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Affordable Housing Leader Ashley O. Brundage Named CEO Of Dallas Area Habitat For Humanity
Since William Eubanks III’s departure as CEO of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity in October, Dallas Habitat Executive Committee Board Member Roy Whitehead has led a search committee for a replacement.
The five-month search just ended with the hiring of Ashley O. Brundage, who has been a leading force in Dallas’ “affordable housing sector.”
As the founding board chair of the Dallas Housing Coalition, Ashley “has been instrumental in advocating for policy reforms that promote the creation, preservation and protection of affordable housing in Dallas.” She has also served as a driving force for Dallas Rental Assistance Program and North Texas Cares.
Prior to accepting her new role with Habitat, she worked for 17 years at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, where she was executive director of Housing Stability and SVP of Community Impact.
In announcing her selection, Habitat Chair Ashley Sheetz said, “We are thrilled to welcome Ashley O. Brundage to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity as our new CEO; she is a force for good with a proven track record of convening groups, building strong teams and leading with collaboration and innovation.
Ashley, who will assume her new role on Monday, May 13, explained her decision to join Habitat this year: “Dallas Habitat is part of a global network that creates financial freedom, stability and a healthy environment for families and communities to thrive. I am so honored to be able to join the team of employees and volunteers who have been here, leading this incredibly meaningful, important work and to amplify their work.”
In addition to overseeing Habitat, she will continue in her (non-paid) position at the Dallas Housing Coalition.
Since its founding in 1986, Dallas Habitat “has served more than 2,100 low-income families, resulting in an investment of nearly $200 million in more that 25 Dallas area neighborhoods.”
* Photo provided by Dallas Area Habitat For Humanity
JUST IN: 2024 Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed And Hall Of Famer Announced
Tonight was buzzing all across North Texas. Besides patron parties taking place for the 2024 Mad Hatter’s Luncheon and Friday’s Genesis Luncheon, the reveal of the 2024 Crystal Charity Ball Fashion Show’s Ten Best Dressed got underway at Neiman Marcus NorthPark sponsored by IBC Bank.
But this year it featured only eight of the BD-ers and the 2024 Hall of Famer. The reason was that third-time BD-er Kim Quinn and newbie Katherine Wyker were out of town and unable to be part of the presentation.
However, that didn’t stop 2024 CCB Chair Cheryl Joyner and 2024 CCB Fashion Show Chair Kim Hext from joining NM VP/soon-to-be grandpa Scott Mitchell in announcing the class of 2024 on the third level of NM NorthPark.
This year’s crop includes Monica Eastin, Tracey Kozmetsky, Meredith Land, Tracy Lange, Anne McPherson, Wendy Messmann, Lisa Rocchio and Sunie Solomon.
The finale of the announcements was the reveal that Lisa Cooley would be the Hall of Famer for the 50th CCB Fashion Show.
As reported earlier, the featured designer will be Oscar de la Renta’s team of Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia. It should be noted that in the past decades of the fundraising fashion extravaganza, Oscar has been featured more than other designers.
Taking place on Thursday, September 12, the fashion show and luncheon will be at the NM flagship in downtown Dallas.
Leading up to the big event will be all types of fashionable invite-only cocktail receptions and a dinner for top sponsors.
As Kim warned guests to start warming up their plans to attend, contracts will not… emphasis on the word “not”… be available until Monday, April 29.
Funds raised through the event will benefit the 2024 CCB beneficiaries (Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, HHM Health, Methodist Health System Foundation, Parkland Health Foundation, The Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology, Traffick911 and Vogel Alcove).
Comerica Prom Dress Drive Provided 380 Gowns To The Delight Of Dallas and Collin County Teens
Comerica Bank has been busy recently with an office opening in Frisco and Shred Day DFW this coming weekend. Still, a lot of area closets are lean, thanks to the Comerica Bank Prom Dress Drive. Due to the generosity of area fashionistas, 380 gently experienced formal gowns have been donated for Dallas CASA and Boys And Girls Clubs Of Greater Dallas and Collin County.
The dress donations, in addition to accessories, are going to make hundreds of proms even more splendiferous.
After the March donations were locked down, Comerica Bank North Texas Women’s Forum “helped organize Dallas CASA’s boutique (private event) and assistants with BGC of Collin County and Greater Dallas set up and and prom dress shopping events.”
To celebrate Comerica’s 175th anniversary, it’s partnering with Project Beauty to “provide one teen from each benefiting organization with a complimentary make over (full hair and makeup) aka $175-value per teen on the night of their prom.”
Over the past nine years, Comerica’s prom program had donated more than 6,575 dresses for North Texas youngsters.
Even Threats Of Storms Couldn’t Dampen The Arboretum’s 7th Annual Food and Wine Festival
Never let it be said that a threat of rain or even thunder will keep North Texas foodies and wine lovers away from a fundraiser. And when the event is nestled in loads of tents with dozens of talented chefs and wineries, it’s proof of their determination — as was the long backup of vehicles in the far right lane on Garland Road leading to the Dallas Arboretum for its 7th Annual Food and Wine Festival on Thursday, March 21.
The VIP reception got underway at 6 p.m. in A Tasteful Place, which soon was jammed with guests vying to fill their wine glasses and sample bites from Georgie (Black Truffle Potato Churro Caramelized Onion Dip), Josė (Potato and Chorizo Croqueta with Chipotle Crema, Queso Fresco and Cilantro), Knife Dallas (Pasta Bolognese), Monarch (Crab Roll with King Crab, Lemon and Espelette), NOSA Restaurant and Inn (Oxtail Anasazi Bean Rogu with NM Hatch Chile Cornbread With Crème Fraiche and Scallions) and Sushi Rock (Tuna Sushi, Salmon Sushi, Yellowtail Sushi and Tiger Roll). Even the crash of glasses from a table onto the floor hardly made a dent in the festivities.
Meantime over in Rosine Hall, 24 setups were in full throttle. As Chef Chair Sharon Van Meter checked the herd of chefs and wineries, she couldn’t help but hug Pie Guy Sean Jett, whose Humble: Simply Good Pies is just across Garland Road a couple of blocks away from the Arboretum. He had Limoncello Tart Citron and Meringue laid out for tasting.
Organizers were prepared for the not-so-friendly weather and had arranged for the terrace around Rosine Hall to accommodate 16 stations and for tents to be set up in the Scot K. Ginsburg Family Plaza for 24 food and beverage presentations.
Oak Cliff’s Jimmy Contreras had his Taco Y Vino doing business at the corner of the Rosine Hall terrace with his Mini Crispy Blackened Ahi Tuna Tacos with Pineapple Pico, Wasabi and Guajilo Aioli and Yellow Corn Taco Shell. His LadyLove Lounge and Sound partner/DJ Kate Siamro was showing Fort Worth’s Jason Suder around the culinary festivities. A former journalist, Jason achieved great success when he opened the live-music bar Tulips FTW in Fort Worth’s Near Southside. During the 2021 ice storm, the bar served as a warming station and as a distribution site for free wood. This past January, Jason opened a second live-music venue, “Low Doubt Bar,” next door in a former glass-blowing studio.
Pat Green To Take The Senior Source’s Jub Jam XIII Stage For A Fundraiser Of “Miles and Miles Of You”
Once again music is going to be riding high for The Senior Source with the Jub Jam XIII taking place on Friday, May 31, with The Ticket’s George Dunham and the other Morning Musers: “Junior” Craig Miller and “The Great Gordo” Gordon Keith, as well as The Bird Dogs and pals Bobby Duncan, Michael Padgett, Isaac Hoskins and Gabe Lee.
Taking place at the legendary Longhorn Ballroom, the evening’s headliner will be Grammy-nominated Pat Green, who turned 50 last Friday.
As Pat admitted, “The older you get, you just have more to think about. So, that’s what the latest record [“Miles and Miles Of You“] is about — a guy with more to think about, coming through a hard time and into something as fun and beautiful as creation.”
Of course, the night will be filled with loads of music, adult beverages, an auction and raffle items and some great stories and feelings.
But the occasion will also see the presentation of the Laura Grace Award. The award is named in honor of Jub Jam Founder Dunham’s sister, whose “heroic efforts and calm selflessness through their parents’ illnesses” inspired him to start the Jub Jam benefit concert.
If you know someone who “is caring for an aging parent, spouse or loved one,” nominate them for the 2024 Laura Grace Award here before Friday, May 10.
Presented by Maestro Dobel Tequila, the night will begin with the doors opening at 6 p.m. and the music swinging into gear at 7 p.m.
According to the Census Bureau, “adults 65+ are projected to outnumber children under ages 18 for the first time in U.S. history by 2034.”
As The Senior Source President/CEO Stacey Malcolmson said, “Right Now, only 3% of philanthropic dollars go to older adults causes. However, with the help of The Ticket, the talented musicians who are giving their time, and the public, we can raise awareness about the current and impending needs of seniors.”
Since its first concert in 2012, Jub Jam has provided more that $1M for The Senior Source.
While sponsorships range from $1,000 to $10,000, tickets start at $50.
* Graphic courtesy of The Senior Source
Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholarships And Recent TWU Developments Highlighted Dallas Leadership Lunch
In addition to the presentation of Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award to Abby and Todd Williams and Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholarships to Gladys Elena Roa Albert, Alondra Ammon, Kelsie Barta, Jennifer Conner and Ruth George on Thursday, March 21, at Dallas Arts District Mansion for the … Read More...
Friends Of The Katy Trail’s Spring Support Campaign Is Underway With The Underwoods
With the solar eclipse in the rear-view mirror, the Friends of the Katy Trail 's Spring Support Campaign is in full bloom. Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs Brittany and Baxter Underwood are aiming to raise $100,000. As Baxter explained, "The Katy Trail is a beautiful and welcoming green space for … Read More...
DIFFA Patron Preview Party Guests “Eyeballed” 30 Of The Luxury Items That Will Up For Bids At Gala
The weather on the evening of Wednesday, March 20, was chamber of commerce perfect for the 2024 DIFFA Patron Preview Party at The Eye across the street from The Joule. Guests had the opportunity to "eyeball" 30 of the luxury jackets that will be up for bids at the 2024 House of DIFFA: Royalty … Read More...
Kids Sneaking A Peek At Solar Eclipse Sans Glasses Will Result In Longtime Visual Damage
Things are looking up for Monday’s total solar eclipse. While there’s been plenty written about the ins and outs of witnessing this remarkable experience, there’s still been some confusion about when to don the glasses, what types of glasses to wear and the unfortunate results if you don’t. Since … Read More...
Healing Hands Luncheon’s David Kwong Had Brainiacs On Board For The Fun And Others Just Plain Puzzled
The night before David "The Enigmatist" Kwong was to bring his sleight-of-hand Trans World Creation bag of tricks for the Healing Hands Luncheon at the Dallas Arts District Mansion on Tuesday, March 19, he dined with Luncheon Co-Chair Christy Berry and husband Robby Berry and Co-Chair Nancy Scripps … Read More...
Monday’s Total Solar Eclipse Will Be A Sight To Behold, But Only With Special Glasses
Anyone who has ever tried to coordinate an outdoor event in North Texas knows how tricky Ma Nature can be. There’s just no guessing whether you'll be dealing with the Sweet Mama — or the Throw-Mama-from-the-Train type. With this in mind, North Texas organizers have soldiered on hoping for chamber … Read More...