Donnie Ray Albert:

Albert's rich, operatic baritone is known theworld over. He's performed leading stage roles throughout Europe and the United States.

The SMU grad also finds time to return to the Metroplex to perform with the Dallas and Fort Worth opera companies.

Here's to you, Donnie Ray Albert – life is richer because of you. more

Irma P. Hall

Hall is a gifted character actress who has appeared in many TV shows, and in major movies, such as "The Ladykillers" and "Soul Food."

She's kept close ties to her roots in Dallas. For many years, Hall worked locally as a schoolteacher and she helped start the Dallas Minority Repertory Theater.

Here's to you, Irma P. Hall – life is richer because of you. more

Jennifer Holliday:

Holliday is a Broadway actress who originated the role of Effie White in the musical, "Dreamgirls," winning a Tony-award for her performance.

Audiences around the world know the Houston-area native for her powerful performances. She also makes her way to Metroplex to appear with groups such as the Turtle Creek Chorale and others.

Here's to you, Jennifer Holliday – life is richer because of you. more

Liz Mikel:

The actress and singer won fame for her work in the acclaimed TV series, "Friday Night Lights." Critics on Broadway have praised her for her commanding performances, as well.

She's also appeared in many local shows prompting arts critics to call her "a fixture on the Dallas theater scene."

Here's to you, Liz Mikel – life is richer because of you. more

Dr. Roslyn Adele Walker:

Walker is the curator of African Art at the Dallas Museum of Art, and has organized several exhibitions which celebrate African and African-American culture.

Her broad experience as art administrator – including work at the Smithsonian Institution – helps ensure this documented heritage will remain vital for North Texans in the years to come.

Here's to you Roslyn Walker -- life is richer because of you.more

Shelly Carrol:

Carrol, a saxophonist, attended the University of North Texas in Denton where he became a member of the school's acclaimed One O'Clock Lab Band.

In addition to recording with some of the industry's top artists, Carrol pursues a passion to share his gifts with young people, teaching part-time at West Mesquite High School.

Here's to you, Shelley Carrol -- life is richer because of you.
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Roy Hargrove:

The Grammy Winning jazz trumpeter has played with jazz greats like Herbie Hancock, Winton Marsalis and Chu Cho Valdez.

When Roy's in town...he always stops by his alma mater Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

to work with the jazz students.

Here's to you Roy hargrove....life is richer because of you. more

Roger Boykin:

This jazz and funk icon has played with the likes of Isaac hayes in the early 70'sand David Fathead Newman. he continues to be instrumental in Dallas' music sceneas the R & B Band Director at Booker T. Washington high School for the Performingand Visual Arts.

Here's to you Roger Boykin....life is richer because of you.more

Akin Babatundé:

Babatundé is an award-winning actor and playwright whose work audiences know through Broadway, regional theater, film and television.

He founded the Vivid Theater Ensemble of Dallas, and his one-man show, "A Visit with Satchmo" – based on the life of Louis Armstrong – has played to wide acclaim across the country.

He's also an arts educator whose work has helped under served communities and at-risk teens.

Here's to you Akin Babatundé -- life is richer because of you. more

Dr. Harry Robinson:

Dr. Robinson brought the expressions of black artists to Fair Park in Dallas by heading the African-American Museum, which opened in 1984.

He continues to live in Dallas, and has served as president of the Association of African-American Museums and the African-American Library Association.

Here's to you, Dr. Harry Robinson -- life is richer because of you. more

Dean Hill:

Hill is the director of the Townview "Big D" Band, recognized as one of the best show bands in the nation. Over 175 students perform year round and receive top ratings in district and state competitions.

Under Hill's leadership, the band has performed in several bowl games and most recently made music during President Obama's second inauguration ceremonies.

Here's to you, Dean Hill -- life is richer because of you. more

Jean Lacy:

Lacy, an artist and arts administrator, has worked to inspire the study of African-American history and art.

She served as director of the Dallas school district's African-American Cultural Heritage Center, and her own works connect images of African antiquity with depictions of modern urban life, drawing parallels for people of African descent.

Here's to you, Jean Lacy -- life is richer because of you. more

Annette Lawrence:

Lawrence is a professor of drawing and painting at U-N-T in Denton, and also has exhibited original works in museums across the country.

Her sculpture of stranded cable, called "Coin Toss," delights the countless numbers of people who've seen it as it stretches across 45 feet of an entry to Cowboy Stadium.

Here's to you, Annette Lawrence -- life is richer because of you more

Wendell Sneed:

A master drummer, Sneed played in the Dallas funk band, The Soul Seven, and now hosts "Jazz in the Atrium" on Thursday nights at the Dallas Museum of Art.

Otherwise, Sneed is known for providing the beat for artists Wilson Pickett, Etta James and the Chi-Lites on their national tours.

Here's to you, Wendell Sneed -- life is richer because of you.

Regina Taylor:

Taylor, an actress, won her earliest roles in two made-for-TV films while she was still a student at SMU.

Later, she won awards – including a Golden Globe – for her part on the TV series, "I'll Fly Away."

Recently, Taylor has turned to playwriting, and her trilogy, "The Trinity River Plays," was co-produced by the Goodman Theater of Chicago and Dallas Theater Center.

Here's to you, Regina Taylor -- life is richer because of you. more

Ann Williams:

For more than 35 years, the Dallas Black Dance Theater has been in step with Williams at the helm. The choreographer transformed the one-time community troupe into a fully-professional dance company.

She's been honored at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as a Master of African-American Choreography.

Williams holds a master's degree in dance from Texas Women's University, and was awarded two honorary doctorates.

Here's to you, Ann Williams -- life is richer because of you. more

Jade Simmons:

A classical pianist, Simmons was the face of the 2009 Cliburn piano competition, hosting webcasts of the Fort Worth event seen around the world.

Her face helped bring her to the finals of the 2000 Miss America pageant. She continues to pursue a successful career in music and returns to the Cliburn competition this year as host on the internet.

Here's to you, Jade Simmons -- life is richer because of you. more

Richmond Punch:

The violinist, a Juilliard graduate, now heads his own company -- based in Dallas -- that provides music for special events.

Playing both jazz and classical styles, Punch has made several tours across the U.S. and is now focused on international pursuits.

He also gives back to the community by serving as artistic director of the Dallas Uptown Youth Orchestra

Here's to you, Richmond Punch -- life is richer because of you. more

Erykah Badu:

The Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter got her start in Dallas, appearing at the age of four with the Dallas Theater Center.

It wasn't long after she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School that her music career took off.

She's also given back to her community by teaching children at the South Dallas Cultural Center.

Here's to you, Erykah Badu -- life is richer because of you. more

Vicki Meek:

Ms. Meek received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tyler School of Fine Arts in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania and her Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In addition to her training in fine arts, Ms. Meek did Post Graduate work in Art History at Queens College in New York.

Ms. Meek's work is included in numerous private collections and part of the public collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Norwalk Community College in Norwalk, Connecticut, and the African-American Museum in Dallas.

Here's to you, Vicki Meek -- life is richer because of you. more