The initial idea that lead to Black History Month began over 100 years ago and with federal recognition from the mid 1970’s you are sure to find many celebrations, contests and events throughout the month. The Dallas History & Archives Division of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library has a diverse collection of local historical documents, photographs, oral histories, periodicals and exhibits including Scenes of African American Life in Dallas by photographer Marion Butts anyone interested in learning more about 20 Century Dallas.
Knowledge and access to role models and mentors is an important role in creating an environment that is suitable for startups. And the Dallas B.R.A.I.N. connects entrepreneurs to businesses, non-profits and chambers of commerce that offer educational support.
Prominent business leaders like Stacy Brown-Philpot, Roger Ferguson, Kenneth Frazier, Marvin Ellison, and Laura Weidman Powers have inspirational accounts of how their determination and persistence lead to their positions. And while the U.S. Private Sector Percentage of Workforce and Senior-Level Executives decidedly over represents White men, and under-represents both Black men and women as reported by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission decidedly over represents White men, and under-represents both Black men and women as reported by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2014, Black women have been found to represent the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.
In the last few years, Dallas has been ranked as a top city for entrepreneurs and start-up activity. With the favorable conditions for starting and scaling up your small business, the time to evaluate yourself and business idea is now. If you are looking to take the next step, please contact the Dallas B.R.A.I.N. to learn more about evaluating your concept, or come to the Business Foundation Series, a free workshop series that is held every other week for current or future entrepreneurs interested in understanding what is necessary to build a successful business here in Dallas.
