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Every Last Word
Dallas Innovates’ signature series capturing what leaders across North Texas are saying — in their own words — about innovation, impact, and what’s next.
Sam's Club has donated $1.5 million to Dallas-based Big Thought. [Photo via Sam's Club]
The Last Word: On Sam’s Club Donating $1.5M to Dallas’ Big Thought to Advance Youth Career Opportunities
by David Seeley | Mar 6, 2025
Dallas-based Big Thought is one of two nonprofits who have each received a $1.5 million grant from Sam’s Club, part of a $3 million investment to help youth, aged 16-24, who are out of school and unemployed by providing them with meaningful career pathways.
by David Seeley |
Mar 5, 2025
Coppell-based Dave & Buster’s Entertainment is gearing up for spring break by dangling new enticements for visitors—including a new game that literally dangles guests up in the air. The all-new "Human Crane" experience is a life-sized version of the classic arcade claw machine—except here, guests act as the claw. Available in select Dave & Buster's locations nationwide, the Human Crane gently lowers guests into "a sea of oversized prizes," plus additional surprises throughout the year.
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by David Seeley |
Feb 27, 2025
The Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas has announced three "major new partnerships" it says will enhance its mission to empower people at all ages and circumstances with science-backed approaches for proactive brain health and fitness. The center will be working with 21 Impact Labs, Gomo Health, and Virginia High Performance to advance proactive brain health and fitness approaches.
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by Quincy Preston |
Feb 25, 2025
What do you get when you combine a giant smoke-ring cannon, a chocolate-covered bone-in ice cream, and an 80,000-square-foot facility that its CEO describes as a "sports lover's Barbie Dream House"? The answer: A tour of Dude Perfect's jaw-dropping new headquarters in Frisco at The Star Business Park.
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The striking architecture at The Holdsworth Center is by the architecture firm Lake|Flato. [Photo: Kristian Alveo]
The Last Word: Nominations Open for DFW Teachers to Experience ‘Teacher Retreat’ on Lake Austin
by David Seeley | Feb 18, 2025
Do you know a deserving teacher in Dallas-Fort Worth who could use a break? Here's your chance to help. The Holdsworth Center, a nonprofit that builds stronger leaders for Texas public schools, is inviting North Texans to nominate a teacher for a weekend retreat at the center’s campus on Lake Austin—"a one-of-a-kind place dedicated to the idea that public education matters."
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Feb 13, 2025
“Some moments are priceless.”
Fort Worth-based Bison Coolers
…. reflecting on the company’s Google Super Bowl ad appearance, via LinkedIn.
Despite the Cowboys missing out on Super Bowl LIX, a Fort Worth family business scored big during the championship game....
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by David Seeley |
Feb 12, 2025
Advanced Therapies Week 2025—a conference focused on the latest innovations in cell and gene therapies, regenerative medicine, and other biotechnologies—attracted industry leaders, researchers, and visionaries to Dallas' Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in late January. Organized by London-based Phacilitate, the 4-day conference acted as a "collaborative hub" showcasing the intersection of cutting-edge science, transformative healthcare solutions, and dynamic regional collaboration.
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by David Seeley |
Feb 11, 2025
Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science—an ideal day for a Dallas nonprofit to align with a Hollywood movie star to celebrate women in STEM in film and television. According to the Dallas Morning News, Dallas-based Lyda Hill Philanthropies is partnering with Reese Witherspoon’s media company Hello Sunshine to produce and distribute movies and TV shows that champion women's achievements in STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics).
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Photo: J. Michael Jones/iStock
The Last Word: CNN on Why Chili’s Has Become So Hot, It’s ‘On Fire’
by David Seeley | Feb 5, 2025
Dallas-based Brinker International saw its stock (NYSE: EAT) jump 16% last Wednesday. One big reason: Its Chili's Grill & Bar casual dining chain posted a Q4 sales jump of 31% for restaurants open at least a year. That marked the brand's third straight quarter of double-digit sales growth—with a 20% boost in foot traffic, not higher prices, contributed to the Q4 leap.
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Feb 4, 2025
Fort Worth has taken off like a rocket in population growth (it had the largest numeric population gain of any city in America in 2022). Now there's speculation that actual real-life rockets could be launched into space from near the Panther City, according to a 2025 Tarrant County Commercial Real Estate Forecast discussion between Corriente Advisors CEO Mark Hart and Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership.
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Jan 30, 2025
Stephen El Gidi tasted big-time competition in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics as a 100-meter butterfly specialist. But his competitive juices really got flowing when he tried to sell "cheesecakes on a stick" at Six Flags Over Texas and The State Fair of Texas. He found huge success in both historic venues—which led to him opening his own shop last month: Drizzle Cheesecakes at 310 W. Las Colinas Blvd. in Irving.
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by David Seeley |
Jan 29, 2025
Bowers—whose restaurant group operates popular local restaurants including Kenny's Wood Fired Grill, Kenny’s Burger Joint, Kenny’s Italian Kitchen, and Kenny's Authentic East Coast Pizza—took off his chef's hat during the pandemic and began creating art. On Saturday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., he'll be hosting a benefit art show with 100% of the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. {Photo: DHHRM]
The Last Word: On the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum Honoring Holocaust Remembrance Day
by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report | Jan 23, 2025
This coming Monday, Jan. 27, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, also recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In the run-up to this global event, the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is opening up its doors for free to students this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25 and 26.
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by David Seeley |
Jan 22, 2025
Since 2013, Dallas-based Bedford Lodging has built hotels across the U.S. that look like, well, hotels—including The Hoffman Hotel in Basalt, Colorado, an AC Marriott in Santa Rosa, California, and a Fairfield Inn & Suites in El Paso, among numerous others. But one being built now in Fort Worth is the first to feature a fire pole.
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by Quincy Preston |
Jan 21, 2025
The signature Jam Vino gourmet wine-infused jam created by Keller-based Chef Lorius was one 92 brands to receive a Golden Ticket during the annual Walmart Open Call. Available online now at Walmart.com, it'll reach the discount giant's shelves in 2025. "Jam Vino combines the heart of the South with the elegance of wine country, and our partnership with Walmart allows us to fulfill our mission of providing Everyday Luxury for Everyday People," Chef Lorious (AKA Lori Rogers) said in a statement.
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by David Seeley |
Jan 16, 2025
At the University of North Texas' Willis Library in Denton, you can find lots of books. But something else is getting checked out: The Spark, one of three makerspaces operated by the university. Open to all UNT students, faculty, and staff, The Spark offers a long list of high-tech tools that can be accessed after training—including 3D printers, laser cutters, a computer numerical control mill, sewing and embroidery machines, tools for science and pottery projects, and more. Audio-visual gear and power tools at The Spark can be borrowed as well.
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