Before Hoda Kotb was in North Texas for the Interfaith Family Luncheon in 2016, she had already had a slew of fans from her work on NBC’s “Today” with Kathy Lee Gifford. But following the luncheon, those who had been part of the fundraiser walked out claiming she was the best speaker to hit the area ever.
Now, nine years later, not only had Hoda’s popularity and successful rise through the ranks of celebrity taken place, but she had had breast cancer, gone through a divorce, adopted two daughters and walked away from co-hosting the show with Jenna Bush Hagar.
The question leading up to her return to the area was whether she could she live up to her reputation of being the best speaker keynoting the Community Partners of Dallas‘ 2025 Chick Lit Luncheon on Friday, March 28.
Even the most jaded doubting Thomases had to admit that the legend lived on as Hoda charmed and amazed one and all with her spontaneity and charm.
For those who had upgraded their tickets to be part of the VIP reception in the Wedgwood Room, there was an opportunity to see Hoda in action up close and personal. With that trademark huge smile, she greeted each person as if they were the one that Hoda had hoped would be there. It was bonding at its best for folks like Honorary Chair Kameron Westcott, Mary Bowman Campbell, Jimmy Heinpel, Greg Nieberding with mom Laverne Neiberding, Tanya Rice, Kristin Hallam, Dawn Greiner, Robbie Kruithoff, Ryan Ross, Maureen Redish, Gail Fischer, Lisa Ogle and Cindy Turner.
On spotting a guest with arms opened reaching out to her, Hoda seemed to almost explode at seeing them, without giving a hint that this was a first-time encounter.
On the other hand, Hoda immediately remembered having been blown away by Megan Conlon‘s stilettos during her visit for the Interfaith luncheon nine years ago.
But that’s so Hoda.
Another past connection update was seeing NBC5’s Laura Harris, who knew all too well Hoda’s charismatic aura. Sure, they had had previous encounters covering the 2021 and 2024 Olympics, but on this occasion Laura was introducing her husband Patrick Means to Hoda, who immediately gave him a welcome-to-the-family congratulatory hug.
When doors to the ballroom opened, the program got underway, first with Co-Chairs Alison Malone and Kelley Schadt welcoming the guests and recognizing the Tafel family (Lara and Robert Tafel and daughter Mimi Tafel) for once again being the presenting sponsor, then with the invocation provided by Rev. Elizabeth Moseley. Following a break for lunch, Community Partners of Dallas President/CEO Joanna Clarke presented the Paige McDaniel Partners For Children Award to Denita Neville and JW Washington on behalf of Toyota Motor North America.
Joanna then reported that 20,000 abused and neglected children have been served by CPD and that out of every dollar donated to CPD, 84 cents goes directly to changing children’s lives.
To emphasize the importance of helping children escaping such situations, Joanna had Alison return to the podium to talk about the loss of her son, Michael Malone, to cancer at the age of seven in 2012. Fostering provided a turn in the road. “Even though I was unable to save Michael the way I so desperately wanted to, maybe I could help some of these children.”
They ended up fostering four little girls, ages 10 weeks to 2 years. The “most difficult” was 2-year-old Peyton, who “came to us at 3 a.m. after Child Protective Services picked her up.” It seems that Peyton’s home life had been brutal, with parents who had become addicted to crystal meth and “had never spoken to their children in any kind of comprehensible language. So the children had never learned to talk.” The children had used utensils and had been eating all of their food out of dog bowls on the floor.
“Peyton had never worn diapers or slept in a bed.” Over time she learned to wear diapers, eat with a spoon and a fork, take baths and sleep through the night. Eventually a family was found that would take both Peyton and her two brothers, “which was inevitably better for them.”
In closing, Alison said, “Community Partners of Dallas provided everything Peyton needed when she was placed in our home. They were a godsend and because of my relationship with them, I was able to call and get advice about what I could do to help make Peyton’s life better during her time with us… All four of our foster children received clothing, shoes, formula, diapers, wipes, toys, stuffed animals, blankets and so many other supplies from CPD before being placed in our home. Community Partners of Dallas changes the lives of these abused an neglected children every day, and in my opinion, are doing the Lord’s work.”
Following a call for donations, Laura was joined by Hoda on stage for a chat. It was a bit like eavesdropping on two former college roommates with such highlights as:
- Upon leaving her job at “Today,” she adjusted to the mommy life in the burbs where she got a Toyota mini-van complete with “the button. You know, the button so doors open. I feel like a boss in it. It drives like a dream.” She also signed up for “SoulCycle class in my town, and everybody who goes to it. They call themselves the Roosters. In fact, one of the people gave me a Roosters bracelet, which I wear. So, I do that early morning spin. I’ve got my minivan and in the mornings I get to do something I’ve never done, which is get to take my kids (Haley Joy and Hope Catherine) to school. I’ve missed that for many, many years to do the most basic things, which is hold their hands, walk to school, kiss them goodbye. It’s like it’s so small, but it’s really to me… it’s everything. And it’s actually been life changing.
Haley Joy and Hope Catherine — When Hoda was in her 40s she was married and diagnosed with breast cancer. It taught her that your life has limits. “There’s a beginning and an end.” Due to the breast cancer, she was unable to have children. It wasn’t until a friend told her that she had never wanted to have children that Hoda amazed herself, saying that wasn’t her case. “I learned a big lesson that day. When you say the thing you want out loud even it it’s a whisper in the mirror, something happens.” Later that day she turned on the TV and learned that Sandra Bullock had adopted a little boy name Louis from New Orleans. It got in her blood that adoption might be just the thing for her. She asked her boyfriend [Joel Schiffman] to take his time to consider the idea of adoption. He didn’t hesitate. He was all on board. After filling out the paperwork, she received a text, “Call me” from the “Ashley Project.” Taking out a yellow pen, she looked at the clock and “wrote ’11:57.’ I took a deep breath and dialed the number. Ashley said two words to me. ‘She’s here.'” Two years later Hope joined Hoda and Haley.
- Viola Davis — Interviewing Viola Davis, Hoda had asked her about her childhood. The Academy Award winner said, “I was hungry. When you’re hungry there’s nothing else. You don’t think of shame. You don’t think of vision. You are hungry.” When kids would come over to her house and look in the refrigerator, they would ask if she was moving. The turning point for her was the day she turned on the TV and there was Cicely Tyson playing Jane Pittman and she decided, “That’s going to be me.” Hoda explained that kids like Viola and Tyler Perry, who had similar abusive childhoods, “have this thing where they sort of go into another world. The go somewhere else for their creativity. They can’t live where they’re living. It’s too scary. They go elsewhere in their brain.”
- What made her leave her job — It was at her 60th birthday party on the NBC Plaza that she realized she “was on top of the wave… This is the top.” A couple of weeks later she was interviewing an actor about whom there was Oscar buzz. She asked, what you do when the wave goes down. He told her that you paddle back out for the next one.
- Jenna Bush Hagar — Hoda pulled out her cellphone and FaceTimed the room of 1,100 with her former “Today” co-host Jenna Bush Hagar, who didn’t miss a beat. As Hoda held her phone up to her mic, Jenna was heard saying to the guests, “Thank you for welcoming my bestie to the best city!”
- Kathy Lee Gifford — Initially, she was apprehensive at the idea of working with Kathy Lee, who was known for not using cue cards or earpieces. As they were trying to “figure out if we were going to work together, she invited me to her house to meet her husband Frank Gifford and her kids.” Frank took her aside and told her that “our Sunday Night Football works because we trust each other. We have the highest ratings of any show ever in the history of the United States…. The reason it’s going to work is if you and Kathy trust each other. I don’t know you, but she is the most trustworthy person I’ve ever met and she’ll catch you if you fall. and you’ve got to make a commitment to catch her. Then it’ll work.” Hoda said, “Kathy Lee Gifford changed my life.”
- “Wednesdays” — Despite not having luck in FaceTiming with singer Walker Hayes, who co-wrote “Wednesdays” with her, she still delighted the crowd by singing along with the song on her phone.
- Lighting Round —
- What are you currently reading? Maria Shriver‘s “I’m Maria.”
- Favorite person who’s been on your “Making Space” podcast? Viola Davis
- What time does your internal clock wake you up? “4:30.”
- If you were stuck in an elevator with someone, who would it be? “Kelly Clarkson”
- What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? “I met your mom and I love her.”
For more looks of Hoda , Laura and their friends, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.