For 45 years, one nonprofit organization has quietly but consistently invested in the future of its community. What first began as a commitment to create a space for people of color in education and in the business sector in the 1980s has grown into a legacy of supporting education, the community, and cultural enrichment. The Plano Community Forum, also called the Forum, awarded its first scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to Bishop College in 1981. Since then, it has awarded over $366,000 in scholarships to 360 students graduating from Plano public schools.
Each year, the Forum impacts the lives of amazing graduating seniors who all have a common goal of obtaining their degree to pursue dreams that will one day become realities. Many of the scholarship recipients are students who distinguished themselves through academic excellence, leadership, character, and involvement beyond the classroom. However, that is not every student’s story. Some recipients worked while attending school to help support their families, so a scholarship isn’t just a means to an education, but also a journey to a better life.
Over the past forty years, the Forum has established a few core community celebrations that take place in Plano and Collin County, including the first MLK parade and MLK breakfast. At the first breakfast, sausage biscuits donated by McDonald’s courtesy of Charles O’Reily were served. The event was well received and grew beyond the Forum’s capacity. It is now called the MLK Power Leadership Breakfast and is hosted by Collin College; it includes a delicious breakfast menu and raises money for scholarships. The Forum also established a Sunday night program to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. The program is still hosted by the Forum and brings together churches, leaders, and other community organizations across cultural lines to honor the past and commit to a unified future. This program is now sponsored in part by the City of Plano.
These little stones are part of the Forum’s footprint in the community and its mission. Whether offering a scholarship bootcamp for students and their parents to fund their education, hosting health and domestic violence forums, or donating coats to the Plano Police Association Christmas Cops, the Forum’s mission is to connect with the needs in the community.
The organization funds their mission through signature events like the annual scholarship and awards gala. This month, the Forum is hosting its 45th Annual Gala, “IGNITE: Lighting the Next Generation Forward,” on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilton Richardson. The evening will kick off with a VIP reception, followed by a full program during a three-course meal featuring garlic chicken or buttery salmon options, entertainment, raffles, a silent auction, and award presentations. Good food, great vibes, and plenty of fun await.
It is all about supporting the community where we live and love.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Visit www.PlanoCF.com to learn the myriad of ways you can support the Forum’s mission