The Mid-Cities Chapter of The Links hosting 23rd Annual Black Tie Boxing Gala

The Mid-Cities (TX) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will host its 23rd Annual fund-raiser ROUND XXIII: A Knock Out Affair on Saturday, August 15 at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas.

Honorary Chairpersons for “Round XXIII“ are E. Leon and Debra Carter and Roland Parrish. E. Leon Carter is a principal of the law firm Carter Scholer Arnett Hamada & Mockler, PLLC, and practices in the Firm’s litigation section. Leon has served as a Dallas County Assistant District Attorney and as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas while Debra, his wife of 30 years, is an active community influencer and volunteer. Parrish, who owns 26 McDonald’s restaurants in the North Texas area, currently serves as chairman and CEO of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association. With more than $60 million in annual sales, his company has been recognized by Black Enterprise magazine’s BE 100 as one of the largest 100 Black-owned businesses in the United States.

In keeping with the chapter’s strategically focused efforts, proceeds from the event will benefit the Mid-Cities (TX) Chapter’s Scholarship Fund and other community service projects, most notably the Chapter’s Link-ED2STEM initiatives which have increased exposure and engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines for hundreds of young people.

In its 23rd year, Black Tie Boxing has become a signature event attended by leaders from various community and professional sectors in the Dallas Fort Worth area and around the country with just shy of 1,000 attendees last year. This year’s event is part of the organization’s celebratory weekend which includes the Mid-Cities (TX) Chapter’s 30th Anniversary Civic Luncheon featuring Jo Ann Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of AARP as the keynote speaker. The luncheon will also recognize and award six non-profit organizations with grants totaling $30,000 collectively to advance their community work. 

Black Tie Boxing XXIII corporate supporters include Billy Hawkins, E. Leon and Debra Carter, The Law Office of Erika N. Salter, P.C, Roland Parrish, Bank of Texas, BNSF Railway, Comerica, Gloria Legrand State Farm, The Hamptons Family Dental and Cosmetic Surgery, JD & Associates, Inc., Wells Fargo, AARP, AT&T, Atwill Consulting, Bank of America, Building Inspection Services, Chase Bank, Education is Freedom Foundation, First Southwest Company, Henderson’s Chicken, HMB, Lear Corp., Mangana Events, MillerCoors, Nerium International, Office Depot Regional HQ, Texas Pulmonary Sleep Center, Title One Boxing Denton and St. John Baptist Church.

General Chairpersons of the event are Billie Hawkins and Sandra Stewart. Chapter President, Veronica Spencer-Austin, acknowledges the community and corporate supporters of this event in saying, “We are thankful for the generosity of our community and corporate partners. For thirty years, our members have been actively engaged in addressing critical social issues to bring equity to individuals and families. With the continued philanthropy and collaboration of our supporters, we will deliver unparalleled service to our communities for years to come.”

The Links, Incorporated is an international organization, founded more than 60 years ago, by women of African descent, to make a positive impact on their communities. Through the years, The Links, Incorporated has raised millions of dollars for worthy causes including education, health care, arts and youth programs.

The formal affair will begin at 6:00 pm and will feature musical entertainment, live and silent auctions, dancing, live professional boxing and dinner. The attire for the event is black-tie. Tickets for the fund-raiser are $125 per person.

For more information about the event and online tickets sales please visit http://www.midcitieslinks.org/fundraiser