Community Engagement

Community engagement is critical in building strong, thriving, and equitable communities. We value the diversity of our region and are working together to create strategic partnerships with community leaders, businesses, and nonprofit organizations focused on meeting the current and future needs of our residents. Together we can deliver meaningful investment and a shared vision for economic growth and stability.

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AREAS OF FOCUS

Convene: Bring together the voices and perspectives of those closest to the problems we are working to address. The goal is to listen and support engagement across diverse communities that provide insight into developments and initiatives impacting our region.

Inform: Promote growth and economic development within the region – specifically Southern Dallas County – and highlight the business community and the DRC’s work in Diversity Equity & Inclusion.

Collaborate: Align with businesses, community stakeholders, and government to partner on projects that respond to community-driven issues and improve the quality of life for all.

2020 - 2021 Community Partners

As a part of our focus on inclusive economic development, the Dallas Regional Chamber gave a one-time donation to ten Southern Dallas non-profits and initiatives. These projects identified by the DRC are community-led, and will have a significant impact on economic development and the associated quality of life of the people living there. These gifts align with a key mission of the DRC’s DEI Sub-council on Community Investment in Underserved Areas: to focus our work in Southern Dallas County. All projects identified for a gift contain identifiable goals and metrics and will continue to engage with DRC staff throughout the year.

The following is a list of nonprofit organizations and projects the DRC will support during the 2020-21 year.

Inclusive Communities Project

The Inclusive Communities Project is a nonprofit organization that works for the creation and maintenance of thriving racially and economically inclusive communities, and the expansion of fair and affordable housing opportunities for low-income families. Learn more.

The Healthy Food Dallas Initiative’s Community-Based Solutions Program

The Health Food Dallas Initiative’s Community-Based Solutions Program is a financing program supported by the Dallas Development Fund to increase the number of non-traditional food access points including corner stores and other fresh food options in low-income, underserved communities across Dallas. Learn more.

Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic

Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic is operating in two of the Dallas zip codes most at-risk for COVID-19. The clinic has served the Dallas community for 50 years! In 1972, the clinic operated from a portable building in impoverished West Dallas. From the West Dallas clinic campus, 30 clinicians provide 80,000 patient visits each year for 29,000 patients of all ages. Learn more.

Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation

Southern Gateway Public Park is a public/private project between the City of Dallas, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Texas Department of Transportation, and the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation. The Foundation is tasked with the design, construction, and future operations of the Southern Gateway Park. Learn more.

The University of Texas at Arlington Design Justice Initiative at Joppa

The University of Texas at Arlington, along with the Design Justice Initiative, will work closely with the South-Central Civic League in the research, planning, engagement, and implementation of art installations, design-build projects, and research studios that bring students, faculty, and community members together. Joppa is one of the few remaining Freedman’s towns in the nation. Learn more.

For Oak Cliff

For Oak Cliff is a culturally responsive organization serving the South Oak Cliff community. Education, advocacy, community building and arts are the categories used to develop various programs with our community. Learn more.

Project Still I Rise Inc.

Project Still I Rise is a community-based nonprofit organization founded in 2002. The mission of the agency is to empower today’s youth for tomorrow’s opportunities through academic enrichment, mentoring, and leadership development programming. PSIR’s headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas. Learn more.

The Puede Network Scholars Program

The Puede Network Scholars Program focuses on building an ecosystem that convenes and supports students, educators, and parents in an effort to transform students into scholars and scholars into community leaders. Learn more.

Tenth Street Residential Organization

Tenth Street is the most intact Freedman’s Town on the national register; a presently inhabited residential neighborhood with original structures. Learn more.

The Concilio

The Conilio works to build strong communities by unlocking opportunities for Latino families. Learn more.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Stay connected to the Dallas Region community through events and learning opportunities.

      • September 30-October 25 | The Heart of Teaching Gallery Exhibition (Fair Park)
            • “The Heart of Teaching is a celebration and recognition of Dallas ISD art teachers and in partnership with Dallas ISD and Dallas Summer Musicals. This juried art exhibition of 75+ pieces will be open for viewing at the Music Hall at Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas and will be a highly visible opportunity for our teachers’ talents to be showcased.”
      • October 1 | October Technical Assistance Sessions
            • Part of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s COVID-19 Small Business Support Program
      • October 2 | Health and Wellness Open House (Lancaster)
            • “Health and Wellness Panel, vender expo, fitness demos and more!”
      • October 5 | NAACP Meeting
            • “Constitutional issues forums, Community Policing, Know your history, Local partners”
      • October 9 | Operation: Clean Duncanville
      • October 12 | How To Start A Small Business
            • “This class from the North Texas Small Business Development Center is a comprehensive overview of the different funding options available for your small business and the qualifications for each. This class will cover sources of funding, lender requirements and other funding considerations.”
      • October 12 | DBCC Power Breakfast presented by JP Morgan Chase
            • “A fast-paced networking and educational event, hosted the second Tuesday of every month* by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce. Each breakfast will feature industry professionals sharing information on partnerships, opportunities, and resources in their respective scope of business. The POWER Breakfast was created to foster new relationships between local businesses and large corporations and to engage current and potential chamber members through exposure to opportunity driven information.”
      • October 14 | State of the City (Cedar Hill)
            • “Join Mayor Stephen Mason for his second State of the City Address on Thursday, October 14 at the Alan E. Sims Recreation Center. The mayor will highlight our city’s continued resilience in light of the challenges of the last year and update the community on his strategic priorities while outlining ways we can work together as a community to protect and enhance the Cedar Hill we know and love.”
      • October 18 | Keep Duncanville Beautiful Board Meeting
      • October 23 | DEA Drug Take Back
      • October 26 | Together We Serve: Veterans and First Responders Benefits and Resource Fair
            • “The Dallas Police Department in partnership with the Texas Veterans Land Board, VA North Texas Health Care System, and Dallas County Veterans Services is inviting all Military Veterans, First Responders, Active Military Servicemembers, and Spouses to a one-day Benefits & Resource Fair. The Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field is hosting this event and the following groups will be presenting in the Hamilton Family Auditorium and possibly provide face-to-face discussions in the Mezzanine area.”

CONTACT US

Have a question or need help? The DRC’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team is here to assist as you and your company navigate DEI and community engagement conversations in the Dallas Region.

CONTACT

DRC IN THE COMMUNITY


The DRC is proud to display the digital Be In Good Company Seal of Excellence for exemplary service to the Dallas Region community by meeting the Be In Good Company Pillars of Excellence: Thriving Teams, Thriving Culture, and Thriving Future.

Learn more and join the movement at CFTexas.org/BeInGoodCompany.