SOLD OUT Dr. Opal Lee Centennial Birthday Gala: A Sneaker Soiree

This event is now sold out.

If you would like to make a contribution in lieu of a ticket purchase we gratefully welcome your support.

If you would like to be added to the waitlist should any tickets become available please contact our Executive Director, Reyne Telles, at execdir@tarrantdemocrats.org.

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We face an incredible crossroads that will dictate the future of our nation, our state, and our county: the 2026 November election. This election will define:

• The deliberate underfunding and destabilization of Texas public schools creating a hostile takeover of the FWISD by Texas Education Agency.
• Tarrant County jail deaths and the gross lack of accountability.  80 people have died in or shortly after Tarrant County Jail custody since 2017, prompting repeated calls for independent investigations.
• The health care costs that are pricing Texas families out of basic care
• The mid-decade redistricting widely criticized for undermining fair representation and disproportionately impacting communities of color which become in Tarrant County, engineered to lock in the current power structure
• The murder, illegal detention, and the deportation of Texas residents, including the erosion of due process
• An economy that has failed Texans and left us struggling to find the American dream.

And, every year we choose to honor Dr. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth, and generate support for the party in our annual Opal Lee Empowerment Luncheon.

This year, The Tarrant County Democratic Party presents: Dr. Opal Lee's Centennial Birthday Celebration, a Fundraiser for the Tarrant County Democratic Party.

On Saturday, September 12, 2026, TCDP will come together to raise funds for the critical 2026 midterm election. This is our moment to honor the legacy of a local hero who has shaped the nation toward a future defined by participation, fairness and hope.

The evening promises good food, exceptional energy and an outstanding lineup of speakers who will inspire the work ahead in 2026 as we look to lift Tarrant County and honor those who have come before us. Your participation is essential to making this effort - and this moment - a success.

Attire: Black Tie or Formal - with sneakers!

(Note: we like to dress up but we're also Democrats and we welcome all fashion choices - "Democrat formal" is completely fine. Come in what you're comfortable with!)

Meal type: self-serve buffet

Location: Fort Worth Museum of Science & History

1600 Gendy St, Fort Worth, Texas

Schedule:

4 p.m. Leadership Gathering with Opal* and family

4:30 p.m. VIP Cocktail Reception for VIP ticket holders

5 p.m. Doors open for dinner, guests find their seats and mingle

6:00 p.m. Program starts

• Honorary Co-Chairs: Congressman Marc Veasey & District Attorney Candidate Tiffany Burks 
• Guest Speakers: Attorney Lee Merritt, Tara Maldonado-Wilson, TCDP Vice Chair Patrice Jones, Lt. Gov. Candidate Hon. Vikki Goodwin
• Video Messages: President Bill Clinton, Vice President Kamala Harris, Hon. Stacey Abrams, Hon. Beto O'Rourke, U.S. Senate Candidate Hon. James Talarico
• Keynote Speaker: Congressional Candidate Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes
• Honorees: Judge Maryellen Hicks, Baker Funeral Home, Katherine O'Leary, Caroline Sherman

est. 7:30 p.m. Event closes

Sponsored Community Tickets: this event will feature tickets which can be sponsored by ticket buyers and will be given away to community members who represent the values and mission of TCDP and Dr. Opal Lee. These tickets will be given away at the discretion of TCDP and Dr. Opal Lee's family, and sponsored community seats will bear the name of their sponsor as a show of gratitude for this generosity and community investment.

Special sponsorship opportunities are available for community leaders, organizations, and businesses interested in making a meaningful impact. Sponsors may receive prominent recognition for supporting specific elements of the event, including the food, bar, entertainment, décor, and more.

This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to our community while helping us create a memorable and successful event. To learn more about available sponsorship opportunities, please contact TCDP Vice Chair Patrice Jones at vicechair@tarrantdemocrats.org.

Ticket Levels

Centennial Sponsor: $30,000

• Three (3) VIP tables: Your tickets for 30 guests include Leadership Gathering,* VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.
• Sponsored Community Tickets: Your name on 30 tickets to be donated as specified above. Sponsored tickets include VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.
• Eight (8) VIP tickets for the 2027 TCDP winter fundraiser
• Private Leadership Dinner at a time and place of your choosing with County Chair Allison Campolo, Vice Chair Patrice Jones, and Executive Director Reyne Telles
• Recognition in the TCDP newsletter leading up to the event
• Mention of the Sponsor from the stage during the event
• Mention of the Sponsor on all printed materials for the event (donations received prior to September 5th)
• Mention of the Sponsor by name on social media posts thanking donors

Legacy Champion: $20,000

• Two (2) VIP tables: Your tickets for 20 guests include Leadership Gathering,* VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.
• Sponsored Community Tickets: Your name on 20 tickets to be donated as specified above. Sponsored tickets include VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.
• Six (6) VIP tickets for the 2027 TCDP winter fundraiser
• Private Leadership Dinner at a time and place of your choosing with County Chair Allison Campolo, Vice Chair Patrice Jones, and Executive Director Reyne Telles
• Recognition in the TCDP newsletter leading up to the event
• Mention of the Sponsor from the stage during the event
• Mention of the Sponsor on all printed materials for the event (donations received prior to September 5th)
• Mention of the Sponsor by name on social media posts thanking donors

Visionary Patron: $10,000

• One (1) VIP table: Your tickets for 10 guests include Leadership Gathering,* VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.
• Sponsored Community Tickets: Your name on 10 tickets to be donated as specified above. Sponsored tickets include VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.
• Four (4) VIP tickets for the 2027 TCDP winter fundraiser
• Private Leadership Dinner at a time and place of your choosing with County Chair Allison Campolo, Vice Chair Patrice Jones, and Executive Director Reyne Telles
• Recognition in the TCDP newsletter leading up to the event
• Mention of the Sponsor from the stage during the event
• Mention of the Sponsor on all printed materials for the event (donations received prior to September 5th)
• Mention of the Sponsor by name on social media posts thanking donors

Civic Leader: $5,000

• One (1) VIP table: Your tickets for 10 guests include Leadership Gathering,* VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.
• Two (2) VIP tickets for the 2027 TCDP winter fundraiser
• Recognition in the TCDP newsletter leading up to the event
• Mention of the Sponsor from the stage during the event
• Mention of the Sponsor on all printed materials for the event (donations received prior to September 5th)
• Mention of the Sponsor by name on social media posts thanking donors

Community Partner: $2,000

• One (1) VIP table: Your tickets for 10 guests include VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.
• Recognition in the TCDP newsletter leading up to the event
• Mention of the Sponsor from the stage during the event
• Mention of the Sponsor on all printed materials for the event (donations received prior to September 5th)
• Mention of the Sponsor by name on social media posts thanking donors

Neighborhood Sustainer: $850

• Four (4) tickets including VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner
• Recognition in the TCDP newsletter leading up to the event
• Mention of the Sponsor on all printed materials for the event (donations received prior to September 5th)
• Mention of the Sponsor by name on social media posts thanking donors

Friend of the Cause: $450

• Two (2) tickets including VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner
• Recognition in the TCDP newsletter leading up to the event
• Mention of the Sponsor on all printed materials for the event (donations received prior to September 5th)
• Mention of the Sponsor by name on social media posts thanking donors

Regular VIP: $150

One ticket includes VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner.

Regular Dinner: $100

One ticket includes dinner.

Regular Young Dem: $75

For members of a Young Democrats chapter. One ticket includes dinner. Let us know which YD chapter you're with in the checkout information.

Sponsored Community Ticket: $75

Sponsored tickets will be donated to members of the community at the discretion of TCDP and Dr. Opal Lee's family. One ticket includes VIP Cocktail Reception and dinner. Your name will be listed as the sponsor.

*Subject to availability, health and well-being of our special guest, Dr. Opal Lee.