“I probably recognized (stuttering) when I was 5 years old. I definitely got teased a lot. It made me not confident in school…I just want to children to know it is okay.”
-Shaquille O’Neal
Changing the World for People who Stutter
The Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research (Blank Center), is changing the world for people who stutter by empowering children, teens, and adults worldwide to stutter openly, speak confidently, communicate effectively, and advocate meaningfully so that stuttering never stops them from living their lives to the fullest.
“40 for Forty” is an opportunity to build awareness about stuttering and grow philanthropic support for the Blank Center’s mission of generating new knowledge, mentoring a global pipeline of expert clinicians and researchers, and ensuring that quality CARE (Communication, Advocacy, Resiliency, Education) is accessible to all persons who stutter worldwide.
Will you join us in helping more children, teens, and adults who stutter worldwide to “Dream. Speak. Live.”?
There are a number of ways to help:
About the Blank Center
Today, the Arthur M. Blank Center and the three respective branches, the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute, the Dealey Family Foundation Stuttering Clinic, and the Dr. Jennifer and Emanuel Bodner Developmental Stuttering Laboratory, rests on a foundation of "Dream, Speak, Live," with the evidence-based understanding that when individuals who stutter learn that communication is not and never should be defined or limited by fluency, they have the freedom to pursue their dreams, the courage to speak from their hearts, and the determination to live their lives to the fullest. The Blank Center was founded by Dr. Courtney Byrd who began building a stuttering program at The University of Texas at Austin in 2003.
With our flagship at UT Austin, a satellite center in Atlanta, Georgia, and virtual programming worldwide, the Blank Center offers daily CARE at no cost for persons who stutter of all ages, races, ethnicities, cultures, and languages. We also offer an annual intensive treatment program at no cost, "Camp Dream. Speak. Live.", which is held nationally and internationally in countries such as Ireland, Belgium, Malta, The Netherlands, and Pakistan. We have 31 locations confirmed for the years to come.
Our global team consists of volunteers, expert clinicians and researchers, purpose-driven staff members, and students who share a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of as many people as we can. Together, we strive to empower all individuals who stutter to Dream. Speak. Live.
Your support will enable Dr. Byrd and the Blank Center team to help more children, teens, and adults around the world who stutter to speak confidently, communicate effectively, and advocate meaningfully so that stuttering never stops them from living their lives to the fullest.
Learn more
If you would like to learn more about giving opportunities and ways to have an impact, please contact the Blank Center’s Director of Development, Laura McKnight, at laura.mcknight@austin.utexas.edu or (512) 784-1050.
Thank you to everyone for another amazing campaign! Below are some of the challenge winners for the second day of the campaign!
It’s Another Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Child Development Center San Jacinto
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Crew
3rd place: WINNER UT Child Development Center Comal
Hungry Bevo Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER UT Child Development Center San Jacinto
3rd place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
40 to the 40 Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
Final Countdown Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Liberal Arts Council
Longhorn Pride Social Media Challenge
1st Place: School of Nursing Area of Greatest Need $1,000 Prize
Runner Ups:
Texas Orange Jackets $250 Prize
Dell Medical School Scholarships $250 Prize
6,000 Milestone Award Winner- Texas Crew
7,000 Milestone Award Winner- Shakespeare at Winedale
8,244 Milestone Award Winner- Texas Women’s Club Lacrosse
What a day! We have a surprise tonight! Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. CST the top three colleges, schools, units, and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts will receive an additional reward.
1st Place: $1,500
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $250
Rally behind your favorite participating area of campus before 10 p.m!