PRESS CONTACT: John McGill Black Tie Dinner PR Black Tie Dinner Unveils Program Details for 2016 Dinner The 35th Annual Dinner Announces Deborah Cox as Featured Entertainer, Dr. Steven Pounders as Kuchling Humanitarian Award Recipient June 24, 2016 (DALLAS) – On Thursday evening at its annual Sneak Peek event, Black Tie Dinner – the nation’s largest LGBT fundraising dinner – revealed two major additions to the program of its 2016 dinner. This year’s featured entertainer will be multi- platinum recording artist and actress Deborah Cox presented by Dallas Summer Musicals and Performing Arts Fort Worth/Bass Performance Hall. In addition, Black Tie Dinner will be presenting the annual Kuchling Humanitarian Award to Dr. Steven Pounders for his positive impact on Dallas’ LGBT community. Cox has recorded six award-winning and critically-acclaimed albums, and has an impressive list of #1 Billboard hits, including the double platinum “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here” which held the record for being the longest running #1 R&B Single for 14 consecutive weeks. It was recently announced that Cox will star in the national Broadway tour of THE BODYGUARD, based on the smash hit movie. Dallas-Fort Worth will have the chance to see Cox play the role of Rachel Marron when the show appears at Dallas Summer Musicals (July 18-30, 2017) and Bass Performance Hall (August 1-6, 2017). Cox has been recognized for her longstanding commitment to the LGBT community. In January 2015, she received the Out Music Pillar Award. In 2014, she received the California State Senate Award and in 2007, she received The Civil Rights Award from the New York Senate for her efforts in the fight for Human Rights and Equality. She was honored by The Harvey Milk Foundation at the 2015 Diversity Honors for her efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the LGBT community. And just recently, on June 12, 2016, she was given the Liberty Bell and Proclamation in Philadelphia by Mayor James Kenney to proclaim June 12 as LGBTQ Philadelphia Pride Parade and Festival Day. "We are thrilled to welcome Grammy Award-nominated and multi-platinum R&B artist and film, TV and stage actress Deborah Cox to the Black Tie Dinner stage this year,” said Mitzi Lemons, 2016 Black Tie Dinner Co-Chair. “Throughout her successful career, Deborah has been a major supporter of the LGBT community, and we can't wait to share her powerful voice with our community." Black Tie Dinner will also be recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Dr. Steven Pounders by presenting him with the Kuchling Humanitarian Award. For more than 25 BLACK TIE DINNER, INC. 3824 CEDAR SPRINGS, #335 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972 -865-2239 EXT. 29 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG years, Pounders has served the LGBT community with compassion and dignity through his medical practice, which began at a time when HIV and AIDS were sweeping through the community with devastating impacts. Beyond his practice, Pounders volunteers as the medical director for Resource Center’s Nelson-Tebedo Clinic, which provides free medical care to those in need in the LGBT community. “Upon receiving the call, I felt humbled to be included on a list loaded with champions of social change and equality for the LGBT community,” said Dr. Pounders. “My activism began in 1981 caring for and treating patients with the disease we came to know as HIV and AIDS at UTMB Galveston. While I’m very proud of our advancements in medical, legal and civil rights, I realize there is much work ahead.” "Dr. Steven Pounders has spent decades supporting the LGBT community in Dallas, devoting his time and energy to myriad organizations and impacting thousands of lives,” said Nathan Robbins, 2016 Black Tie Dinner Co-Chair. “As we celebrate our 35th year, Dr. Pounders is an excellent representation of a community leader and an extremely deserving recipient of the Kuchling Humanitarian Award." Black Tie Dinner will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. A full video announcement of this year’s BELIEVE theme, which emphasizes how progress and equality are fueled by believing in hope, optimism, courage and much more, can be found here. For additional information about the Dinner, visit blacktie.org. Raffle tickets and sponsorship tables are currently being sold at blacktie.org. About Black Tie Dinner Black Tie Dinner is a non-profit organization that raises funds for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) supportive organizations serving North Texas through a premier event of empowerment, education and entertainment that has grown into the nation's largest LGBT fundraising dinner since its inception in 1982. The first dinner produced a $6,000 donation to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and has since raised over $20 million for national and local beneficiaries. Black Tie Dinner continues to be the most successful dinner in the country supporting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and has the distinction of being the only dinner also benefiting local beneficiaries. The event has headlined local and national celebrities and leaders such as Marlee Matlin, Maya Angelou, Geena Davis, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Gavin Newsom, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. In addition to live entertainment and a keynote address, Black Tie Dinner honors outstanding service to the LGBT community with the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award, the Black Tie Dinner Media Award and the Kuchling Humanitarian Award. Recipients have included Elizabeth Birch, Sharon Stone, Judy Shepard, Alan Cumming, Showtime Networks/Robert Greenblatt, Bishop V. Gene Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Logo Network/Brian Graden, Chely Wright, American Airlines, Chaz Bono, JCPenney and Scouting For All founder Zach Wahl. For more information about Black Tie Dinner or this year’s event, visit blacktie.org or call 972- 865-2239, ext. 29. BLACK TIE DINNER, INC. 3824 CEDAR SPRINGS, #335 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972 -865-2239 EXT. 29 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG ### BLACK TIE DINNER, INC. 3824 CEDAR SPRINGS, #335 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972 -865-2239 EXT. 29 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG .