For more than a decade, bold ideas and community-driven solutions from our social innovation programming have been reshaping North Texas—often behind the scenes, driven by founders who are deeply committed to tackling our region’s toughest challenges in education, income and health. Now, for the first time, we are bringing it all together. 

On Thursday, June 18, The Showcase invites you to step inside 12 years of social innovation—experiencing the work, meeting the founders and engaging directly with the ideas transforming our community. 

The Showcase 

Thursday, June 18 

6:00 – 9:00 PM 

The Astoria
3216 Royalty Row, Irving, TX 75062 

Get your tickets now for just $25. 

From Curiosity to Connection 

The Showcase is a uniquely immersive experience designed to move you from observer to participant. 

During our inaugural event, you’ll explore interactive zones, engage in live workshops and demonstrations, and connect directly with the innovators behind some of North Texas’ most impactful solutions. This is your opportunity to go beyond surface-level understanding and see firsthand how change is built—through persistence, creativity and a willingness to evolve. 

You’ll hear directly from social entrepreneurs about their inspiring origin stories, powerful examples of impact and refreshingly honest insights—not just about wins, but about pivots, tough decisions and the breakthroughs that come from staying committed to the work. 

Who Is The Showcase For? 

Regardless of what kind of change-seeker you are, you’ll find something inspiring at The Showcase. 

If you’re a funder, you’ll get to connect directly with ventures that are actively looking for partners and see where your dollars have already gone to work. If you lead a nonprofit, you can trade notes with innovators who are navigating the same path. If you’re a corporate partner, you’ll find concrete ways your organization can plug into work already underway. And if you’re a student or other curious mind, you’ll get an honest look at what building social change actually involves.  

What You’ll Experience at The Showcase 

Throughout the evening, you’ll have the chance to challenge your thinking, engage your senses and experience some of the innovative organizations that are making an impact across North Texas. The event will include: 

• Founder-led workshops ranging from hip-hop songwriting to etiquette training, body scrub making, and more 

• A live barbershop offering shaves, styling and makeup touch-ups 

• A pop-up farmers market and cooking demos featuring local culinary entrepreneurs 

• VR empathy simulations and hands-on activations that bring complex challenges to life 

• Food trucks and light bites from across the community 

At the heart of it all will be meaningful connections with founders who are redefining what impact looks like right here in our community. 

Meet the Changemakers 

The Showcase brings together an inspiring group of innovators and organizations working across the social impact ecosystem, including Dotted (the 2026 Social Innovator of the Year), Cornbread Hustle, Teen Writers Project, Restorative Farms, Urban Arts Collective, Healthy Hip Hop, Dwell with Dignity, Black to the Lab and many more. 

You’ll hear directly from standout leaders and speakers like: 

• Janet Collinsworth, Founder of Jericho Village  

• Matthew Porter, Mayor of the City of Wylie  

• DeJenae Parkman, CEO and Founder of Dotted and 2026 Social Innovator of the Year 

• Van Parker, 2025 Social Innovator of the Year from Housing Connector 

• Cheri Norris, Founder of Cornbread Hustle (who will be sharing a major announcement for the first time) 

• Crystal Dobson, Founder and CEO of CardiacFITT 

Plus, join us in celebrating the next wave of leadership during our Social Innovation Incubator fellow recognition ceremony. 

Go Deeper: The Pollinator Speakeasy 

When you’re ready to move from inspiration to action, The Showcase offers a unique opportunity to find your niche in the future of social innovation in North Texas. You can pledge to become a mentor or volunteer, apply for the Accelerator or Incubator, and more.  

Then, make your commitment visible by planting it at the Impact Tree—and unlock access to the Pollinator Speakeasy, an exclusive experience within The Showcase. 

Inside, you’ll enjoy: 

• Live music 

• An adaptogenic Pollinator cocktail 

• A space designed for deeper connection with fellow changemakers and supporters 

• A taste of what happens when ideas turn into action 

Why Social Innovation Matters in North Texas 

The challenges facing North Texas are complex—but so are the solutions. As we unite the community to improve access to education, income and health, social innovation is one way that we drive progress toward our Aspire United 2030 goals. 

Social innovation simply means finding new solutions to social problems that are more effective, efficient, sustainable or just than current solutions. This creative approach to improving our community is at the heart of everything we do.  

For the first time ever, The Showcase offers a rare opportunity to see the full social innovation ecosystem at work: founders, supporters, programs and ideas all connected by a shared commitment to impact. 

You’ll leave with inspiration, excitement and a deeper understanding of what it takes to drive change and where you can play a role. 

Join Us 

Whether you’re a long-time United Way supporter, a community leader, or simply someone who believes in the power of innovation to solve real problems—The Showcase is your invitation to engage, connect and invest in what’s possible. 

Get your tickets now and be part of the movement shaping North Texas’ future.