From our team at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, thank you to everyone across North Texas who celebrated 100 years of changing lives with us. This Centennial year has been a milestone in every sense—a moment to honor our rich history, celebrate the progress we’ve made together and look ahead with bold optimism to the century of impact still to come. We simply could not have reached this moment without passionate supporters, partners, neighbors and changemakers like you.

Throughout our Centennial year, our commitment to improving access to education, income and health never paused. Instead, the Live United movement accelerated all across North Texas. Over the past 12 months, tens of thousands of supporters invested, volunteered and advocated alongside us, positively impacting more than 1.7 million of our neighbors—an incredible achievement highlighted in our new Impact Report. From hands-on impact during the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments to key investments in community programs, together we built momentum that will carry us well into our next century of measurable change.

On Saturday, November 15, that momentum reached its peak at the Centennial Celebration presented by PepsiCo—a once-in-a-century community gathering that welcomed around 30,000 people to Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl. It was one of the biggest celebrations Dallas has ever seen—a joyful tribute to unity, partnership and the belief that every North Texan deserves the opportunity to thrive—that culminated with unforgettable performances by global icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and philanthropist Janet Jackson and country superstar Blake Shelton.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 civic and business leaders gathered for a special Patron Dinner presented by Kimberly-Clark, an inspiring evening that celebrated both legacy and leadership. The program included meaningful reflections from long-standing partners, moving moments of recognition—such as the presentation of the J. Erik Jonsson Award to Rich and Mary Templeton—and a stirring performance by Grammy winner Andra Day.

Guests included Honorary Centennial Chair Barbara Pierce Bush, Darren Woodson, Rolando Blackman, Marty Turco and other community leaders, who joined us in honoring a century of measurable impact and the people who have made it possible.

Behind this incredible milestone were the generous Century Circle sponsors whose partnership made the celebration possible: PepsiCo, Texas Instruments, Arcosa, AT&T, Bank of America, Comerica Bank, Hoblitzelle Foundation, Kimberly-Clark, Trinity Industries and Vistra. Their belief in our mission—and in the future of North Texas—helped bring this historic event to life.

“PepsiCo is proud of our longstanding partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and to be the presenting sponsor of the Centennial Celebration,” said Steven Williams, CEO of PepsiCo North America, 2023-2025 Annual Campaign chair and Centennial co-chair. “Our collaboration with Southern Dallas Thrives and our annual PepsiCo Day of Caring have been integral to our company culture, driving transformative change for both the community and our people. We look forward to making an even greater impact together in the future.”

Throughout the year, the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments engaged thousands of volunteers in hands-on projects that advanced our Aspire United 2030 goals. From Reading Day and STEM Fest to Stock the School and neighborhood revitalization projects, more than 5,000 volunteers helped strengthen our community—joined by partners such as the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, Dallas Wings, Dallas Trinity FC and FC Dallas.