It’s one of the most anticipated philanthropic events in Dallas each year and this year will be no variation. The St. Philip’s School and Community Center welcome Basketball Hall of Famer, NBA Champion, analyst and businessman Shaquille O’Neal to their 22nd Destiny Awards Luncheon. O’ Neal joins a laundry list of other world famous greats to grace the stage at the Destiny Award Luncheon. The list reads like a who’s who of Dallas business elite and socialites and is definitely one of the hottest tickets on the calendar, each year. Dallas shows up big for St. Philip’s so that the school and community center can show up big for the students it serves.
The luncheon has welcomed the likes of the late Cicely Tyson, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, NBA icon Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Taraji P. Henson and many others to their luncheon which provides and opportunity for local leaders to lend a hand to further the work of the school at ‘the other 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Destiny Awards is an annual luncheon benefiting St. Philip’s School and Community Center. The luncheon features incredible scholars, athletes, and celebrities as keynote speakers and in moderated conversations. The Humanitarian Award is granted to a local individual or couple who has demonstrated exceptional work bridging relationships between diverse communities. All funds raised will directly benefit services promoting Christian education, senior services, hunger, student engagement, and athletics.
Each year, the conversation, special guest and moderator are all the talk of the town. What comes across in the conversation is talked about just as much as the conversationalists, themselves. This year, Avery Johnson, former player and coach of the Dallas Mavericks will join O’Neal in conversation. The men will do more than ‘talk shop’ about sports.
Both men have enjoyed post playing careers as successful businessmen, an inspirational feat the young learners and and luncheon attendees will love to learn about. Johnson will join other wonderful speaker and moderator pairings such as Soledad O’Brien with Cicely Tyson and Rolando Blackmon with Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
It should go without saying but, the conversation serves as the highlight of the award luncheon. The hallmark of the Destiny Award Luncheon is the unmatched experience of great music, great food, great students and a great conversation. Make plans to attend and be in the room where your donations will help many young dreams come true!
“The Big Aristotle” comes to the luncheon as the Parrish Family Destiny Award Luncheon Speaker and is best known for an NBA career spanning nearly two decades and earning him the sport’s highest honors, including membership in the NBA Hall of Fame. The four-time NBA Champion, 15-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Finals MVP has been named one of the most influential athletes by Forbes magazine. Shaquille O’Neal isn’t only a legendary athlete; he has also established himself as a powerful media personality and businessman over the years. Ranked among ‘‘The 100 Most Creative People in Business’’ last year by Fast Company magazine, O’Neal is currently an NBA analyst on TNT’s Emmy-award winning show, Inside the NBA on TNT.
Notables for this luncheon are:
Luncheon Chair: Pete Chilian
Underwriting Chair: Mark Copeland
Honorary Chairs: Rebecca and Rob Landin
Mona and David Munson Humanitarian Award Recipient: Dr. Bobby B. Lyle
The Destiny Award Luncheon is going BIG in more ways than one. The luncheon and fundraiser is normally held on the campus but this year, the luncheon and awards will take place in the Hyatt Regency Dallas in the Landmark Ballroom. The student showcase begins at 10:30 and ends at 11:30 when the luncheon begins. Each year, attendees get to see the fruit of their labor as current students make presentations and former students poised to graduate high school are celebrated.
This year’s theme is, “Excellence is a Habit” and the St. Philip’s school has communicated this to students through staff and donors. Tickets are still available for this year’s luncheon. To purchase tickets, a table or sponsorship, please visit the Destiny Luncheon and Awards page at stphilips1600.org.