The Cotillion Idlewild Club of Dallas Hosts their 100th Debutante Ball
Dallas, TX -The Cotillion Idlewild Club presents five African-American Women to society during their Centennial Ball Season. After a hiatus due to covid, the club members reconvened and voted to move forward with their annual debutante ball. Their signature event was held at the Renaissance Hotel led by President Jewel Hale Jr. of Dallas, TX . The Club Members were excited to resurrect the ball in centennial fashion.
Brief History:
During the summer of 1919, a group of committed business and professional men in the city of Dallas, TX formed an organization named ” The Young Men’s Business League.” The first president elected was M.S. Stephens, a graduate of Tuskegee Institute. These gentlemen reached out into the Dallas community to inspire, motivate, and enhance the leadership potential of young Negro (African-American) men who aspired to enter the business world.
Organized in 1921 at the Idlewild Social Club, the club later renamed itself to distinguish itself from the white club of the same name. The purpose of this organization was to present to Dallas society the epitome of African-American womanhood.
Past Publicized events: The most cherished event of the organization during the 30’s was the debutante ball of 1937. Life Magazine, a national publication, covered the ball with a large staff of reporters and photographers. This affair was printed in Life Magazine on December 6, 1938, Vol 3, No. 23, p. 88 with the caption ” Life Goes to a Party”.
Quote from The President:
After a five year hiatus due to club restructure and the COVID 19 pandemic, the members of the Cotillion Idlewild Club agreed that we should celebrate our centennial year of existence in grand fashion by hosting our Annual Debutante Ball. As many of our young ladies have strong ties to the Cotillion Idlewild Club with rich legacies of presenting debutantes we were excited to provide this opportunity to them and continue the club’s history. It has been a phenomenal year for our organization and the future looks bright for our rich tradition to continue.
Jewel Hale, Jr. – Cotillion Idlewild Club President
100th Debutante Coterie:
Khloi Charles, Marley Frazier, Opal McElroy, Carrington Whigham and Camille Wilson
Escorts:
Paul Fadel Jr., Andrew Brown, Andrew Whigham IV, Jalen McClees, Jaylon Briscoe
Legacy Debutante Khloi Charles-Currently a Junior at Tarleton State University located in Stephenville, TX studying as a Business Major with a minor in marketing. Her goal is to continue her family’s legacy of entrepreneurship in the business of beauty. Her escort is Paul Fadel Jr. of Mansfield, TX a student at Simmons University and avid soccer player.
Debutante Marley Frazier-Currently a sophomore attending Spelman College of Atlanta, GA majoring in Psychology with aims of becoming a Physician’s Assistant. Her escort for the evening is Andrew Brown a sophomore attending Morehouse College.
Legacy Debutante Opal McElroy-A graduate of the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, CA earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Biomedical Therapeutics. Her goal is to become an Obstetrics/Gynecologist with focus on serving African American Women. Her escort is Andrew Whigham IV, a graduate of the University of Miami currently completing his 2nd master’s degree in financial engineering at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Debutante: Carrington Whigham-A graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and currently enrolled in a Dual Degree Program studying at the London School of Economics in London, England and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Her aspirations are to become an executive at a major media company. Her escort if Jalen McClees, a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University as a Business Major.
Legacy Debutante Camille Wilson- A graduate of American University in Washington, DC., majoring in Anthropology with a minor in International Service. With a passion for service, she aims to build her career in Disaster Anthropology and find better ways to implement relief systems. Her escort is D. Jaylon Briscoe a University of Texas Graduate who is currently enrolled in a Coastal Flight Training Program.
