The North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA) hosted “A Night at the MET Gala 2026: Momentum. Excellence. Transformation.” on Friday,August 7, 2026, at Live! by Loews Hotel & Convention Center. The sold-out, black-tie evening welcomed more than 500 guests and brought together the region’s most influential business leaders, certified small business owners, public-sector partners and community change makers to celebrate NCTRCA’s 34-year legacy of advancing economic opportunity across North Texas.
Angela Alexander’s Take on the Theme: Momentum. Excellence. Transformation.
“We have a converging of influencers, corporations, businesses, leaders, civic leaders, artists, innovators all in one room having a good time meeting looking each other in the eye and being excited about what they see. Excellence is represented in this room. Every breath you take makes you feel something. We’re excited about the artists, we’re excited about the transformation taking place in the room and the transformation that’s going to take place after tonight.”
We are the spark that’s going to light up the state of Texas!
The evening was led by Mistress of Ceremonies Allison McGevna, senior vice president of Digital Content at iONE Digital, and featured a dynamic and inspirational keynote address by Mikki Taylor, acclaimed author, cultural storyteller and longtime Editor-at-Large of ESSENCE Magazine. Live entertainment was provided by Troy Terrell Bell, acclaimed opera singer, actor, educator and creative artistic director whose performance career spans more than four decades in theater, music and community arts. The Live Blue Carpet, where North Texas’ most prominent business and civic leaders made their arrivals, was hosted by Laterras R. Whitfield, three-time Emmy-nominated producer, director and creator of the award-winning podcast Dear Future Wifey.
“What moved me most about A Night at the MET Gala went far beyond the beauty of the room. It was what happened within it.” shared Angela Alexander, Executive Director of NCTRCA. “I remain humbled by what we witnessed. We created a space where confidence became courage, connection became community, and access became opportunity. Perhaps the greatest measure of the evening is not how beautifully we filled the room, but how differently people will walk into the next one.”
One of the evening’s most electrifying moments was a live art auction showcasing original works by North Texas artists. Featured was speed painter Evan Struck, whose live creation sold for $8,500, the highest single sale of the evening. Additional original works by local artists were also auctioned throughout the program. Following the live auction, guests participated in a live mission moment, where attendees were able to make donations to directly to support NCTRCA’s mission. Throughout the evening, guests also had the opportunity to bid on additional works through a silent auction. Combined with silent auction proceeds, the evening generated a total of $30,000 in support of NCTRCA and its work to advance small business opportunities across North Texas.
Keys from the Keynote Speaker
Momentum calls for us to accelerate the pace. Excellence means for you to show up in your truth and transformation means that you have to show up to create change, to provoke change when it’s necessary (and to make an impact).
We don’t have the luxury of going to work, we have to build institutions, build businesses, build leaders. And really change the trajectory for future leaders. So momentum, excellence and transformation, that’s what it’s all about and this is our time!
This (NCTRCA)the arm that’s making it happen and Angela, James and the team, they’re doing the critical work and if we don’t do it, who will?
Artwork from the Gallery
NCTRCA also recognized outstanding individuals and organizations whose leadership and contributions have strengthened the small business ecosystem across North Texas. Reginald Loftin of Reginald Loftin Photography was honored with the Small Business Leader and Community Advocate Award. The Arlington Black Chamber of Commerce received the Organizational Entity of the Year Award. Parkland Health was named Public Entity of the Year. AXE STEEL, led by Sherman Jameson, was recognized as Emerging Small Business 2026.
Also unveiled at the event was THE BRIDGE by NCTRCA, an AI-powered directory and opt-in network connecting NCTRCA-certified small businesses with the primes, public buyers and corporate partners who need them. Designed to take businesses beyond certification and toward sustainable growth, THE BRIDGE allows certified firms to publish capability profiles discoverable through plain-language search, no codes, no spreadsheets. The platform serves certified businesses, corporations, prime contractors and public agencies across all 16 North Central Texas counties. Businesses and buyers can register at bridge.nctrca.org.
Newsmakers and Notables from NCTRCA’s “A Night at the Met Gala”
Sammi Bivens, the Digital Marketing Maven assisted with creative direction and design of the gala. The SMG Report asked her about the night’s theme and seeing the vision brought to fruition.
Momentum. Excellence. Transformation. Those are the things that make a small business go to the next level. You have to keep the momentum going, you have to be innovative, you have to pivot when necessary. You have to operate in excellence and set yourself apart from others. Transformation- you have to be able to provide that for the companies and organizations you work with and I feel that we accomplished that tonight. Digital Marketing Maven had the pleasure and honor to help with the creative direction and design of the event tonight and it just feels so good to see everything come to life.
(About the theme): We wanted to do something different that we haven’t seen traditionally in the metroplex. There’s a lot of events as we know coming into the holiday season. There’s something every other week so I feel like this event kicks off the season and sets a standard for something that’s different, that’s excellent, that people can really enjoy and it’s partying with a purpose!
NCTRCA gratefully acknowledges the sponsors and partners whose generous support made A Night at the MET Gala 2026: Momentum. Excellence. Transformation. possible. Premier Sponsors include Alliance Geotechnical Group, Digital Marketing Maven & Associates, Dikita Engineering, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Gorrondona & Associates, The Rio Group, AXE Energy, DFW International Airport, Dallas College and North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA). Supporting Sponsors include Muhammad Law Firm, City of Arlington, Balfour Beatty, City of Irving, City of Mesquite, DART, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Picasso, Abba Staffing, The Burrell Group and CrossRoads.
