United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is closing out its centennial year with a night the region has never seen before — a historic celebration at the Cotton Bowl featuring global icon Janet Jackson and country star Blake Shelton.
At least 30,000 people are expected to pack into Fair Park in Dallas starting in the afternoon for the huge celebration.
The Saturday night concert caps a yearlong spotlight on a century of work that continues to change lives across North Texas.
Founded in 1924, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has spent the last century uniting civic leaders, corporate partners, nonprofits and volunteers around one mission: improving access to education, income and health — the building blocks of opportunity.
That focus continues today with an approach grounded in hyper-local data. The organization uses neighborhood-level insights to identify areas of greatest need and direct funding where it can create the most measurable impact.
United Way also sets 10-year regional goals to track progress. Its current plan, Aspire United 2030, aims to help 50% more third-graders read on grade level, add $800 million to the Dallas-area economy through expanded access to living-wage jobs, and ensure that 96% of North Texans can access affordable health insurance.
United Way didn’t slow down for its centennial year — it expanded its reach with new investments, new partnerships and new programs focused on long-term impact.
Among the year’s highlights:
Nearly 5,000 volunteers participated in the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, supporting events like STEM Fest at the Perot Museum, Stock the School and a regional Food and Health Resources Fair.
More than 1,000 volunteers read to over 15,000 North Texas students during a special Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy.
A new workforce training hub at RedBird, created in partnership with Arcosa and PepsiCo, opened to connect residents with in-demand skills and career opportunities.
The launch of the Data Capacity Building Initiative is helping local nonprofits improve how they collect and apply data to drive better outcomes.
During the last Texas legislative session, more than 1,000 advocates joined United Way in pushing for policy changes tied to early literacy, food security, affordable childcare and early childhood education.
UWMD
UWMD
The UWMD recently cut the ribbon on the new James Madison High School Resource Center in Dallas, providing families with free access to clean uniforms, hygiene products, healthy snacks and more.
In total, United Way programs touched the lives of 698,000 students, 571,000 workers and 473,000 North Texans who received access to critical health resources.
NBC 5’s Larry Collins takes a look at one of United Way’s true local success stories.
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All of that momentum leads to Saturday night’s Centennial Celebration presented by PepsiCo, an event organizers are calling a once-in-a-lifetime community moment.
The finale concert at the Cotton Bowl features global icon and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Janet Jackson, alongside country superstar Blake Shelton.
The concert is now sold out after offering free tickets to the community. Community champions and corporate partners will also take part in the program.
Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, says the event reflects both the organization’s legacy and its future.
“The Centennial Celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime unifying tribute to the people and partners who have shaped North Texas,” she said in a press release. “It will not only honor our shared history, but also shine a spotlight on the bold, innovative ways we’re creating access and opportunity for all North Texans to thrive, igniting the next century of measurable change.”
The celebration is supported by corporate partners including Texas Instruments, sponsor of the Centennial Aspire United Volunteer Series, and Century Circle sponsors Arcosa, AT&T, Bank of America, Comerica Bank, Kimberly-Clark, Trinity Industries and Vistra.
United Way is also inviting the community to play a role in shaping the next century by giving, advocating and volunteering.
Click here for more information on how to get involved in the next 100 years.
If you’re looking for help, click here for local resources through the United Way.