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

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

DEC Network's AMPLIFY, a preview of #DSW24's Disrupt Dallas Summit during Dallas Startup Week, will take place on July 11th and feature five Black, Indigenous and people of color entrepreneurs speaking and being recognized.

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

Click here to vote.
Voting ends on June 21st.

#DSW24's Disrupt Dallas Summit, sponsored by Dell for Startups and Deloitte, will be the highlight of Dallas Startup Week in August.

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

Carlos White

Carlos White, corporate and transactional attorney and the City of Dallas’ first Franchise Impact Ambassador, will moderate a conversation with Proctor in which Proctor will discuss how he is “disrupting” the entrepreneurial ecosystem as Mayor of DeSoto and an entrepreneur of color, as well as reveal details about a new collaboration between the City of DeSoto and the DEC Network.

“We can't think of a more suitable person to be Amplify's keynote speaker than DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor. She's a two-time author, lifelong entrepreneur and community advocate,” DEC Network CEO Bill Chin said in a statement. “Her conversation with Carlos will be truly inspiring for all the entrepreneurs in attendance.”

Bill Chin

Chin said the nonprofit DEC Network is honored to “amplify” the success of BIPOC entrepreneurs with the five awards as it previews its upcoming Disrupt Dallas Summit on Aug. 12. “We hope everyone in the community will vote for these incredible, deserving nominees,” Chin said.

To learn more about AMPLIFY and to register, click here.

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

AMPLIFY Awards and Nominees

Influential Women Awards – Recognize women entrepreneurs of color who demonstrate leadership in business, industry and organizations.

The candidates are:

Ayo Aigbe, Hangio
Alyssa Azcarate, Teatro Café
Brittney Adams, Focus & Frame Eyewear
Chakina Watkins, Next Generation Beauty Camp for Kids
Charlette White, True Life Changers
Courtney Ketchum, Review Mediator
Danny Bush, Fun on the Run Plus One
Darlisa Dilts, Foundations Entrepreneur Development Company
Deb Lester, Conquer with Deb
Dennis Mason, BBVA
El Hall Coleman, Girlfriend, Budget!
Erica Moretto, Kandaketek
Erica Desroches, Zero Proof Social
Christine McIntyre, Lufescent
Melina Mayfield, Msquared and the party scene
Neha Kunte, MNK Infotech
Nikki James, BITS
Noel Leveaux, D Magazine
Nidia Cardenas, Cardenas Coaching
Shannon Stinnett, BLVCK In Tech
Wendy Morales, Bank of America
Yolanda Stevenson, Taxi Mom

Influential People Award – Celebrating the dedication of male entrepreneurs of color who are championing entrepreneurship and building their own legacy.

Dallas City Council Member Casey Thomas
Curtis Corbins, C. Lee Transportation
Fritz Peitzner, Carriers Skateshop
Jalen LaGrande, 316 Apparel
Jerrod Lemons, Kitchen Combine
R'Kes Starling, Revels Clinical
Rashad E. Frizzell, Mobile Barber App

Cultural Heritage Award – Recognize BIPOC entrepreneurs who celebrate and protect cultural heritage and promote diversity and inclusion through their business activities.

Alyssa Azcarate, Teatro Café
Briana Gonzalez, The Social Chica
Jerry Hawkins, Dallas TRHT
Jinya Huang, Break Bread Break Borders
Melissa Bradford, Veritex Bank
Tristen Wilson, Frostbank
Shannon Stinnett, BLVCK In Tech

Legacy Awards – A prestigious award given to an entrepreneur of color in the community who has established a track record through sustained entrepreneurial activity.

Brandon Williams, Seeds2Stem
Effie Denison, Texas Capital Bank
Elle Hall-Coleman, Founder and CEO of Girlfriend's, Budget!
Irving Ashford, Charles Schwab Bank
Leah Fraser, Leah Heels/Think3 Media
Roland Parrish, local philanthropist

BIPOC Business Champion Award – We celebrate the companies that have invested their time and financial support into the Dallas-Fort Worth entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing mentorship, resources, capital, and funding, and by holistically investing in entrepreneurs.

Accenture
Texas American National Bank
Bank of America
Bank of Texas
B1 Bank
Capital Asset Advisor
Capital One
Charles Schwab Bank
Dell for Startups
Angkor Bank
First Citizens Bank
Frisco EDC
Frost Bank
Hillcrest Bank
Independent Financial Bank
Interbank
Just Works
Rasop GPM
Lyda Hill Philanthropy
Money transfer services
Prosperity Bank
Texas Capital Bank
Third Coast Bank
Toyota
Truist
TWU Women's Entrepreneurship Center
Bank of America
Veritex Community Bank

Vote for your favorite here.

All about DSW

Dallas Startup Week is the DEC network's largest and premier event for small business owners and entrepreneurs in DFW. The event is sponsored by Capital One and programming includes five days of celebrations that foster momentum and opportunity for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Launched in 2015, DSW began with the goal of organizing a week of entrepreneurial activities to help current and future entrepreneurs start, build and grow their businesses. According to the DEC Network, DSW was also created to increase awareness and influence of the entrepreneurial community throughout North Texas.

Dallas Startup Week runs from August 11-15, and all DSW events are in-person and free to attend at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Frisco.