‘A refreshing force for good.’ How this group brings diverse cultures together in Southlake

In early 2019 Kush Rao had an idea. Why not create an organization that brings together people from all walks of life to forge a better path for everyone?

From this idea the Southlake Foundation was born in that same year by Rao and a few like-minded fellow citizens. The community-driven nonprofit organization serves the Southlake community through volunteerism, charitable activities and community partnerships.

“The mission of the Southlake Foundation is crucial for building a stronger and more vibrant community,” said Rao, the foundation president. “Through its support of local initiatives that promote wellness, education, and community building, the foundation has made a significant impact on the lives of those who reside in Southlake. Its commitment to philanthropy and civic responsibility is an inspiration to others, and it serves as a reminder of the power of giving back to the community.”

Being from India and growing up with numerous celebrations of enlightenment and unity, Rao wanted to share that with his neighbors after he moved to Southlake in 2015. He was also raised by a father who instilled in him early the importance of helping others and giving back to the community.

Among the significant community projects the foundation has undertaken are organizing events such as the United Color Run and Diwali Fest, which promote community engagement and cultural diversity, and Career Connection Day to help students discover a career path.

Appreciation lunches are served to numerous employees within the city, such as trash and recycling workers, postal workers, city of Southlake and public works employees — even the annual fireworks crew. Appreciation breakfasts are provided to Carroll school district employees, including teaching, non-teaching staff and the transportation department.

The foundation also conducts a candidate forum for the local elections.

“The families of the Southlake Foundation work tirelessly to improve our community and the lives of those around them,” Southlake Mayor John Huffman said. “As Mayor, I could not be prouder of their service to the Southlake community.”

New projects

A new initiative launched by the foundation is to raise awareness of the deadly diseases leukemia and lymphoma. The foundation is hosting a fundraiser on May 5 Friday at Marq in Southlake for the medical study for children affected by these diseases.

For its efforts, Rao said the foundation is a Visionary of the Year nominee in Tarrant County for 2023 by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“It’s very humbling when you know someone that has gone through a life-threatening disease like cancer. I know friends and family members who have gone through it personally and it brings a perspective,” Rao said.

“I was surprised to find that leukemia and lymphoma are the most common types of cancers among children. LLS, who leads this effort to bring awareness and funds for fighting cancer, was a natural fit for me and our nonprofit Southlake Foundation. I truly think it is a worthy and meaningful cause and we’re happy to be a small part of the solution.”

Rao said one of the most significant projects the foundation is working on is the Student Leadership Program. This program aims to inspire and empower young people to become leaders. It provides opportunities for students to participate in leadership training, community service projects, and mentorship programs to make a positive difference in the community.

It is open to students of all ages and Rao said it has already made a difference in the lives of many young people in Southlake.

Students volunteer several hours at Grace to help those in need of food, clothing and other vital necessities, along with helping at Oktoberfest and numerous local projects. Students also perform at senior living centers every quarter to entertain the residents.

“SFSLP can help to build community engagement and support by creating a positive impact on students who participate in the program,” Rao said. “By becoming mentors for younger students and influencing them in a positive manner, SFSLP participants can inspire others to become involved in Southlake Foundation programs and initiatives.”

Making an impact

In a short time the foundation has made a major impact in the community. It has been named Best Civic Organization of the Year in 2021 and Rao was named Citizen of the Year by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce in 2022.

Southlake Chamber President Mark Guilbert called the foundation “a wonderful organization that brings people from diverse backgrounds and cultures together in our community. They are a refreshing force for good.”

The Southlake Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and gets its funding through tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations.

They also hold some fundraising events for other organizations, with one of the most popular being the annual United We Run with Colors, which takes place every spring. This year’s is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Bicentennial Park.

This is an initiative to bring the community together by a 5K run/walk with music, food and color throws - volunteers literally toss bright colored powders in the air, adopted from the nation of India’s Holi Festival of Colors. The beneficiary of this event is the Carroll Education Foundation.

“The run is a fun and exciting way to raise money to fund teachers via CEF, while also promoting health and wellness in the community,” Rao said.

Another popular event is Diwali Fest, a cultural event that celebrates the Festival of Lights in India and promotes cultural understanding and diversity. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Rao brought this event to Southlake before the foundation was formed, starting with a small festival in his neighborhood shortly after his arrival and expanding to Town Square in 2018, setting the stage for it being an ongoing event.

This year’s Diwali Fest is set for Nov. 4.

“This event has become a significant part of Southlake’s cultural calendar and is always eagerly anticipated by residents,” Rao said. “Diwali Fest is our biggest event to showcase our vision to our community in and around Southlake.”