Events

When Don McKneely started his first business diversity publication in 1988, he was seizing an opportunity. An entrepreneur in the community media space, he saw that the Texas business world didn’t have a publication about minority-owned businesses.

“I saw that there was a need to close that gap in terms of bringing together the women’s business community, the minority business community and the corporate and civic business communities,” he said.

The result was Minority Business News, a publication focused on diversity and inclusion that for its first four years covered developments involving both ethnic minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses. In 1992, as the women’s business community began to gain traction and wanted to pursue its destiny in the supplier diversity arena, McKneely rolled out Women’s Enterprise magazine.

The McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Artistic Director Jason Lim as the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra in May 2012 in Denton, Texas. The orchestra consists of professional classical musicians from the Dallas/Fort Worth area dedicated to building a strong community through music and the arts. 
Its successful inaugural performance in 2012 featured local soloists such as Christopher Deane, Professor of Percussion at the University of North Texas. Soon after, Artistic Director, Jason Lim, commissioned the world premiere of “Breathe” by Brad Robin. In 2019 the orchestra performed the US premier of Musica Con Cello, by Pavel Karmanov with Principal Cellist, Tess Crowther as soloist. The orchestra then embarked on innovative collaborations such as: staging a full ballet performance of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” with the Denton City Contemporary Ballet; the North Texas premiere performance of Igor Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” with ae:mp Amity Perry and Company; teaming with world renowned double bassist Jeff Bradetich to feature the Tango music of Astor Piazzolla; and a collaboration with legendary guitarist Andy Timmons. In 2018, the orchestra shared the stage with Grammy Award winning Polka band, Brave Combo! Today the McKinney Philharmonic has expanded its concert season, performing up to seven subscription concerts, which includes series that is innovative and diverse including Pops, Family, Chamber Music, Recital and Classical.  The programming of the McKinney Philharmonic has reached national recognition with Artistic Director, Jason Lim winning the The 2021 American Prize in Orchestral Programming / Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award—professional division. 

MCKINNEY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA - Home

Chief of Police, Joe Ellenburg
Joe Ellenburg joined the City of McKinney in November 1995.

Chief Ellenburg has 30 years of law enforcement experience, beginning his career in law enforcement in 1992 with the Collin County Sheriff's Office. In 1995, he was hired by the McKinney Police Department where he rose through the ranks working in a wide variety of divisions. He became Assistant Chief in 2013 and was promoted to Chief of Police on December 5, 2022.

Silver Linings is a non-profit corporation that provides sober living homes for women in North Central Dallas. The founders of Silver Linings believe that every woman needs a structured environment to start their recovery journey and to feel supported and encouraged along the way. We strive to provide a personalized and comforting experience on your journey from transforming to thriving! 

MCKINNEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is an independently funded and operated nonprofit organization dedicated to economic development.  It leads, directs, and coordinates the broad-based expansion of the city's business tax base, and promotes sustainable job growth, thereby continuously enhancing the citizens' quality of life in McKinney.

The Community Food Pantry of McKinney is a nonprofit outreach program providing food and other basic necessities to families who find themselves in crisis or are dealing with food insecurity. 

The McKinney Family YMCA was established in 1996. Today, members enjoy over 68 health and wellness classes that range from yoga, BARRE and Pilates, to Kickboxing, Body Pump, and Zumba. We offer classes at 5:30am, 8:30-12:30pm and 4:30-7:30pm so that members from the community of all ages can find a class that fits their schedule and fitness level.  We also offer personal training options for both individual and small group settings,  as well as a variety of family, teen and youth programs like Get Up and Go and Texas Youth and Government.  Our goal is to offer programs that enhance the overall well-being of our community, particularly for Health Seekers, those wishing to develop a healthy lifestyle.  Through the generous contributions of the community and members to our Annual Campaign, the McKinney Y is proud to be able to provide scholarships and financial assistance FOR ALL in our community.

Hugs Cafe has been in the making for more than 15 years and began as a simple passion for people. Our Founder, Ruth Thompson, discovered this passion in the early 2000’s while working with Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Parker, Colorado at New Day In-Home and Respite Care. This served as the foundation for Hugs Cafe and would ultimately lead to its formation in 2013.

Upon moving to Texas in 2004, Ruth combined her passions for people and food by teaching cooking classes to adults with special needs at Market Street in McKinney. For nearly ten years Ruth taught two classes per week, constantly striving to help develop new skills, become more independent and enhance their personal self-worth. After retiring from teaching, Ruth searched for new ways to enhance the lives of adults with special needs and has channeled her passion to making Hugs Cafe a reality.

Hugs Cafe | Non-profit Restaurant & Local Greenhouse | McKinney, TX

Julie Jones is a Dallas-based business protocol and etiquette expert, sought-after public speaker, corporate trainer, and educator. She is certified by the Protocol School of Washington®, a nationally accredited institution. Julie is a 15-year veteran in the field of education as well as an entrepreneur, building a plumbing company from the ground floor to selling it in 2021.

The Samaritan Inn has been serving the Collin County community since 1984. Since then, our services have made a positive impact in the North Texas area and in the lives of thousands of people experiencing homelessness.

The McKinney Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (MCPAAA) is a volunteer service organization whose members serve as ambassadors in the community for the McKinney Police Department.

https://www.facebook.com/p/La-Tiendita-100088374031317/

High school students will give speeches applying the Rotary Four Way Test to an important issue. Rotarian judges will select a winning student to represent the Rotary Club of McKinney in the District 5810 Competition. 

The Four Way Test of the things we think, say, or do: 

First: Is it the truth?
Second: Is it fair to all concerned?
Third: Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Fourth: Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Today we will be meeting at Baylor Scott & White hospital, not Rick's Chophouse!