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"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

As we celebrate 5 years of business, we are excited to take time to share some of the ways we have partnered to create more freedom within our business and the partners that have helped us reach that goal.


OVERVIEW

The Elevate Together Grant is sponsored by the ODP Corporation (Office Depot's parent company) in partnership with the National Urban League and U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to "address systemic discrimination and historical racial disparities in business growth and profitability in Black and Hispanic communities." The program is managed locally by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce to engage and support businesses in the DFW region.

 

In November 2023, C-Suite Equity Consulting was honored to be one of the inaugural recipients of this grant in celebration of our work in equitable development, use of social determinants of health principles to increase overall health & wellness, and dedication to drive positive change in urban centers. We were awarded a monetary grant, matched with a business mentor, and invited to join the ODP Supplier Diversity Network to gain the additional support and exposure necessary to continue to serve as the nexus where innovation meets impact.

 

The grant award supported our firm operations as we expanded our service offerings creating more trainings and solutions for corporations, nonprofits, and governmental entities, updated our company messaging, and navigated the political minefield consisting of the repeal of Affirmative Action, anti-DEI legislation and rhetoric, and legal attacks on programs working to support Black-owned businesses, especially those owned by Black women. Our Mentor, with over 30 years supporting multinational corporations as a trusted partner and consultant, serves as a sounding board and advisor as we diversify our consulting practice, and the Supplier Diversity Network continues to increase our firm's visibility beyond our immediate backyard in Texas. It has been one of the many ways we have sought to grow our leadership, business, and reach.

 

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Now, we are happy to report the Dallas Black Chamber has opened the second round of the grant application to businesses in Dallas. The application closes July 5th and will offer awards ranging from $5,000 - 10,000. For more information and to apply, please visit the Elevate Together grant page.

 

We were also honored to be a part of the Fox 4 News story covering the grant and two initial recipients. The story can be viewed here or by clicking below.  



 

SPECIAL NOTE FROM DR. CARTER

The fight for freedom is not over. We have yet to see the realization of the ideals our Founders set forth in our founding documents. Our firm remains committed to our work with mission-focused organizations, local government entities, and business enterprises to invest their budgets and profits into the communities and people they serve, increase overall health and well-being, and ensure that everyone has meaningful access to opportunities to improve their economic and social standing in life. Our name may have updated, but our commitment remains the same. CSEC is the firm working to make urban spaces equitable places to live, work, and play. Let us be the partner where innovation meets impact for you.


We hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane with us! We will be sharing more about our past work, latest updates, recent projects, and new offerings with you over the next few months. We look forward to the ways we will partner to create new opportunities and spaces where innovation meets impact.

 



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As we celebrate 5 years of business, we are excited to take time to look back over the projects we've completed, the relationships we've built, and the impact we've made - together.

 

OVERVIEW

Our first project goes all the way back to the end of 2018 with the start of the Community Driven Growth: A Roadmap for Dallas' Equitable Development Project. This $400,000 PRO Neighborhoods Grant (Partnerships for Raising Opportunity in Neighborhoods) project through JPMorgan Chase Foundation, in partnership with the Muse Family Foundation, was awarded to The Real Estate Council Community Fund (now TREC Community Investors) who enlisted C-Suite Consulting (now C-Suite Equity Consulting), bcWorkshop, the Institute for Urban Policy Research, and Loveland Technologies (now Regrid) as subject matter experts.


THE DIFFERENCE 

What made this project unique, and honestly where the core of the success was catalyzed, was in the partnerships with community organizations, including: The Golden S.E.E.D.S. Foundation, CitySquare (now The Forest Theater), St. Philip's School and Community Center, Builders of Hope, and Cornerstone Baptist Church. These community quarterbacks lent their years of service, community relationships, and local expertise to ensure engagement, findings, and next steps were in tune with the true needs and voices of the communities they served.


OUR WORK

C-Suite Equity Consulting served as project manager overseeing timely project completion and contributing to community engagement and report writing for the development of an equitable development plan for three neighborhoods facing rapid transition in Dallas, including the Bottom, the Forest District, and West Dallas Census Tract 205. The final plan can be viewed here.


PROJECT IMPACT

JPMorgan Chase Foundation Staff & Members of the Community Driven Growth Project Team at the Dallas Collaborative for Equitable Development Announcement (October 2019)
Members of the Community Driven Growth Project Team at the Dallas Collaborative for Equitable Development Announcement (October 2019)

The planning grant was successful, and a subsequent, and record-breaking, $6 million grant was awarded to implement the Community Driven Growth Plan through the Dallas Collaborative for Equitable Development (DCED). This continued investment from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation funded entrepreneurship resources and training services, job skills and workforce training, and funding for land acquisition and construction costs for affordable housing.

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DCED recently concluded in 2023; past reports on the program can be found here. More information about Dallas College Venture Club - the entrepreneurship center at Dallas College created through DCED funding - can be viewed here.


GRATITUDE

A tremendous thank you to all that worked on and contributed to the success of this project. We learned from each of you and were forever influenced in how we do our work. We thank you for your commitment, partnership, and expertise.


SPECIAL NOTE FROM DR. CARTER

This project allowed me to start independently consulting during the last year of my PhD program in Urban Planning & Public Policy at The University of Texas at Arlington. I wanted a "flexible option", to gain experience while I finished my dissertation, instead of an "option" it quickly turned into a passion that allowed me to marry my skills in research, rapport building, strategy development, policy, teaching, and data analysis. Consulting, what was once supposed to be my retirement hobby, became my primary vehicle for creating change and making impact, and I am forever grateful.


 

IN MEMORIAM

We pause to celebrate the tireless commitment and deep contributions of Mr. Raul Reyes, and all he gave to lead, protect, catalyze, and build the West Dallas community. His passing was a tremendous loss to the City of Dallas, but the legacy he left continues to speak loudly. Thank you for a lifetime of impact, Raul. Rest well. (Mr. Reyes is pictured at the top right of the plan cover photo.)


 

We hope you enjoyed this first trip down memory lane with us!

 

We look forward to sharing more about our past work, latest updates, recent projects, and new offerings with you. We look forward to the ways we will partner to create new opportunities and spaces where innovation meets impact.

 

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What a day! Solar Eclipse 2024 is in the books! We took the day to enjoy this event and the #downtowndallas network of parks and public spaces. #ourteamshappyplace 


It was so beautiful to see the entire city celebrating, dancing, watching, connecting, and taking it all in - together. That’s the tremendous power of parks, nature, and public space.


 

A Visual Recap of CSEC's Solar Eclipse Downtown Dallas Parks & Public Space Tour -

Highlighting Harwood Park, Main Street Park, and Dallas Farmers Market Plaza


 

It’s one of the reasons we’re so thankful for the work we’ve done with Kaleidoscope Park, Harold Simmons Park, Trinity Park Conservancy, and Southern Gateway Park, and as a member of the board for the Dallas Farmers Market Reinvestment Zone.


Parks and public spaces bring us all together, break down barriers, give us space to pause and opportunities for economic development. They are truly power players in the urban landscape, layering environmental and economic benefits, while creating third spaces for social engagement, connection, and activity.


We are so thankful to have captured moments from this amazing day (protecting our eyes of course), and send a tremendous thank you to Downtown Dallas Parks, Downtown Dallas, Inc., and the Dallas Farmers Market for creating wonderful spaces to celebrate this once in a lifetime event! 🎊




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