Hundreds gathered to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations, high school and college students and corporations who made an extraordinary impact in North Texas during the 7th Annual ExtraordinaryIs Awards Gala Friday, Nov. 12, 2021.

The Gala at Live! By Loews in Arlington is the main source of fundraising for The Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation, which strives to honor the unsung, ordinary and everyday heroes in the community with grants and scholarships. Since the Foundation created the Gala, they have awarded more than 100 college scholarships, 25 sustaining college grants, 10 impact awards and provided funds for nearly 20 nonprofit organizations. 

Arlington ISD Sam Houston High School graduate and current President and CEO of Fortune 100 company TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America), Thasunda Brown Duckett created the Foundation named for her parents. You can watch her American Dream story here on the City’s YouTube channel.

“Arlington is The American Dream City and to start a foundation back here in Arlington, I’m dreaming,” she said. “My dad Otis Brown always taught me to reach for the moon because even if I missed, I’m among the stars. My mother always taught me that whatever I do, do it with kindness. TO be back in Arlington, having this foundation here, I am overwhelmed. I am full of gratitude to have an evening where people are dedicating their time, their resources and their love, means everything. It’s everything to be back in Arlington and to celebrate the ordinary people, which we all are, that are doing extraordinary things.”

Fundraising totals from Friday’s event continue to be calculated.