The DEC Network Celebrates BIPOC Entrepreneurs, Previews Disrupt Dallas Summit Ahead of DSW24 » Dallas Innovates

DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor [Photo: Kauwuane Burton Studios]

The DEC Network’s AMPLIFY, a preview to #DSW24’s Disrupt Dallas Summit at Dallas Startup Week, is coming July 11 with speakers and recognition of five Black, Indigenous, and People of Color entrepreneurs.

The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The DEC Network @RedBird, 3560 W. Camp Wisdom Road, Suite 200, in Southern Dallas. Voting for the 2024 AMPLIFY award nominees closes on June 21 at 11 p.m.

Go here to vote.
Voting closes June 21.

#DSW24’s Disrupt Dallas Summit, sponsored by Dell for Startups and Deloitte, will be a highlight at Dallas Startup Week in August.

AMPLIFY will feature keynote speaker DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor.

Carlos White

Carlos White, a corporate and transactional attorney, as well as the city of Dallas’ first franchise impact ambassador, will moderate a conversation with Proctor as she shares her story of how she is “disrupting” the entrepreneurial ecosystem as DeSoto’s mayor and as an entrepreneur of color, as well as revealing details about the city of DeSoto’s new collaboration with The DEC Network.

“I can think of no more fitting keynote speaker for Amplify than City of DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor, a two-time author, a life-long entrepreneur, and a community advocate, DEC Network CEO Bill Chinn said in a statement. “Her conversation with Carlos will truly be an inspiration to all of our entrepreneurs in attendance.”

Bill Chinn

Chinn says The DEC Network is honored to “amplify” the successes of BIPOC entrepreneurs with five awards, as the nonprofit previews its upcoming Disrupt Dallas Summit on August 12. “We hope the community will join us in voting for these remarkable and deserving nominees,” he said.

Learn more about AMPLIFY and register here. 

The Disrupt Dallas Summit is part of Dallas Startup Week 2024, hosted by The DEC Network from August 11 to 15, 2024.

AMPLIFY Awards and nominees

Woman of Influence Award – recognizes female entrepreneurs of color who are taking the lead in business, industry, and organizations.

Nominees are:

• Ayo Aigbe, Hangio
• Alyssa Azcarate, Teatro Café
• Brittney Adams, Focus & Frame Eyewear
• Chakina Watkins, Next Level Cosmetology Camp for Kids
• Charlette White, Real Life Changers
• Cortney Ketchum, Review Mediator
• Danny Bush, Fun on the Run Plus One
• Darlisa Diltz, Foundations Entrepreneur Development Company
• Deb Lester, Conquer with Deb
• Denise Mason, BBVA
• Elle Hall-Coleman, Girlfriend’s, Budget!
• Erica Molett, Kandake Tech
• Erika Desroches, Zero Proof Social
• Kristin McIntyre, Rufescent
• Melina Mayfield, By M Squared and Party Scene
• Neha Kunte, MNK Infotech
• Nikki James, BITS
• Noelle LeVeaux, D Magazine
• Nydia Cardenas, Cardenas Coaching
• Shannon Stinnett, BLVCK In Tech
• Wendy Morales, Bank of America
• Yolanda Stevenson, Taxi Mom

Man of Influence Award – recognizes the dedication of male entrepreneurs of color who are creating their own legacy by becoming champions of entrepreneurship.

• Casey Thomas, councilperson, City of Dallas
• Curtis Corbins, C Lee Transportation
• Fritz Peitzner, Carriers Skate Shops
• Jaylen Lagrande, 316 Apparel
• Jerrod Lemmons, Kitchen Combine
• R’Kes Starling, Reveles Clinical
• Rashad E. Frizzell, Mobile Barber App

Cultural Heritage Award – recognizes a BIPOC entrepreneur who celebrates and preserves cultural heritage through their business endeavors, promoting diversity and inclusivity.

• Alyssa Azcarate, Teatro Café
• Brianna Gonzales, The Social Chica
• Jerry Hawkins, Dallas TRHT
• Jin-Ya Huang, Break Bread Break Borders
• Melissa Bradford, Veritex Bank
• Tristen Wilson, Frost Bank
• Shannon Stinnett, BLVCK In Tech

Legacy Award – a distinguished award for an entrepreneur of color in the community who has built a legacy through their continued entrepreneurship endeavors.

• Brandon Williams, Seeds2Stem
• Effie Dennison, Texas Capital Bank
• Elle Hall-Coleman, Founder and CEO of Girlfriend’s, Budget!
• Irvin Ashford, Charles Schwab Bank
• Leah Frazier, Leah Heals/Think Three Media
• Roland Parrish, Local Philanthropist

BIPOC Corporate Champion Award – honors a corporation that has invested time and financial support to the entrepreneurial eco-system in Dallas-Fort Worth; they have holistically invested in entrepreneurs with time spent in mentorship, resources, capital and funding:

• Accenture
• American National Bank of Texas
• Bank of America
• Bank of Texas
• B1 Bank
• Capital Asset Advisors
• Capital One
• Charles Schwab Bank
• Dell for Startups
• Encore Bank
• First Citizens Bank
• Frisco EDC
• Frost Bank
• Hillcrest Bank
• Independent Financial Bank
• Interbank
• Justworks
• Lathrop GPM
• Lyda Hill Philanthropies
• MoneyGram
• Prosperity Bank
• Texas Capital Bank
• Third Coast Bank
• Toyota
• Truist
• TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs
• US Bank
• Veritex Community Bank

Vote for your favorites here.

All things DSW

Dallas Startup Week is The DEC Network’s largest, premiere event for DFW small business owners and entrepreneurs. The event is sponsored by Capital One and the program includes a five-day celebration that builds momentum and opportunity around entrepreneurship and innovation.

Started in 2015, DSW began with the goal of orchestrating an entire week of entrepreneurial activities that equip, encourage, and educate current and aspiring entrepreneurs to start, build, and grow their businesses. DSW also was created to help increase the awareness and impact of the entrepreneurial community across North Texas, DEC Network said.

Dallas Startup Week will be held Aug. 11 to 15, and all DSW events are free to attend, in-person and at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Frisco.

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