Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Tinner.
Jade Tinner, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I currently serve as the Vice President of Community Investment at the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce. I am an influential millennial leader, communications professional, and relationship cultivator. Before obtaining my VP position, I was an elected member of the DBCC Board of Directors, where I served diligently from 2018 to 2020. I previously worked as a Major Gift Officer for Catholic Charities Fort Worth. In 2019, I produced CCFW’s first-ever INCLUSION Dinner and Fundraiser, specifically targeting multicultural leaders in the Fort Worth diocese. This event heightened awareness for the need to diversify the organization’s leadership and donor base for long-term sustainability.
I am known in the communications world as “The Brand Enhancer,” which is cool, right? I am the founder of JTBE, LLC, and The One Unified Resource Foundation, INC. (OUR Foundation). Both entities’ missions focus on the need for the betterment of the community through brand & self-enhancement, strategy creation, and community engagement. Through the OUR Foundation, OUR MEN(tors) program, supports young men, ages 12-18, through positive male role models and the BE MEN Curriculum. In conjunction with the mentor program, The OUR Foundation introduced The MEN’S Brunch, the first men-only brunch and panel, providing men with a day of encouragement, empowerment, and pampering.
I hold a degree in Marketing from the Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri Kansas City, where I was a four-year Division I basketball player. Upon the ending of my post-collegiate basketball career, I began finding my space in the world of communications and entrepreneurship working with a range of organizations and individuals, from the American Cancer Society to Young Jeezy and co-owning a professional women’s basketball team. Over her the course of my career, I have mastered the delicate art of building genuine relationships and persuasively driving positive change.
I currently serve on the Executive Board for BRIDGE Fort Worth, am an active member of the DFW Urban League Young Professionals, and co-founded the Minority Advisory Council (MAC). It is my passion to serve as a professional development mentor for women in business and still hit the hardwood as a basketball camp instructor during the summer months. I consider myself a food connoisseur and, in her free time, loves to spend time with family and friends, travel, and eat.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Over my career, I have faced and overcame many challenges. The majority of these challenges have come from self-doubt caused by the opinions of others. As a black woman in the corporate and the entrepreneurial world, we must go above and beyond to be considered equal to our peers. Over the years, I have had to prove my capabilities to others continuously. This leads to burnout, anxiety, and depression.
As an athlete, my coaches used to say, “it’s all about mental toughness.” As a business owner who also works full time, this statement is something I carry with me as a daily reminder to stay focused. The ultimate goal is not for me to acquire things, but for me to honor and glorify God in my work and actions.
Being blessed with mentors throughout my career has also helped me overcome or bypass obstacles that many small and minority-owned businesses face. As the VP of Community Investment, I now get to share this knowledge with our members and those looking to start new businesses.
Please tell us about Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce.
Since 1926, the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce has been serving as an advocate for the creation, growth, and general welfare of African American businesses in the Dallas community. We commit to leading, educating, and advocating in the Dallas business community, making the North Texas region a great place for Black business.
In my role as VP of Community Investment, I help develop and implement strategic plans to ensure that partnerships, services, and programs are effective and support the mission of the DBCC and deepen our impact in the community. As a business owner, I provide consulting services that can now be facilitated as a service through the DBCC. I am here to help Black businesses grow!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, there are three things I would have done differently.
1. I would have looked for mentors early in my career. I have amazing mentors now that continue to pour into me and help me piece together my next steps. Mentors are important for life in general. If you don’t have one… get one!
2. I would have SAVED MY MONEY! The early stages of my professional and entrepreneurial career cost me a lot of time and money that ultimately hindered growth. Now I encourage everyone to have a financial planner and learn saving behaviors to avoid debt whether personal or business.
3. I would have NOT hesitated and bet on myself earlier. A lot of times we need others to cheer us on when we already know our idea will change lives. Your dream is your dream and it will take you putting in work and believing in yourself to make that dream a reality!
Pricing:
- Individual Chamber Membership – $150
- Small Business Membership – $395
Contact Info:
- Address: Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Building A, Suite 104
Dallas, Texas 75215 - Website: www.dbcc.org
- Phone: 214-421-5200
- Email: jtinner@dbcc.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/iam_jadetinner
- Facebook: facebook.com/iam_jadetinner
- Twitter: twitter.com/iam_jadetinner
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