The Small Business Center in the City of Dallas plays a pivotal role in the city’s ambitious renovation projects, particularly in the revitalization efforts aimed at iconic landmarks like the Dallas Memorial Auditorium and the Black Academy of Arts and Letters.
Tasked with overseeing the evaluation criteria for minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs), these centers serve as guardians of diversity and equity within City contracts.
The Small Business Center’s Business Inclusion and Development (BID) program’s primary focus lies in advocating for M/WBE participation and fostering collaborative partnerships with local minority Chambers of Commerce and contractor’s associations.
Through proactive engagement and strategic alliances, the Small Business Center ensures that underrepresented businesses receive opportunities to engage in City projects, thereby bolstering inclusivity and community engagement.
Additionally, the Small Business Center’s BID team works hand in hand with procurement and city departments to champion the utilization of M/WBEs in city contracts, further amplifying their impact within the community.
By facilitating communication and nurturing relationships between prime contractors and subcontractors, the Small Business Center empowers M/WBEs to assume significant roles in City contracts, thus propelling economic growth and fostering a more diverse business landscape.
Through their collaborative ethos and unwavering commitment to diversity, the Small Business Center serves as catalysts for positive change, ensuring that City of Dallas renovation projects not only enhance infrastructure but also promote inclusivity and opportunity for all stakeholders involved.
In the ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown Dallas, particularly through the renovation of the Dallas Memorial Auditorium and the Black Academy of Arts and Letters through the Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Masterplan, the SBC emerges as a crucial player in fostering inclusivity and community engagement.
Central to its mission is the oversight of minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) evaluation criteria, serving as a conduit to promote diversity and equity within City contracts.
As stewards of this initiative, the SBC is charged with championing M/WBE participation in City contracts, standing firm in its commitment to collaborate with local Minority Chambers of Commerce and Contractors Associations. Through proactive engagement and strategic partnerships, the SBC endeavors to level the playing field, ensuring that marginalized businesses receive equitable opportunities to partake in City projects.
The influence of the SBC Business Inclusion and Development team extends further, as it works closely with procurement and city departments, advocating for the increased utilization of M/WBEs in city contracts. By facilitating communication and nurturing relationships between prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBC empowers M/WBEs to assume significant roles in city projects, thus amplifying their impact within the community.
Encouraging collaboration, the SBC invites prime and subcontractors to engage, offering a suite of resources, including lists of certified M/WBE subcontractors and guidance on navigating the city’s procurement portal. Through this collaborative ethos, the SBC enriches the diversity and inclusivity of City projects, while concurrently propelling economic growth within the community.
The recent contracts awarded by the City of Dallas for downtown Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Masterplan projects exemplify the city’s unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. With commendable percentages of M/WBE participation, these contracts mark a significant milestone, notably with two African American project management firms at the helm of critical renovation projects.
At the heart of the matter lies the renovation and reconstruction of the Dallas Memorial Auditorium and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, integral components of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Master Plan Project. These endeavors aspire to metamorphose the downtown landscape, fostering economic development and engendering vibrant entertainment spaces for convention attendees and residents alike.
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Master Plan Project
The Dallas City Council on the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) Master Plan expansion, key details have emerged that underscores the project’s vital role in the future of Dallas.
This expansive initiative is set to significantly elevate the city’s infrastructure, bolster the economic landscape, and create a more cohesive connection with the Cedars, South Dallas, and Southern Dallas through innovative urban development and targeted community initiatives.
“Our strategic planning and community engagement efforts extend beyond expanding the KBHCCD; they are about weaving a richer tapestry for our city,” said Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “This project is a testament to our dedication to fostering economic growth, cultural enrichment, and inclusivity across Dallas.”
t.c. broadnax, dallas city manager
A pivotal aspect of the briefing focused on the transformative approach to integrating Dallas communities south of downtown. Collaborative discussions with the City of Dallas, Inspire Dallas, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), and High-Speed Rail (HSR) have steered the project from its original deck park concept to an expanded urban open space. This reimagined approach aims to seamlessly connect Downtown Dallas with the Cedars and South Dallas.
“The introduction of these urban open spaces is pivotal for providing accessible outdoor areas and pedestrian pathways,” said Rosa Fleming, Director of Convention and Event Services. “These enhancements deepen the connection between the convention center and its neighboring communities.”
Developing The Black Academy of Arts and Letters
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Inc. is a multidisciplinary arts institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation and understanding of diverse artistic, cultural, and aesthetic expressions, with a particular focus on African, African American, and Caribbean Arts and Letters. Its mission encompasses the creation and enrichment of awareness regarding these differences within the framework of artistic endeavors.
Curtis King, the founder, and president, elaborated on how the City of Dallas has been instrumental in its making, saying,
“Almost unanimous in its decision a year ago, the Dallas City Council extended a 30-year commitment of approval for TBAAL to continue providing a diversity of cultural arts entertainment in its downtown convention center location. This too is evidence that Dallas is the ‘can do’ city ‘that works!’”
curtis king, president of the city of dallas
Furthermore, the institution is committed to promoting, cultivating, and preserving the traditions of African, African American, and Caribbean Arts and Letters across various artistic domains, including the Fine, Literary, Visual, Performing, and Cinematic Arts.
In line with its mission, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters upholds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy aimed at fostering an environment of respect and inclusion for all. This policy mandates that all employees adhere to principles of dignity and respect in their interactions with others, both within and outside the workplace.
Employees are expected to always demonstrate inclusive behavior, whether during official work duties, company functions, or other sponsored events. This commitment to DEI underscores the institution’s dedication to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations and interactions.
Recently, the SBC’s team launched its inaugural Microgrant Program, a cutting-edge initiative designed to fuel the growth of small businesses and drive local development.
This innovative microgrant program is set to provide a lifeline for small enterprises facing economic challenges, offering a unique opportunity to access financial support that can make a substantial impact on their operations. Recognizing the vital role small businesses play in our community, the Small Business Center aims to empower and uplift entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our local economy.
Key Features of the Microgrant Program:
Financial Boost: Granting direct financial assistance to eligible small businesses, fostering stability and growth.
Inclusivity: A commitment to inclusivity by considering applications from a diverse range of sectors and backgrounds.
Digital Innovation: Embracing technology, the application process is streamlined and accessible through our user-friendly online platform.
Applications for the Microgrant Program opened on March 5 and can be on the Small Business Center’s website.
“We want to be intentional about this opportunity to support small businesses who have continued to be challenged by the effects of COVID on their businesses. It is our hope these micro-grants will have a larger ripple effect for supporting the sustainability of these small businesses,” said Joyce Williams, Director of the Small Business Center.
joyce williams, director of the small business center
Leading Towards Its Future
Aligned with Dallas’ overarching redevelopment agenda for the downtown precinct, these projects epitomize the city’s ambition to rejuvenate and expand its urban footprint. By surpassing community expectations and championing inclusivity, the renovation initiatives serve as catalysts for positive transformation and burgeoning growth within the city.
However, with projected completion dates set in the forthcoming years, these projects herald the dawn of a new era for downtown Dallas. Through collaborative endeavors and an unyielding commitment to diversity, the city stands poised to realize its aspirations of cultivating inclusive, flourishing communities, and cultivating vibrant urban spaces for all its denizens.
The City of Dallas’ Small Business Center wants to be an innovative disruptor in the Business Inclusion ecosystem to provide access to opportunity because we understand the difference between “equity and equality.” For more information on how you can connect with their resources, and learn more about inclusion and development, entrepreneurship, and how they are helping the community, go to SourceDallas.org.
SOURCE: City of Dallas
