About Us
More Than Culture. A Catalyst To Connection.
The TOC Foundation recognizes that culture can be a powerful gateway to services, community, and opportunity.
“The TOC Foundation empowers underserved and marginalized communities by using Ballroom culture, cultural events, and empowerment programming as a catalyst for community engagement and resource connection. We bridge the gap between communities and critical resources, including health and mental health services, housing support, employment opportunities, education, and leadership development, while creating affirming spaces where individuals can connect, grow, and thrive.”
Culture as a gateway to services
The TOC Foundation recognizes that culture can be a powerful gateway to services. Rather than expecting underserved communities to navigate complicated systems alone, the organization creates trusted and culturally responsive spaces where people can build relationships, receive education, develop leadership skills, express themselves, and connect with organizations capable of addressing additional needs.
Our work is community-centered and affirming — designed with and for Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+, transgender, and gender-expansive communities across Dallas and North Texas.
Culture
Using Ballroom and cultural programming to create engagement and belonging.
Connection
Connecting individuals with trusted community organizations and critical resources.
Empowerment
Developing knowledge, confidence, leadership, and self-advocacy.
Opportunity
Creating pathways toward education, employment, health, stability, and personal growth.
Our Approach
Ballroom As A Catalyst To Connection
Ballroom is more than competition and entertainment. For many Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+, transgender, gender-expansive, and other underserved individuals, Ballroom has historically created spaces for chosen family, creativity, mentorship, identity, resilience, and community.
The TOC Foundation builds upon that cultural foundation by creating programming that connects community engagement with:
- —Health education
- —Mental health resources
- —Housing resources
- —Employment resources
- —Educational opportunities
- —Leadership development
- —Mentorship
- —Community building
- —Cultural arts
- —Resource navigation
- —Personal development