On May 1^st, SPARK! Dallas celebrated its 10^th anniversary with a fundraiser, SPARKtacular, at Leigh and Bryce Williams’ home. More than 160 guests attended, bid on silent auction items, and enjoyed appetizers and beverages. Guitarist Matt Brooks played current and favorite hits.

It was a family affair for Honorary Chair Sarah Losinger whose children and spouses attended. At one creative station, attendees had their individual photos taken. Then, they matched them up with their birthday and colors to be added to an original artwork collage created for the event.

Event Co-Chairs were Nell and Shelby Bush & Carol and Sam Dalton.

Meg Bittner, SPARK! Dallas executive director, thanked everyone for coming. “There are two questions I want to answer for you. First WHY—why we are here. We raise money for scholarships for free or discounted rates to help children take field trips to learn about creativity seeing over 18,000 children a year. Maybe we find that one Picasso in the group. The second is HOW. You are the how to continue the creative process by your gifts. Thank you for helping us create that ‘spark’ in children.”

Nell Bush added, “We applaud the work of SPARK! Dallas and the difference it’s making in the lives of our children.”

Carol Dalton encouraged people, “Take a minute and bid on the fabulous items, such as original artwork and more, or make a donation.”

To learn more about supporting the organization, visit https://sparkdallas.org/.

About SPARK! Dallas: A nonprofit founded in 2010, SPARK! Dallas provides children from second grade to high school with a fully immersive creative environment with hands-on learning that develops their self-definition as creative individuals. Through an endless roster of workshops and pop-up activities, students exercise their creativity and learn from creative experts, innovators, and artists. The organization’s vision is to help students acquire creative skills to excel in school and compete in the workforce. SPARK! also hosts interactive camps, field trips and birthday parties. SPARK! is located in the historic South Side of Lamar building at 1409 Botham Jean Blvd, Ste 004, Dallas, Texas 75215. For more information, visit https://sparkdallas.org/ or call 214.421.7727.

New Friends New Life (NFNL) has appointed Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN, FAAN, as the nonprofit’s new board chair for a two-year term. Dr. Edmonson succeeds Jane A. Rose who has served in this role since 2023. A healthcare executive, registered nurse, and former chief nursing and clinical officer with over three decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Edmonson has been an active supporter, advocate, and board member of NFNL. The mission of NFNL is to restore and empower trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drive awareness of the issue and its prevalence. 

“I am honored and humbled to serve as the chair of the NFNL Board and to support the nonprofit’s incredible CEO, Bianca Davis, as well as the phenomenal team in the impactful work they do every day,” said Cole Edmonson. “Their trauma-informed care model with critical wraparound services provide our members with the innovative, supportive, caring, and transformative services needed to change the paradigm from surviving to thriving.”

NFNL also announces the induction of five new board members: Deondriea Cantrice, Lynn Dowdle, Lonnie Falgout, Tracey Nash-Huntley, (returning), and Beth Thoele. Tiffany Odum, Junior League of Dallas project chair, has also joined the board for a one-year term.

Additionally, Amanda Muhammad has been named president of the NFNL Auxiliary Circle of Friends (COF) Board, where she will serve for two years. C. Davis Prescott will return for a second year as president of the NFNL Auxiliary Men’s Advocacy Group (MAG) Board. First on the agenda for COF President Muhammad is the spring fundraising event hosted by Circle of Friends – a Wine Tasting on May 6, while MAG President Prescott is preparing for the annual ManKINDness Breakfast on May 12.

Returning to the board are Adam Cannon, chief brand officer, Extended Stay America; Erin Nealy Cox, partner at Kirkland & Ellis and a former U.S. Department of Justice official; Laura Harris, journalist and co-anchor, NBC5; Fallyn Jones, senior vice president, Citigroup, Inc.; Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, FNAP, senior vice president, Customer Development Group, EssilorLuxottica; Camelia Lopez Shoemaker, prosecutor; Sarah K. Miller, philanthropist; Cheryl Monroe, vice president, controller and treasurer, Mary Kay Inc.; Laura Nieto, managing director of corporate responsibility, Southwest Airlines; Jane A. Rose, (immediate past chair), general counsel Irwin R. Rose & Co.; Elena Sacca Smith, group manager for the Office of Social Innovation, Toyota North America; and Jessica Turner Waugh, actor and community leader.

“While these dynamic leaders bring a broad range of expertise from across the Dallas community, their passion for our mission is singular,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, NFNL. “Because we know that the issue of human trafficking intersects across industries, the addition of board members from diverse professional and personal backgrounds will help prepare NFNL to continue delivering on its mission now, and into the future. I am excited and inspired to work alongside each of these committed and caring individuals.”

For more information, visit newfriendsnewlife.org or call (214) 965-0935.

NEW CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026

NEW BOARD MEMBERS 2025-2026

Dr. Cole Edmonson is a distinguished leader in healthcare with a career spanning over three decades, from clinical nursing to executive roles in hospitals and industry. He currently serves as the CEO of the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC), championing nursing leadership in governance and policy. A recognized expert in nursing leadership, Dr. Edmonson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, American College of Healthcare Executives. He is also an Executive Nurse Fellow Alum of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Edmonson earned his BSN and MSN from the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing and his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Texas Christian University. His career has been dedicated to advocating for vulnerable populations, advancing the profession of nursing, and fostering collaboration between prevention, acute care, and community health. Beyond his leadership roles, he has served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including the American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and as past chair of the National League for Nursing Education Foundation. He also served as past president of the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership and as a board member of the Texas Hospital Association. Dr. Edmonson is also dedicated to global health, serving as a supporter and service team leader with the International Esperanza Project (IEP) dedicated to strengthening communities in Latin America.

Deondriea Cantrice is a celebrated author, certified confidence coach, and an accomplished IT program and change management leader with over a decade of experience guiding global teams through transformation. A dedicated community servant, Cantrice has mentored youth and served on multiple boards at both state and local levels. She was named the 2024 Volunteer of the Year by Junior Achievement-Dallas. Her advocacy work took a powerful turn when human trafficking directly impacted her family, fueling her mission as a lived experience anti-trafficking activist. Today, she champions prevention, awareness, and survivor empowerment.

Lynn Dowdle, principal, Dowdle Real Estate, is a top producing real estate broker in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with extensive experience in hospitality site selection and land sales, restaurant, ground lease, build-to-suit and development opportunities. She is a past long-term member and past president of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and the 2023 Stemmons Service Award recipient. She has held board and leadership positions in the real estate field as well as in the community and received several honors from DCEO magazine, including being named to the Dallas 500. She is also the founder of If You Knew, raising money for clean water in Africa.

Lonnie Falgout, director, family security, at Palette Investment Company, is responsible for all security aspects surrounding an ultra-high net worth family. Prior to this role, he spent 17 years of decorated service as a special agent with the United States Secret Service, where he provided protection to seven former and current U.S. Presidents. He led high-profile investigations of our nation’s payment systems and provided technical forensic expertise in support of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Falgout earned a B.S. from the University of Holy Cross, New Orleans, and completed graduate level studies through the U.S. Department of Defense.

Tracey Nash-Huntley, community leader, is a former NFNL board chair and luncheon co-chair. She serves on the board of Goodwill Industries, Dallas and the advisory board of SMU’s Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility. She is a member of the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and is passionate about creating a pipeline to STEM education and careers for underrepresented girls. Nash-Huntley is a founding member of The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation, a Junior League of Dallas Sustainer, a Life Member of the Jesuit Women’s Auxiliary, and a member of The Girl Friends, Incorporated, Dallas Chapter. She received a B.S. in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology after spending her first two collegiate years at Southern Methodist University.

Tiffany Odum, Junior League of Dallas project chair, has also joined the board for a one-year term. She serves as a PM&R (physical medicine and rehabilitation) program manager for the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Beth Thoele is the immediate past president of the Callier Center for Communication Disorders Foundation. She also serves on the boards of Methodist Health System Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, the Senior Source and Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Foundation. She was previously chair for the Wilkinson Center Can Do Luncheon and a member of the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School Advisory Council.

NEW CHAIR, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AUXILIARY BOARD 2025-2026

Amanda Muhammad is an international mindfulness-based stress management & psychological safety consultant based in Dallas. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in business psychology and has a master’s in organizational leadership and a bachelor's in management and leadership. As a certified mindfulness trainer, compassion fatigue trainer, and yoga instructor, Muhammad combines academic expertise with accessible strategies to create healthier, more resilient workplaces. She is the founder of Mako Mindfulness, a boutique professional development company that helps schools and organizations enhance well-being, reduce burnout, and build cultures of psychological safety. She also serves on the mental health and wellness committee for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee for Prairie View A&M University. She recently completed a cohort with DCEO Emerging Women Leadership Network.

RETURNING CHAIR, MEN’S ADVOCACY GROUP BOARD 2025-2026

C. Davis Prescott, senior vice President, First Horizon Bank, recently celebrated 16 years with First Horizon, formerly IBERIABANK. A native of Baton Rouge, he began his career in credit and private client services and then pivoted to middle market commercial banking. He joined the Dallas market in 2021. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BBS in finance. He is a proud supporter of the Men’s Advocacy Group and other community organizations.

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About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. The agency’s vision is to create a community where women and girls can soar above the limits of their past and achieve their dreams. In 2024, NFNL served 342 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of sex trafficking through advocacy, legislative alignment and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, the YRC has served more than 550 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. In 2024, D CEO Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards honored NFNL as “Organization of the Year” (midsize category). For more information, visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

The runway came alive on the evening of Friday, May 2, at Texas Woman’s University’s annual Senior Fashion Showcase, held at the Blagg-Huey Library. Hosted by the Division of Fashion Design and Merchandising, the event spotlighted the creativity, collaboration, and talent of graduating students in both design and merchandising. The evening featured two major components: a curated pop-up retail market designed by merchandising students and a high-energy runway show presenting collections of original designs by senior design students.

This year’s theme, Chateau Bordeaux, was inspired by the long-awaited return of TWU Fashion’s study abroad experience in Paris. Thirty students will head to France this May, marking the program’s first international trip since the pandemic.

“It’s a class students can choose for an elective," said Anna Magie, PhD, professor and division head, fashion design and merchandising. "It's only a week long, but they see all of the fashion sites within a week. The Louvre has an exhibit this year they've never had before called Louvre Couture, an exhibit 200 years in the making.”

In addition to celebrating senior creativity, the event serves as a capstone for students across every year and discipline of the program. Seniors in design and merchandising presented their final collections and retail concepts, juniors managed event planning, sophomores operated the retail market, and first-year students provided volunteer support.

"All senior students in fashion design and merchandising showcased their work,” said Remy Odukomaiya, MFA, lecturer, fashion design and merchandising. “It's good for the department because it shows a more rounded view of what we do, that we don't only make garments. We are also in the business of fashion."

Magie added, “The showcase blends design and merchandising, working together as it will happen in industry. A lot of other schools just design in one program, merchandise in another, maybe even fashion marketing in another. But we're all intertwined here, so I think it helps students when they graduate.”

About TWU: Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery and health and wellbeing, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans and social mobility. In 2023, TWU publicly launched Dream Big, a $125 million fundraising effort to support programming, equipment, scholarships and faculty. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visit dreambig.twu.edu or twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook @TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram @txwomans, Twitter @txwomans, and LinkedIn @texaswomansuniversity. 

Murder on the Mississippi

Sally Witherspoon Mystery, #2

by

Erik S. Meyers

Hoping for a little R&R after the events of the previous six months, Sally Witherspoon finds herself smack in the middle of another puzzling murder.

Murder on the Mississippi is the second book in author Erik S. Meyers’s intriguing Sally Witherspoon Mystery series, and while Sally embarks on a luxury river cruise to relax, it turns out no one on board will be getting much rest. With a boatload of quirky potential murderers to consider and an interesting travel itinerary besides, readers will be tempted to stay up late turning pages to find out what is going to happen next to those aboard the River Queen. 

Sally Witherspoon, the bold and brash biker-bar owner, is due for a little R&R on this high-end river cruise after the events of book one, and despite her good intentions, she’s dragged into this new murder case out of self-preservation. In this modern-day locked-room mystery, one of the few passengers and crew aboard the River Queen is a murderer. 

Sally is such a fun, engaging character; I felt like I was getting reacquainted with an old friend. Still, readers new to the series will easily be able to pick up her story in this standalone second book. Almost all of Sally’s fellow passengers have interesting international origins. One is a diplomat whose elite status will have an impact on the trajectory of the story. As a group, I thought the passengers were an argumentative lot, with a nasty or sarcastic remark or gesture always on the ready. I was glad to see the last of them and hope Sally doesn’t keep up with the few that she promised she would. 

The setting on the upscale River Queen cruise is a tantalizing one, and it had me googling Mississippi River excursions as a real-life vacation possibility. This particular cruise had a historical theme that took its participants to diverse, off-the-beaten-paths locations that hold tragic places in our nation’s history: a sad but unexpected highlight of the story. 

One murder follows another, as does plot twist after plot twist, and the truth seems more elusive than ever after the arrival of an FBI agent to take charge of the investigation. The resolution came as a complete surprise as the unusual aspects of the situation were finally revealed. 

With its likable main character, intriguing cruise theme, and intricate plot, I recommend MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI to mystery fans.

 I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

The Whisper Legacy

Pappa Legacy, #1

by

Tj O’Connor

Political intrigue, plot twists galore, and a PI who could certainly use a break.

The Whisper Legacy is the first book in author Tj O’Connor’s new political thriller Pappa Legacy series and features the aging but still canny and cunning private investigator and security consultant Marlowe S. Curran. With its non-stop action and intricate plot full of surprising twists and turns, I was compelled to keep reading page after page without stopping to find out what would happen next! No regrets! 

While resolving a computer hacking case using less than legal methods for his most lucrative client, Marlowe Curran’s landlady’s philandering husband and his current paramour are murdered during a tryst on the estate. Without a less criminal alibi to offer, Lowe becomes a suspect in their murders and must undertake clearing his own name. However, someone seems to be working against him every step of the way. 

Marlowe Curran, Lowe to his friends, is a complex character with a tough backstory, a humorous inner voice, and a soft spot for dogs. A smart, deadly operator, Lowe is best by a seemingly never-ending run of bad luck as he tries to fulfill his responsibilities to his confidential and well-heeled clients, including his landlady, Janey-Lynn Cantrell, whose cheating husband and his latest clandestine amour have just been found murdered in their love nest. 

Multiple storylines unfold through Lowe’s viewpoint and that of a political mover and shaker as the President of the United States narrows down his search for a replacement VP. While they appear unrelated, as the story fights its way to its exciting conclusion, the disparate storylines cleverly converge into one riveting whole. 

I recommend THE WHISPER LEGACY to readers of political thrillers and mysteries featuring private eyes. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.