One of the top 50 greatest players in basketball history, the legendary NBA great Julius “Dr. J” Erving will headline the 25th-annual Destiny Award Luncheon, benefiting St. Philip’s School & Community Center, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Anatole.
Serving as St. Philip’s largest fundraiser of the year, the event will feature an unforgettable conversation with NBA Hall of Famer Dr. J – the Parrish Family Destiny Award Speaker – moderated by Olympic Gold medalist and track and field Hall of Famer Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
In addition, the Mona and David Munson Humanitarian Award will be presented to Rozene Pride and the late Charley Pride in recognition of their invaluable work to bridge diverse communities and foster unity.
The morning kicks off with a “student showcase” at 10:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Chantilly Ballroom. The David Miller Family is the Luncheon Chair, Gwendolyn and Arthur George are the Underwriting Chairs, and Marlena and Brent English are the Host Committee Chairs. This is a milestone year as St. Philip’s School & Community Center celebrates 25 years of honoring Dallas’ rich legacy of altruism and bringing in dynamic speakers to engage the school’s diverse stakeholders and the broader community.
Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, St. Philip’s continues to provide exemplary education for children from PreK2 to 8th grade, boasting a 100% high school graduation rate and a 95% college attendance rate amongst alumni. In May 2024, St. Philip’s inaugural 8th-grade class earned over $300,000 in scholarships for their continued education, highlighting the school’s commitment to academic excellence and innovative educational practices.
Funds raised from the luncheon directly support St. Philip’s wide range of community programs and services operations, which reach more than 8,000 neighbors annually. These efforts include senior transportation services, Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, neighborhood revitalization through commercial real estate and affordable housing initiatives, and youth academic enrichment and athletic programs serving over 1,5000 children.
About St. Philip’s School & Community Center
Located in the heart of South Dallas' Forest District, St. Philip’s serves as an anchor, advocate, and agent of change for the community. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, St. Philip’s provides a faith-based, high-quality education for students from PreK to 8th grade. With a remarkable 100% high school graduation rate and 95% college attendance rate among alumni, St. Philip’s far exceeds the local averages. In May 2024, the school graduated its first class of 8th graders, with the class earning over $300,000 in high school scholarships – a testament to the school’s academic excellence.
