Meet two outstanding leaders and public servants, Zarin Gracey and Erik Wilson, current and former Dallas City Council members, who have a shared vision to empower the communities they serve while creating equitable opportunities for the residents of Districts 3 and 8. Their personal journeys have inspired them to advocate for these districts in South Dallas to receive quality infrastructure, sustainable housing and development, economic opportunity, and educational resources.

Tammy Pierce was deeply moved when she learned that only 1% of the contracts for public/private partnerships in Dallas were awarded to Black contractors, despite the fact that Black residents make up 28% of the city’s tax-paying population. This stark disparity highlighted a significant inequality in opportunities. This gave birth to her “why” and the start of United Black Contractors whose purpose is to empower and advocate for Black contractors to have access to contracts with cities, states, and counties. Her passion is to economically bolster Black males in America, because “when you build up Black men, you’re building up Black families.”

Wil McCall and Gerald Britt of Dallas Leadership Foundation share how they are bringing people and organizations together to unlock leadership in challenged communities so families, no matter the neighborhood, can flourish. DLF also provides workforce development services including job training of the unemployed, underemployed and hard to employ, as well as training providers and prospective employers.

Giving the next generation options, accessibility and confidence” is what drives Courtney Batiste to lead The Batiste Project whose mission is to empower, educate and bridge the tech divide for economically challenged youth in multiple areas of technology. Her journey as a woman of color in the field of technology has led her to do great things that are making a difference in the lives of students today, that will open doors for them tomorrow.

Meet Johannes Starks – educator, mentor and leader who is full of wisdom and energy to reach out and reach back to pull up the next generation, by providing opportunities through her work with STEAM-based programs and organizations. She serves in many roles to live out her “why” to connect passion and purpose. She is the Executive Director of BEST of Texas Robotics; she volunteers as a statewide mentor for NASA HUNCH (High schoolers United with NASA to Create Hardware), and she serves as a college and career readiness Leadership Coach for Educate Texas.

Gabriel Beltran of Dallas Area Rapid Transportation shares his journey of living out his desire to help others by serving in the public sector, supporting women and minority-owned businesses, as an executive in the Diversity & Vendor Management department.