Changemakers Honored at Equanimity Awards Gala

photos courtesy of Crystal Chatmon


Hosted by musician Daniel Dodd-Ellis and WFAA’s Alanna Sarabia, co-host of Good Morning Texas, the Equanimity Awards Benefit Gala took place on July 28 inside the Royal Affairs Ballroom in Lewisville, TX. The evening raised funds for JB Dondolo, Inc, a 501c3 non-profit which provides the simple, basic necessities to impoverished communities worldwide. Lumbie Mlambo, founder of J.B. Dondolo took to the stage to relay that proceeds from the evening will specifically be used to bring clean water to the Igusi Clinic in Umguza, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe and repair the kitchen and bathrooms. This effort will impact a community of 20,000 people. Guests were so moved by her story that people were approaching the stage and handing Mlambo cash and checks as she was speaking. This burst of spontaneous support generated almost $2000 in addition to the evening’s silent and live auction. Ongoing donations can be made to http://jbdondolo.org/ways-to-care/#donate.

Dallas Dweller: Lumbie Mlambo

Dallas is full of colorful characters. There are those you see monthly in the society pages, whose stories are legendary in this town. But this feature, is inspired by the people that I think you should know more about because of their fabulous style, interesting back-story or amazing accomplishments. Dallas Dweller seeks to introduce you to these fabulous faces.

Meet Dallas Dweller Lumbie Mlambo 

Lumbie Mlambo grew up the youngest of 10 children in a rural part of Zimbabwe, Africa. Her family were farmers who raised cattle and grew crops (largely, corn) to feed their large brood. "I grew up feeling loved and supported, learning from them the value of not judging others, being humble, appreciating the little things and understanding that positive change for the better can come, no matter how hopeless the current moment may seem," say Mlambo of her childhood. She discovered a passion for computer science and Information Technology and moved with her husband's job to Indiana where she earned an Associate's Degree in Computer Science from Indiana University at South Bend and later returned to Texas to get her B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics from Texas Woman's University. She launched her career in Software Development in 1996 and later worked as a business analyst and project manager in the IT Industry. Her background includes an extraordinary 10-year stint as a Software Engineer with JP Morgan Chase, where she was in charge of developing mortgage-related consumer software.

Getting Irreverent in Jane McGarry's Stunning New Home

Jane McGarry has graced television screens in North Texas for 20+ years first as the nightly news anchor for NBC and now as co-host of the popular morning show Good Morning Texas on ABC. Her social media followers are privy to her savvy sense of style and amazing shoe collection, but what you might not know is that Jane is an amateur interior decorator who has a keen sense of color and  love of art. Together with her long-time decorator, Ken Blasingame, she has just put the finishing touches on her new Dallas home. "McGarry’s just-the-way-she-wants-it condo is not unlike her on-screen personality—exuberant, accessible, and fearless about bending the rules now and then," says D Home magazine in a new inside peek.

Dallas Zoo To Do Celebrates Silver Safari

Click on the image below to view an album of photos from this event:

photos c/o Thomas Garza Photography


One of my many happy places around Dallas is the Dallas Zoo. I love being outside and communing with nature, plus there are amazing animals to look at and learn about! So, I always love attending the Zoo's annual fundraiser called Zoo To Do. This year marked their 25th Anniversary and the "Silver Safari" was celebrated in jungle chic style this past Saturday evening. My dates for the evening were WFAA's Good Morning Texas co-hosts Jane McGarry and Alanna Sarabia. Guests strolled through the award-winning Giants of the Savanna exhibit taking in the sights of elephants and giraffes roaming the Savanna and chetahs and lions lounging about as we bid on a vast array of silent auction items. I spotted Don and Barbara Daske (who was this year's Auction Chair), Kent and Tracy Rathbun, Chris and Rachel Trowbridge, Steve and Anne Stodghill song those taking in the sights (and smells). Attendees grazed exquisite dishes from over twenty-five of Dallas’ premier chefs and restaurants and enjoyed interactive animal demonstrations and musical entertainment. One of my favorite parts of this event is getting to get up close and personal with some of the Zoo's residents. This year I got to hold a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (proof in the above photo gallery), feed a giraffe, pet an African Hedgehog, and hold a boa constrictor. So cool. Following dinner, guests moved to the Wilds of Africa plaza for a live auction featuring rare Zoo experiences, travel, and more. The evening culminated with dancing and live music from Party Machine. Event Chairs Hal Brierley, Don Glendenning, and John Levy and Honorary Chair Mary McDermott Cook deserve a round of applause for executing an amazing celebration (and raising a ton of money). www.dallaszoo.com