Austin Street Center has announced tennis legend, entrepreneur, and global equality advocate Venus Williams as the keynote speaker for the 26th annual Humble Beginnings Luncheon. The event will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 16, in the Chantilly Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole.
The event serves as a fundraiser and awareness initiative supporting Austin Street Center’s mission of helping end homelessness in North Texas. This year’s theme, “Unlocking Hope: Where Healing Has a Home,” will reflect that value.
The luncheon is chaired by Lindsay and George Billingsley as well as Connie and Nick Babikian, whose leadership will help unite the community together behind Austin Street Center’s mission and expand awareness around solutions to homelessness in Dallas.
“Venus Williams embodies the kind of resilience, leadership, and purpose-driven success that reflects our mission at Austin Street Center,” said Daniel Roby, Chief Executive Officer of Austin Street Center. “Her voice will help us elevate the urgency of homelessness in our community while inspiring action and hope.”
In 2025, Austin Street Center served 2,731 individuals in shelter and housing programs, providing overnight refuge to more than 4,000 people during extreme weather situations, and coordinating over 40,000 rides through its Connector transportation service. The organization also helped 640 people secure housing and 245 people secure employment.
This year, over 1,000 attendees are expected. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit https://austinstreet.org/event/humble-beginnings-luncheon/
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