Who's Who at Destiny:
Parrish Family Destiny Awards Speaker: Misty Copeland
Moderator: Lael & Peter Brodsky
Title Sponsors & Luncheon Chairs: Pamela Wils-Ward & Mitchell Ward
Underwriting Chairs: The Honerable Monica Purdy & Toby Purdy, Shonn Evans Brown & Maurice A. West
Speaker Sponsors: Jewel and Roland Parrish
Humanitarian Award Recipients: Fredye Factor
Thank you to our generous sponsors and friends that continue to pour into St. Philip’s School and Community Center.
ABOUT DESTINY
The Destiny Award Luncheon is the signature fundraising event benefiting St. Philip’s School and Community Center (St. Philip’s). This year, the event honors eight decades of St. Philip's unwavering commitment to education, empowerment and service in South Dallas. Now in its 26th year, this gathering will highlight the grand opening of the Moody Performing and Fine Arts Center, a transformative space designed to amplify student voices and community access to the arts.
At the luncheon, attendees will enjoy a special conversation with the Parrish Family Destiny Award Speaker, American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, Misty Copeland, moderated by Lael & Peter Brodsky, making it a truly inspirational occasion. The Mona and Dave Munson Humanitarian Award will be presented to Fredye Factor to honor her work to bridge diverse communities. The award reflects the belief in the oneness of humankind and the shared destiny that links us all.
St. Philip’s continues to shine as a beacon of light, hope, and transformation in South Dallas. It provides exceptional education for children from PreK to 8th grade, with a remarkable track record of success: 100% of St. Philip’s alumni graduate from high school, and 95% go on to college, far surpassing the local neighborhood’s high school graduation rate of 48% and college attendance rate of 4%. Notably, in May 2024 St. Philip’s graduated its first class of 8th graders. These 13 scholars earned over $300,000 in high school scholarships, a testament to the school’s academic excellence. Also in September 2024, St. Philip's was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, an extraordinary national achievement that underscores the school's dedication to educational quality and innovation.
Funds raised through the Destiny Award Luncheon directly support St. Philip’s community operations. Each year, St. Philips serves over 8,000 neighbors, providing critical services such as senior transportation, housing, hunger relief through Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, and enrichment programs for children and families. These efforts, combined with St. Philip’s founding athletics programs serving over 1500 children, ensure that the school continues to be a pillar of support and growth in the community.
St. Philip’s is truly the miracle at 1600 Pennsylvania.