Black Tie Dinner Has Selected Cece Cox for Award
The Resource Center CEO will receive the 2026 Visibility Award for her advocacy in Dallas.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in LGBTQand
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Black Tie Dinner has named Cece Cox as the recipient of its 2026 Visibility Award. Cox, who has led the Resource Center since 2010, will be honored for her leadership and public advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ Texans.
Why it matters
The award recognizes Cox for her dedication to ensuring LGBTQ+ residents have representation and resources in North Texas. Her tenure has seen significant growth in services for the community before her planned retirement in 2027.
Resource Center serves over 60,000 people annually and recently opened Oak Lawn Place, an 84-unit housing community. Since its inception in 1982, the Black Tie Dinner has distributed more than $33 million to support local organizations.
The players
Cece Cox
She is the longtime CEO of Resource Center who is credited with expanding services for North Texas residents.
Benito Skinner
He is a comedian and performer who has been named as the 2026 Black Tie Dinner Media Award recipient.
Resource Center
This Dallas-based organization provides essential services to the LGBTQ+ community and operates housing facilities.
Black Tie Dinner
It is a major annual fundraising event in Dallas that supports various organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community.
The details
The upcoming 45th Annual Black Tie Dinner will celebrate recipients including Cox and Media Award honoree Benito Skinner. The event serves as a critical fundraiser for groups supporting LGBTQ+ North Texans, providing the resources necessary for organizations to maintain community programs.
Timeline
The Black Tie Dinner was established in 1982.
Cece Cox received the Kuchling Humanitarian Award in 1999.
Cox began her tenure as CEO of Resource Center in 2010.
The Visibility Award winner was announced on October 5, 2026.
The 45th Annual Black Tie Dinner occurs on November 14, 2026.
Culture Shift
The recognition of long-term advocates reflects a broader societal trend of valuing sustained leadership within community-based organizations. This shift highlights how localized advocacy continues to mirror the historical legacy of the Black Tie Dinner in building community support.
Attendees and supporters can expect the 45th Annual Black Tie Dinner to take place on November 14, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. The event continues to be a primary vehicle for funding local services that impact the daily lives of 60,000 residents served by the Resource Center annually.
The takeaway
The selection of Cece Cox highlights the importance of institutional stability and experienced leadership in the non-profit sector. Her transition signals a period of change for major advocacy groups serving the Dallas area in the coming year.
Further reading
Learn more about the local community by visiting the LGBTQand section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dallas Voice.
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