The Dallas Weekly

Black business doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Neither does policy.

This August, “On the Rocks: Political Pour Overs” turns its focus to one of the most important conversations of the year as we celebrate Black Business Month.

Join DW and our partners at Dallas Fort-Worth Urban League Young Professionals for a conversation with Charles O’Neal—one of the nation’s leading advocates for Black entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

As Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and President of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce, Charles represents the interests of hundreds of thousands of Black-owned businesses while championing policies that expand access to capital, procurement opportunities, and long-term economic growth. Right here in Dallas, his leadership has also helped shape the legacy of the Dallas Black Chamber , where he served as both President and Vice President, strengthening one of the country’s oldest Black business institutions.

Together, we’ll explore the intersection of business and policy:

💼 How legislation impacts Black entrepreneurs.
📈 What economic opportunities lie ahead.
🏛️ Why civic engagement is essential to building generational wealth.
🤝🏾 And what it will take to ensure Black businesses don’t just survive—but thrive.

Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, community leader, or someone passionate about economic justice, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

📍 Monday, August 24
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Mokah Coffee & Tea - 2803 Taylor St. • Dallas, TX

Homelessness impacts every part of our community—and meaningful solutions begin with listening.

Dallas City Council District 7 is hosting a Community Listening Session on Homelessness, giving residents an opportunity to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas directly with local leaders.

Whether you’re a neighbor, business owner, advocate, or simply want to better understand the challenges facing South Dallas, your voice belongs in the conversation.

📅 Tuesday, August 4
🕕 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 South Dallas Cultural Center
3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave., Dallas, TX 75210

Will you be attending? Let us know your thoughts on addressing homelessness in our community. ⬇️

For weeks, questions and speculation have surrounded DART’s selection of Nat Ford as the agency’s next CEO.

Now, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board Chair Randall Bryant is speaking directly to the public.

In this exclusive opinion piece, Randall Bryant addresses the rumors, explains the Board’s decision-making process, and shares why he believes Ford was the right choice to lead one of the nation’s largest transit agencies.

Whether you support the decision or still have questions, this perspective offers insight from the person who led the search.

Read the full opinion at the link in our bio.

Growth should create opportunity—not displacement.

The conversation around development in Southern Dallas often begins with fear. But what if we started with facts instead?

In the July edition of “The Neighborhood Ledger,” Scottie Smith II takes a closer look at one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding neighborhood growth: affordable housing. He explores why preserving a community isn’t about resisting investment—it’s about ensuring the people who built the neighborhood have the opportunity to benefit from it.

As we continue this monthly series, “The Neighborhood Ledger” will break down the housing, development and policy decisions shaping Southern Dallas—making complex issues easier to understand and encouraging informed conversations about our future.

Read the July edition now at DallasWeekly.com.

This Saturday, Not My Son returns with its 7th Annual Carnival of Knowledge Back-to-School Festival—a free community event providing backpacks, school supplies, family activities, giveaways, and access to valuable community resources.

Whether you’re a parent preparing for the new school year, looking to volunteer, or simply want to support a great cause, this is an opportunity to invest in the next generation.

💜 FREE to attend
🎒 School supplies & backpacks
🤝 Community resources
🎉 Family fun & giveaways

Learn more, register, volunteer, or become a sponsor at:
slktxt.io/1jHSX/905607277

The life you want isn’t just going to happen—it has to be built.

Building wealth isn’t about luck. It’s about education, strategy, and taking that first step.

On Saturday, July 18, financial educator Teri Ijeoma brings “The Risk Worth Taking Tour” to Dallas for an afternoon designed to help people better understand investing, wealth-building, and creating a financial roadmap for the future.

Hosted by Brittney Johnson with a fireside conversation moderated by Tashara Parker, this event is for anyone who’s ever thought:

✔️ “I wish I knew how to invest.”
✔️ “Where do I even start?”
✔️ “It’s time to make my money work for me.”

Whether you’re just beginning your financial journey or looking to strengthen your investment knowledge, this conversation is designed to equip you with practical tools you can apply long after the event ends.

📍 Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre
🗓️ Saturday, July 18
🕞 Doors Open: 3:30 PM
🕓 Program Begins: 4:00 PM

Who would you bring to this event? Tag them below. 👇🏾

https://www.theriskworthtaking.com/dallas-tour?utm_source=dallasweekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rwt-tour-2026&utm_content=blast-jul6