Kouvelis named as 2011 co-chair as board begins preparations for 30th annual fundraiser in November
Tammye Nash and David Taffet | nash@dallasvoice.com
- HANDING OUT THE CHECKS | 2010 Black Tie Dinner Co-chairs, above left, Nan Arnold and Ron Guillard talk about their year heading up the Black Tie board. Incoming 2011 Black Tie Co-Chair Chris Kouvelis, right center, presents a check to representatives of Home for the Holidays. (David Taffet/Dallas Voice)
Officials with Black Tie Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 9, distributed grants to 20 beneficiaries totaling $1.15 million — up from the 2009 total of $1.04 million.
The funds, representing proceeds from the 29th annual Black Tie Dinner held in November, were distributed at a reception at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, host hotel for the annual fundraising dinner.
Ron Guillard, completing the second year of his two-year term as Black Tie Dinner co-chair, offered special recognition to the sponsors, table captains, dinner guests and volunteers who helped make this year’s sold-out dinner so successful.
- CATCHING UP | AIDS Services of Dallas President and CEO Don Maison, left, talks with former Resource Center Dallas board chair Bill Brosius during the Black Tie Dinner check distribution party Thursday. (David Taffet/Dallas Voice)
“My last official act couldn’t be more exciting than to distribute checks,” Guillard said. “It’s fantastic to be in the room with all the people who do so much work with Black Tie Dinner assuring its success.”
Nan Faith Arnold, who began the second half of her two-year term as co-chair at the distribution party, said, “I’m having a blast. It’s a great night. Each of our beneficiaries stands strong for the people they serve.”
“Stand strong” was the theme of this year’s event.
Chris Kouvelis, who will be Arnold’s dinner co-chair in 2011, was introduced.
“The check distribution event is the culmination of what we work for all year,” Kouvelis said. “It’s the most exciting thing to do. I’m honored to be in this position and am looking forward to a fantastic year.”
As in previous years, about half of the proceeds from the 2010 dinner — $577,500 — went to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The Dallas-Fort Worth dinner is the largest fundraiser of its kind each year for the foundation.
HRC Development Director Chris Speron attended the check distribution event. Executive Director Joe Solmonese was scheduled to attend but remained in Washington because of the “don’t ask, don’t tell vote.”
“The Dallas LGBT community is one of the most generous communities anywhere,” Speron said. “And the Black Tie Dinner is unmatched anywhere in the country. We are so privileged to work with the people involved in Black Tie Dinner and benefit from their amazing work.”
The remaining funds were divided between 19 local organizations providing services to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities. Resource Center
- EXPRESSING THANKS | Board members for Equality Texas, along with Equality Texas Executive Director Dennis Coleman, right, accept the organization’s check from Black Tie Dinner. (David Taffet/Dallas Voice)
Dallas received the largest local grant, getting a check for $48,504 from Black Tie.
RCD Executive Director Cece Cox said, “We are again delighted and thankful to be a beneficiary of Black Tie Dinner. This is unrestricted money that allows us to provide more services and reach more people.”
Groups were acknowledged for their participation. Turtle Creek Chorale sold the most raffle tickets. White Rock Friends contributed the most volunteer hours and the chorale was recognized for 682 hours of rehearsal time for the Black Tie Dinner performance. Resource Center Dallas sold the most tables with 22.
Black Tie Dinner is the largest formal seated dinner of its kind in the country in terms of both attendance and charitable contributions. This year, 3,000 guests attended the event, which featured keynote speaker Tammy Baldwin, U.S. congresswoman from Wisconsin, Media Award recipient Chely Wright, Elizabeth Birch Equality Award recipient American Airlines and Kuchling Humanitarian Award recipient the Rev. Carol West.
Arnold and Kouvelis said the Black Tie Dinner board is already working on the 30th Anniversary dinner, scheduled for Nov, 12, 2011, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. The 2011 beneficiary application will be available online in February at BlackTie.org.
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•2010 Black Tie Dinner Beneficiaries
Human Rights Campaign Foundation $577,500
AIDS Arms $38,029
AIDS Interfaith Network $24,464
AIDS Outreach Center $28,245
AIDS Resources of Rural Texas $25,622
AIDS Services of Dallas $34,896
Celebration Community Church $40,043
Congregation Beth El Binah $26,157
Equality Texas Foundation $25,219
Health Services of North Texas $23,600
Home for the Holidays $24,375
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund $38,764
Legacy Counseling Center $24,449
Legal Hospice of Texas $25,844
Northaven United Methodist Church $38,559
Resource Center of Dallas $48,504
Turtle Creek Chorale $32,494
White Rock Friends $21,055
The Women’s Chorus of Dallas $22,532
Youth First Texas $34,640
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 10, 2010.
Am I the only person wondering why so much of our locally raised money is headed to Washington in failed attempts at equality instead of staying here where it is badly needed?
This is very disappointing to me, and yet another reason I don’t more strongly support HRC. Look at the group that was awarded the most money. Now look at all the social service agencies listed below HRC. Every agency got considerably less than HALF of what HRC got. In these tough economic times, the various AIDS services, Youth First Texas, and the counseling services should have received MUCH MUCH more. These agencies benefit the health, kitchens, and souls of GLBT folk. The HRC is an already well-funded political group. Very sad planning- if not frankly disgraceful. My partner and I will donate directly to the agencies we support, and bypass future Black Tie’s woeful monetary dispersement.
exactly the reason why I would never go to this event or give my money to them, when they give over half a million dollars to a PAC that can’t even get DADT repealed and is about the most joyless bunch of people ever. I went on one date with an HRC executive committee member one time and he was one of the most shallow pretentious people I have ever met…and when he found out I was positive he walked out…so they’re not really a great bunch of people
Why do half the proceeds go out of the area, at a time when local organizations are losing funding? There’s a list of organizations that you could send your check directly to and know that 100% of your donation is going to them.