2025 Shades of Success Awards Gala
Schedule
Sat, 04 Oct, 2025 at 06:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Traphene Hickman Library | Cedar Hill, TX

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.shadessuccess.org
Date: April 14, 2025
Shades of Success Announces 11th Annual Awards Gala Celebrating Rebirth, Resilience, and Remarkable Community Leaders
Dallas, TX – Shades of Success, the empowering nonprofit organization founded in 2014 by visionary Karen Michelle and later joined by business partner Meko Krout, proudly announces its 11th Annual Awards Gala, set to take place on October 4, 2025, at the State-of-the-Art Traphene Hickman Library-Cedar Hill. This year’s gala theme, “The Rebirth: A Celebration of Perseverance,” honors not only the legacy of the organization but also the unwavering spirit of individuals who have overcome life’s most difficult challenges to lead and serve their communities.
Since its inaugural year, Shades of Success has recognized and celebrated women making a difference—leaders who were once unsung heroes and are now blazing trails across industries. Through the years, this annual celebration has become more than just a ceremony; it has evolved into a blueprint for others to start similar community-focused movements. The organization has served as a powerful platform for collaboration, inspiration, and transformation, connecting like-minded individuals dedicated to making lasting change.
While the journey hasn’t been without its hardships, particularly during the national pandemic, Shades of Success never lost sight of its purpose. After the 2018 gala—where the late, beloved Angie Stone graced the stage and shared a heartfelt moment with founder Karen Michelle about battling the rare disease sarcoidosis—the organization took a temporary pause. Yet, even in the face of adversity, Karen Michelle remained resilient. “The pandemic didn’t break us; it refined us,” she said. “It reminded us of the importance of perseverance, purpose, and people.”
This year, the gala returns with renewed energy, inviting guests to celebrate how far they’ve come and all they’ve overcome. Seven new honorees will be recognized for their outstanding impact on the community and the influence they’ve had on their peers. Attendees will also enjoy a luxurious three-course fine dining experience curated by acclaimed Chef Mechelle Collins, known for her cannabis-infused cuisine, collaborations with professional athletes, and appearances on Good Morning Texas and other national platforms.
A major highlight of the evening will be an on-stage live interview featuring founder Karen Michelle, moderated by the dynamic and relatable Vanna Collins. Both women are celebrated for their authenticity, humor, and influence. The night will close with a powerful and exclusive one-on-one final interview with Regina Kelly, the real-life subject behind the award-winning film American Violet. Regina's courageous story—being wrongfully arrested in a fabricated drug sting and fighting for justice—stands as a testimony of resilience, echoing the very heart of this year's gala theme.
This event marks a powerful rebirth not only for the organization but for everyone attending—an opportunity to reflect, reconnect, and reignite their purpose.
Tickets are available now at www.shadessuccess.org.;Sponsorship request: [email protected]
Join us as we honor the past, embrace the present, and celebrate the power of perseverance.
