DALLAS YMCA 2023 KEY LEADERS LUNCHEON: BREAKING BARRIERS, FEEDING FUTURES

Felix Lozano, Timmy Newsome, Benaye Wadkins Chambers, Dr. Jaclyn Albin, Shannon Murray, Cristal Retana Lule, and Curt Hazelbaker

DALLAS (October 10, 2023) – The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas hosted the 2023 YMCA Key Leaders Luncheon, presented by Southwest Airlines, on Tuesday at the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas. The annual Key Leaders event aims to encourage Dallas area business leaders, nonprofit thought leaders, and the community to become more involved to help improve and strengthen the YMCA’s future strategies that support North Texas by nurturing youth development, energizing healthy living, and inspiring social responsibility.

This year's luncheon focused on the pressing need for community health support and advocacy related to food insecurity and nutrition education. This included how culinary medicine shapes healthier choices, how innovative programs bridge the gaps in food access, and how advocacy initiatives are reshaping policies for a healthier North Texas. 

According to Feeding Texas, 1 in 8 Texans experience food insecurity, which is equal to nearly 4 million individuals. Texas is also one of 9 states with higher food insecurity than the national average. Without regular access to food and proper nutrition, it could put an individual at a higher risk for health complications that may negatively impact one’s cognitive abilities, growth, and disease.

Expert panelists included:

  • Dr. Jaclyn Albin, M.D., CCMS, DipABLM - Associate Professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Albin believes when individuals treat food as medicine, it brings a unique opportunity to weave clinical, educational, and research that supports future care professionals, patient lifestyle behavior change, and uplift the health of communities.
  • Benaye Wadkins Chambers – President & CEO of Crossroads Community Services, a leading nonprofit that serves Dallas-area residents by building long-term relationships with shoppers and community partners to alleviate food insecurity. Benaye is passionate about causes related to children, civil rights, food security and health.
  • Timmy Newsome – Former Dallas Cowboys player and an Advocate for Children At Risk, a non-profit research and advocacy organization dedicated to understanding and addressing the root causes of child poverty and inequality.

“Food insecurity is one of the largest issues we face in North Texas. Since 2020, the Y has distributed more than 142,000 meals and delivered over 340 tons of produce to families who need extra support,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “And although this is a large contribution, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. It starts with conversations with experts, our neighbors and our community. The Y is working to fine tune our process and learn how we can reach families in a more impactful way.  We have also focused on nutrition education through a number of programs for decades and will continue our commitment to instilling healthy lifestyles in families and children alike. We recognize chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease as serious threats to the health of North Texans and we know proper nutrition is a crucial way to combat them.”

Thank you to all our sponsors. This year’s event included Southwest Airlines as the presenting sponsor and D CEO as the media sponsor, in addition to Cars for Kids, Whitley Penn, Dallas College, Haynes and Boone, LLP, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce president & CEO, Ken Malcolmson, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Jill and Brent Magnuson, and Rebekah Hamilton Kay.

To watch and learn more about the event: www.ymcadallas.org/keyleaders

2023 Key Leaders Luncheon Presented By Southwest Airlines

About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women and children each year, regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in 21 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have equitable access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. To learn more or get involved in improving our local communities, have opportunities to make an impact and support your neighbors, please visit us at www.ymcadallas.org.