The Trinity Chapter of the Links, Inc. announced their 9th Annual “Diamonds and Sneakers Gala” is set for March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The Gala Fundraiser benefits Trinity’s signature mentoring So SMAART program. NBC5 Personality, Deanna Dewberry was selected as the MC for the benefit which promises to be an evening of dinner and dancing to the David Whiteman Band.
So SMAART, which stands for “Students Set on Science, Math, the Arts, Aviation, Reading, and Technology”, is an outreach program for girls that provides enrichment in six subjects. In the Chapter’s Stellar program So SMAART fosters achievable dreams for 4th-8th grade girls through education and exposure to Science and Engineering, Math, the Arts, Aviation, Reading and Technology. Since its inception in 2000, So SMAART has received numerous awards and accolades and has positively influenced the lives of 1000 girls in the Dallas Community.
Trinity has also influenced students through Scholarships for Excellence awards. Annually, 4-6 scholarships are awarded to deserving high school graduates who will pursue higher education. Former scholarship recipients are now matriculating in universities and many are pursuing graduate programs and professional careers. Funds from The Gala Diamond and Sneakers Ball benefit these two important programs and Community projects.
For this year’s event Ann Williams, founder of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Ann Gibson, CPA and former Accounting manager, will serve as chairs. Sharyn Holley is the President of Trinity Chapter’s 50 active members.
Dewberry, is NBC 5’s investigative reporter in the #NBC5Responds team. As a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience, Dewberry worked as a news anchor and investigative reporter at WISH-TV in Indianapolis, Indiana for more than seven years. She also worked at stations in Dallas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Lubbock.
She earned her degree in journalism from the University of Texas in Austin and is an 11 time Emmy Award winner. Dewberry has also been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists, Associated Press, Indiana Broadcasters Association, National Association of Black Journalists, Texas Speech Communication Association and the American Cancer Society.
In 2009, Martin University awarded her an Honorary Doctorate for her contributions to the field of journalism. Dewberry is a three-time cancer survivor and is heavily involved in activities that enrich the lives of cancer survivors and promote research. She is also a member of Jack and Jill of America and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She and her husband Gary are native Texans. The couple has three children and two furry family members a Bichon Frisée and a Golden Retriever.
“I love what I do for a living and believe in the service provided a community by strong investigative reporting. Having the opportunity to work with an extraordinary team of journalists at NBC 5 and do what I love in my native Texas is an absolute joy. It’s good to be home,” said Dewberry.
Sponsorship opportunities for the Diamonds and Sneakers Gala are still available, as are tickets for $100 each. For more info visit www.trinitylinksinc.org.
