Jackie Joyner-Kersee

is a world-renowned Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest female athletes of all time. Known for her extraordinary achievements in track and field, Jackie is a six-time Olympic medalist, including three gold medals, and a pioneer in women's sports. Her dominance in the heptathlon and long jump has set records that still inspire athletes today.

Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Jackie is a passionate philanthropist and community advocate. She founded the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, which empowers young people and families in underserved communities through programs focusing on education, sports, leadership, and character development. Her foundation's efforts have created safe spaces and opportunities for youth, particularly in her hometown of East St. Louis, Illinois.
Jackie is also a strong advocate for health and wellness, promoting physical fitness and awareness for asthma, a condition she has successfully managed throughout her legendary career.

A familiar face at St. Philip’s, Jackie served as the Destiny Award Luncheon keynote speaker in 2012, inspiring attendees with her story of perseverance, excellence, and service. We are honored to welcome her back to the 2025 luncheon as the moderator for the keynote conversation with basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

Gwen and Art George

Gwen George, serves as a Board Member at the St. Philip’s School and Community Center.  Gwen is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma.  After graduating and moving to Dallas she worked for 30+ years in finance and accounting roles.  In addition to her extensive corporate experience she is an active member of the Trinty (TX) chapter of the Links Incorporated, an organization of professional women of color active in giving back to society.  

Gwen’s husband Art George received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., and his MS in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University.  He worked for 30 years at Texas Instruments (TI) starting as a test engineer and retiring as a TI Senior Vice President.  After his time at TI he served on the board of directors of three other public corporations.  

Together in 2014 Gwen and Art formed The George Development Group (GDG).   The GDG provides 1-on-1 career coaching and leadership development sessions along with delivering workshops and motivational speeches to groups.

Gwen and Art have a great heart for education because they both believe the ability to get their education dramatically improved their lives.  “Our education opened doors of opportunity for us that would have otherwise been closed.”  Since education positively changed our lives we want to help others get their education.  The work the St. Philips School and Community Center does is a great fit for our passion to help people get their education and to improve the lives of people in our community.

Brent and Marlena English 

have built a life together in Dallas, TX, where their shared passion for creativity, culture, and community fuels both their professional and personal endeavors. 

Brent, a seasoned Marketing and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion strategist, has spent over 15 years shaping marketing and organizational culture initiatives for global companies and brands. After earning his B.F.A. in Recorded Music at New York University, he began his career at ICED Media in New York City, working at the crossroads of consumer behavior and digital trends. He returned to Dallas a little over a decade ago to launch Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits’ first-ever multicultural marketing and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion teams. Most recently, he drove impactful diversity strategies at Ralph Lauren, creating inclusive programs for more than 40,000 employees worldwide. A proud alum of St. Philip’s School and Community Center, Brent remains deeply connected to its mission through his work in community engagement. Outside of work, he serves on the Board of Trustees at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Board of Directors at Bishop Dunne Catholic School.

Marlena, a Howard University graduate and member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., thrives in the world of branding and creative expression. She moved to New York City after receiving her B.A. in Fashion Merchandising and created the brand merchandising strategy for luxury jewelry brand Alexis Bittar, working as Senior Retail Merchandiser for five years. For the past decade, she has been a key member of the Brand Image team at Ralph Lauren, bringing her artistic vision to life in stores across multiple cities while also championing the arts in various Dallas communities. She serves as the Fine Arts Liaison for the Parent School Association Board at St. Philip's and is an active member of the Dallas Museum of Art Junior Associates.

Together, Brent and Marlena channel their love for music as the dynamic DJ duo endolena, blending music that reflects their diverse influences. From weddings and corporate events to gala after-parties and art galleries, they take pride in curating customized vibes through sonic soundscapes. When they’re not behind the turntables, they cherish family time with their five-year-old daughter, Forest, and their ten-year-old English Bull Terrier, Brick. They also enjoy collecting art, cooking, and volunteering. United by a commitment to culture, inclusion, and creativity, the English family continues to make an impact both locally and beyond.
 

Carolyn and David Miller

have held numerous volunteer leadership positions, and through the Miller Family Foundation have been generous supporters of many non-profits and charities with a particular emphasis on education, healthcare, and homelessness.

Carolyn earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Hendrix College, and she also holds master’s degrees in education and gerontology.   She is a member of the Board of Trustees of her alma mater, and she also serves on the Boards of Austin Street Center, Genesis Women’s Shelter, and SMU-in-Taos.  David earned his BBA and MBA degrees from Southern Methodist University. He is a long-time member of the University’s Board of Trustees, currently serving as its Chair.  He has received Distinguished Alumni Awards from both SMU and The Cox School of Business.  David also serves on the Boards of the George W. Bush Foundation, Southwestern Medical Foundation, and Methodist Health System Foundation.  He previously chaired the Boards of Goodwill Industries of Dallas and The Senior Source. 

 
The Millers were honored with The Senior Source’s Spirit of Generations Award, and they are both recipients of the Volunteer Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award.  David was recognized by Methodist Health System with the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award.  
The Millers are proud parents of five adult children and have been blessed with 13 grandchildren.