Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas (BGCD) hosted the 2nd Annual Great Futures Luncheon at the Omni Dallas Hotel on November 3, 2015. The luncheon, Chaired by Barbara and Gerald Louviere, formally announced the expanded Career Ready program and honored Karen and Tom Falk with the inaugural Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas Distinguished Champion Award. The James Madison High School Choir kicked off the event by singing the National Anthem and award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien delivered the keynote address.
Dedicated BGCD supporters, Tom and Karen Falk, were honored with the 2015 BGCD Distinguished Champion Award. This award acknowledges individuals who have devoted their time and effort in servant leadership. Their support has helped BGCD envision the future and enable pathways of success for BGCD members through their work in Collegiate STEPS and other programs. Their long history of exceptional generosity exemplifies the true nature of what it means to be a BGCD champion.
Keynote speaker Soledad O’Brien spoke to attendees about the state of education and how it pertains to academic and career development among youth in underprivileged communities. Mrs. O’Brien shares BGCD’s passion for enabling these youth with access to high-quality education. Along with her husband, she founded Starfish Foundation with the mission of supporting scholars to achieve their full potential by providing financial assistance and mentoring to ensure a successful scholastic journey through college.
Charles English, BGCD President & CEO, explained how BGCD is working to prepare members for careers after graduation. Career Ready is among many of BGCD’s outcome-driven afterschool education programs for Dallas youth located in underserved communities. This innovative program is designed to encourage students to graduate from high school by engaging those who elect to enter the workforce upon graduation and helping them to become successfully employed in technical careers.
Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club member, Cameron Butler, was introduced to guests in a moving video highlighting his Boys & Girls Club tenure. Cameron is a senior at South Oak Cliff High School and is in the top 8% of his class. He has been a member of BGCD since the age of six. Cameron has accumulated over 250 hours of community service at the Club and is a true embodiment of the Boys & Girls Club movement.
2015 GREAT FUTURES LUNCHEON SPONSORS:
Visionaries-$10,000 - Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Mike Myers Foundation; PwC
Role Models- $5,000 - Exxon Mobil Corporation; Fuel Rewards; Hitachi Consulting; NBC 5; Westcott Foundation
Mentors-$2,500 - Andrews & Barth, PC; Bank of Texas, Inc.; Boyd, Shackelford & Barnett; Comerica; Gensler; Holt Lunsford Commercial; Independent Bank; Jackson-Shaw; Mentors of Collegiate STEPS; The Northern Trust Company; PlainsCapital Bank; Regions Bank; Republic Title of Texas, Inc.;Wilemia Shaw; Texas Capital Bank; Day and George Watson; Wright Ginsberg & Brusilow P.C.