creating the initial momentum toward reestablishing a DFW affiliate. He was later selected for the National Urban League Emerging Leaders Program (2018–2019), helping pave the way for his election to two terms as National Communications Chair for the National Urban League Young Professionals (2020–2023). Over the past decade, he has continued serving the movement through leadership development, communications, and other roles focused on strengthening members, chapters, and the next generation of Urban League leaders.

Griffin's professional journey has allowed him to work at the intersection of education, arts and culture, communications, and community engagement. A certified educator and school leader, he has served as the Fine Arts Director at John Lewis Social Justice Academy in Dallas ISD since 2019, supporting students, educators, recruitment efforts, and campus-wide initiatives. Previously in higher education, with experience at Southern University and A&M College, North Lake College, and The University of Texas at Dallas, where he worked across university administration, budget and finance and student services. His longstanding commitment to the arts and cultural development includes leadership with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters as chair of the Millennial Board, supporting youth arts programming, organizational strategy, marketing, and philanthropic engagement. His community leadership also includes work with 24HourDallas, which partners with the City of Dallas and community stakeholders to advocate for a vibrant and equitable nighttime economy, as well as the Garland Youth Community Choir and Garland Cultural Arts Commission. As a singer/songwritter, Reuben uses his artistry to inspire, advocate, and empower, including through his inspirational single “Stand Up”, which has been featured on various platforms. Across these experiences, he has led teams, cultivated corporate and community partnerships, advanced fundraising efforts, and helped create programs and experiences that have positively impacted hundreds of young people, families, and community members.

His educational background includes a Master of Education in Urban Educational Leadership from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management and Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Southern University and A&M College. Reuben has been honored by numerous organizations for his commitment to service, leadership, and community impact, including receiving the Catalyst Award from the State Fair of Texas and Friends of the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Museum, as well as the 2026 Humanitarian Award from the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Texas Council of Alpha Chapters. His family’s legacy of faith, public service, and his own contributions across the metropolitan cultural and civic landscape reflect a longstanding commitment to creating opportunities, uplifting communities, and carrying forward a tradition of service for the next generation. Griffin believes meaningful leadership begins with service, grounded in creativity, strategy, collaboration, and a genuine investment in people. Throughout his career, he has sought not simply to lead successful programs but to build stronger leadership pipelines, expand access to opportunity, and leave organizations and communities better positioned for the future.

Vincent “Vinnie” DeLuna-Allen is a lifelong Dallas resident, nonprofit executive, community leader, and dedicated public servant whose passion for bringing people together has helped shape some of North Texas' most recognizable celebrations and traditions.

Born and raised in Dallas, Vinnie is a proud product of Dallas ISD and a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where he studied dance and theatre and served as Senior Class President in 2014. His early experiences in the performing arts fostered a lifelong appreciation for creativity, leadership, and the power of shared community experiences.

Vinnie's commitment to community involvement began at a young age. At just 14 years old, he began volunteering with Dallas Pride under mentorship of longtime community leader Michael Doughman. What started as a passion for helping others evolved into years of coordinating major events and bringing people together. From 2019 to 2024, Vinnie served as Operations Director for Dallas Pride, gaining extensive experience in the planning, logistics, and execution of large-scale community celebrations.

In November 2024, Vinnie was elected Executive Director of Pride in Dallas, embracing the organization's mission of celebrating Pride in the heart of the historic Oak Lawn neighborhood. Building upon the efforts of those who established Pride in Dallas and successfully returned the parade to Cedar Springs Road in 2022, Vinnie has made it a priority to strengthen the parade's connection to the neighborhood and ensure that its continued growth benefits the surrounding community.

Under his leadership, Vinnie has championed the importance of keeping Pride rooted in Oak Lawn, recognizing Cedar Springs Road not simply as a parade route, but as a historic cultural center that has served generations of LGBTQ+ Dallasites. His efforts have focused on strengthening partnerships with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood stakeholders, and city agencies while creating opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the unique character of the district.

For Vinnie, producing the Pride parade is about more than organizing a successful event. It is about preserving the neighborhood's history, supporting the businesses that have long served the community, honoring those who helped establish Oak Lawn as a place of acceptance and belonging, and ensuring that future generations can continue celebrating Pride in its historic home.

In 2026, Vinnie helped lead Pride in Dallas through its fifth-anniversary celebration, further strengthening the organization's relationships throughout the community while honoring the legacy of those who came before. His leadership reflects a belief that community celebrations can serve as powerful tools for neighborhood revitalization, cultural preservation, economic activity, and bringing people together.

Vinnie's dedication to Dallas traditions extends far beyond Pride celebrations. For 18 years, he has proudly volunteered with the State Fair of Texas as a member of its parade staff. For approximately 12 of those years, he has held the highly trusted position of Parade Pacer. Earned through years of dedication, experience, and demonstrated operational ability, this critical position places Vinnie at the center of parade operations, where he is responsible for regulating the procession's speed and addressing logistical and operational challenges in real time. His work helps ensure that one of the State Fair's signature experiences operates safely and smoothly for the thousands of fairgoers who enjoy the parade.

His extensive volunteer experience also includes three years with the North Texas Irish Festival, numerous years supporting the Dallas Veterans Day Parade, and involvement with the Fort Worth Parade of Lights. Additionally, Vinnie volunteers his operational expertise to assist other community events and organizations, providing consultation, logistical insight, and event planning guidance when requested. These efforts have included supporting events such as The Market on the Strip and advising various Pride organizations. His willingness to share his experience reflects a commitment not only to the events he personally leads, but also to helping other community organizations succeed.

Beyond his contributions to Dallas' cultural and community events, Vinnie has dedicated his professional career to public safety and serving others. He currently serves as a Dallas County Deputy Constable, following previous experience as a municipal police officer and 911 dispatcher. His professional background has strengthened his ability to manage complex operations, solve problems under pressure, and work collaboratively with people from all walks of life.

In 2016, while serving as a 911 dispatcher, Vinnie received a Life-Saving Award in recognition of his actions during a critical medical emergency involving a three-month-old girl. For nine minutes, Vinnie remained on the telephone with the child's parents, calmly providing step-by-step CPR instructions as they fought to save their daughter's life. His composure, training, and ability to guide others through an unimaginable emergency were instrumental in saving the infant's life. The recognition remains a powerful example of his dedication to helping others when they need it most.

A decade later, on May 28, 2026, Vinnie and fellow Dallas County Deputy Constable Jonathan Banda were the first law enforcement officers to arrive at a devastating natural gas explosion at an Oak Cliff apartment complex that claimed three lives and injured several others. Despite the dangerous conditions, Vinnie immediately began going door-to-door through neighboring apartments, searching for residents and pets and helping protect those in the surrounding community. On June 16, 2026, Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia presented a formal resolution recognizing Vinnie and Deputy Banda for their courage, compassion, professionalism, and selfless service. The resolution was adopted by the Dallas County Commissioners Court in recognition of their willingness to act in the face of danger to protect others.

Vinnie also remains connected to his performing arts roots as a line dance instructor at Dallas' iconic Round-Up Saloon with Dallas Does Dance, sharing his passion for dance while helping create welcoming spaces where people can connect and enjoy one of Texas' favorite traditions.

From the State Fair of Texas to Cedar Springs Road, Vinnie's contributions reflect a lifelong commitment to the city he proudly calls home. Whether coordinating large-scale celebrations, preserving cherished traditions, responding to emergencies, or serving his community, Vinnie approaches every opportunity with determination, compassion, and a commitment to excellence.

His story embodies the very essence of Dallas' can-do spirit: a belief that through hard work, service, collaboration, and a willingness to step forward when needed, one person can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.