Inspiring Stories from South Dallas

Bryan Williams

Well, it’s a bit of a journey, really. It all started back when I was a kid in band, playing the trombone. I had a taste of music theory back then, but life took me in different directions. Fast forward about 20 years, and I found myself itching to reconnect with that passion. So, I decided to dive back into music, relearning and expanding my knowledge of theory. Then, one day, I purchased FL Studio and thought, “Why not put this music theory to the test?” And that’s how my journey into lo-fi music began. It’s been a ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Read More>>

Trent McKinney

Approximately six years ago, during a job training session where focus may have slipped or wandered (oops!), I found myself doodling letters and trying to replicate the cool lettering and logos around me. Armed with a straight edge, I honed my skills until I felt confident enough to venture into digital lettering using GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)—the free alternative to Photoshop. Read More>>

William Carr

It all started with a passion for design and a vision to create apparel that not only looked good but also made people feel good. Growing up, my aunt always called me Will-O (a combination of my first name and middle initial). My mom would always bring me hats from different places and I eventually had quite a collection. I always said that if I ever were to create my own company, it would be an apparel company named Will-O. Read More>>

Kacie Kintz

In recent years, Kacie has held a senior management position with the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk County in Oregon State. She also provided executive and C-suite support to multiple organizations as a Senior Consultant and Chief Operations Officer. Kacie’s training includes certifications in childhood/youth development, leadership, and C-suite management.  Read More>>

Cathe Becker, Cherie Douglass, & Christy Rollins

Midlo Scoops is owned and operated by three sisters, Cathe, Christy, and Cherie. We opened in May 2021. The year before, our husbands purchased old house to use for business and found that the kitchen had already been zoned as an ice cream shop! We liked the opportunity and decided to go for it! We spent many family gatherings dreaming up ideas of how to make it fun and memorable for our community.  Read More>>

Jared Himstedt

We are at the forefront of the whisky revolution in Texas, and we take this responsibility seriously. We are deeply dedicated to exploring every corner of the craft, taking lessons from those who have come before us as tools on our journey of exploration, and committed to doing things the Balcones way – creating expansive, expressive flavors with our original stamp every day and proudly working out what it means to make Single Malt in the uniquely volatile climate of this place we call home. Read More>>

Ray Price

I grew up as a military kid with both of my parents serving in the United States Marine Corps. I was fortunate to travel to a lot and experience a lot of different cultures early in life. I was born in the States, but by age 6, I was living in Okinawa, Japan, and that’s where I really became exposed to the art of dance and music. Read More>>

Nikita Wilburn

This realization led me to establish Health Lore Community Outreach, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is simple yet profound: to empower individuals to take charge of their health. We focus on teaching people how to advocate for their own well-being, equipping them with the knowledge to ask the right questions during healthcare appointments, and providing resources to prevent and manage chronic diseases. Read More>>

Haley Leavitt

I would come home to my larger-than-life father, who worked his butt off during the day and served fervently in men’s ministry growing up. Our family has a history of addiction, so I often found my dad serving people who had similar stories and was always in awe of the time he gave people. Read More>>

Dr. Kimberly Pearson

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, numerous African Americans were trapped by the devastating Crack Epidemic, which loomed over communities and inflicted enduring trauma upon those who lived through it. My journey to the mental health profession began in the early 90s with a marriage to a former high school flame. I entered this matrimony after completing a bachelor’s Degree in Music Theory and Composition, which I only pursued at my mother’s insistence because of the training I received from age six under her strict discipline. Read More>>

Cynthia Moore

My story began as a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC). I routinely worked with clients struggling with poor mental health and/or substance use. Despite the clients learning coping strategies, it wasn’t enough. This led me to pursue a master’s degree in social work, focusing on mental health.  Read More>>

Melissa K. McGowan

Starting my own photography business provided the flexibility I needed, allowing me to balance caring for my son while turning my hobby into a full-time profession. The transition wasn’t easy, but determination and love for photography kept me going. Read More>>

Verb Kulture

I was born and raised in Chicago, IL, and from a young age, I’ve had a deep love for the arts. I began performing when I was just six years old, exploring various forms of creative expression like poetry, music, dance, and crafts. I am mother, wife, artistic innovator, dancer, poet, writer, producer, and community leader. Read More>>

Taylor Odom

Growing up, I always had a love for all art and design; I was very shy and quiet, so art was always a hobby of mine. I graduated from Refugio Texas High School in 2017 and went to Del Mar College Center for Economic Development and obtained my beginner, intermediate, and advanced certificates for AutoCad in early 2019. From late 2019 through the beginning of 2020, I became a drafter but was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic; during that time, I found an online schooling program for a Graphic Design Certification at the New York Institute of Art and Design and decided to pursue my career in that direction. Read More>>

Stephan Dean

Look around you; everything is printed, and you can print whatever the heck you want on whatever you want. It’s basically magic. My favorite printed product is a pin-back button; unlike a shirt, mug, or tote bag, a button (except for when a customer bought one to pin her broken dress together) is a relatively useless product on its own. But after it’s printed it can be something that makes you laugh, an expression of your interest, how you feel and what you think, it can be marketing or a memory or literally anything.  Read More>>

Quinton McCright

It all began with my father, Alvin Wright, as I watched and assisted him in repairing cars. He taught me how to work on my bicycle and encouraged us to figure out the rest. A skilled welder by profession, my dad could construct and mend anything. Observing him over the years sparked my fascination with car repairs. At the age of 21, I secured a job at Pep Boys as an installer, where I handled basic car maintenance tasks. The corporate at Pep Boys expressed their desire for us to become certified mechanics and sponsored the installers to become ASE Mechanics. The rest, as they say, is history. Read More>>

Matthew Bizer

In 2011 I ended up at a table with Willie Nelson and his wife and my good friend and partner in Luck Reunion said “tell them about your idea” – their answer was “get insurance” which we all got a decent laugh out of. Next thing I knew, they called and asked, “how’s it coming?” And 3 months later I was throwing our first event in Luck at Willie Nelson’s ranch. Read More>>

Brittany Telfair

With experience at a Texas winery, I actively participated in harvesting volunteering, and I have my WSET level 1 certification currently working towards WSET level 2. Being a catalyst for change in the culinary and wine realms, I was able to forge new connections by celebrating a variety of cuisines and cocktails. Read More>>