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SMU Dedman School of Law Associate Professor Natalie Nanasi served as the moderator during a wide-ranging discussion on domestic violence and social change at The Family Place’s 2024 Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon in October.

As part of the event, The Family Place honored teacher and civil rights activist — known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” — with the 2024 Texas Trailblazer Award recognizing those who have achieved remarkable success and opened doors of opportunity for countless others.

Professor Nanasi, who also serves as director of the Judge Elmo B. Hunter Legal Center for Victims of Crimes Against Women, centered the discussion with actor, author, and podcaster Justin Baldoni around preventing domestic violence and breaking these cycles in families. They also touched on redefining masculinity, which is the ongoing topic of Baldoni’s weekly podcast, “,” portions of which also have been turned into a book of the same name, “Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity.”

is the largest provider of family violence services in Texas, serving more than 44,000 people in 2023. Programs include a 24-hour hotline, three emergency shelters — including the state's only shelter for men and their children — a transitional housing program with 25 apartments, counseling centers, medical clinics, a dental clinic, a job readiness program, and legal services. All survivor services are free and provided in both Spanish and English.

Since 1996, the organization’s Texas Trailblazers luncheon has raised more than $5 million to support survivors of domestic violence.