Deconstructing Dallas

Shawn and Ryan chat with Texas State Director of Trust for Public Land, Robert Kent. Robert announces big developments for a great space in Shawn's neighborhood (Big Cedar Wilderness) while giving an update on the progress of Five Mile Creek. And Ryan asks Robert directly: Are you a chocolatier?https://www.tpl.org/

This week, Shawn and Ryan talk about the newly branded Shops at Red Bird with local developer Terrence Maiden of Russell Glen. Terrence highlights the opportunities and challenges of working in under invested communities and discusses how the rebirth of Red Bird is coming along. Terrence also informs Deconstructing Dallas about his work with the Maiden Foundation, started with his brother Tim. During the conversation, Shawn referred to an article he wrote about Red Bird 14 years prior to the recording. Saving Old Red Bird Mall by Shawn Williams - May 20, 2009Ryan and Shawn also talk about Mayor Eric Johnson's Greening Initiative and the work Trust for Public Land is doing to support the vision.

Joli Angel Robinson, CEO of Housing Forward, walks Shawn and Ryan through a fascinating career that lead her to leave the private sector to become a public servant. Joli talks about her work at the Dallas Police Department as well as her personal connection to affordable housing, homelessness, and housing instability. Shawn and Ryan also discuss the shootings in Allen and their desire to be part of a solution to mass shootings in Texas. Even though Joli is on a Twitter sabbatical, she can be found via @JoliARobin.Also visit housing forward at https://housingforwardntx.org.

We're back for Season 6 after an abreviated Season 5. Katrice Hardy, Executive Editor of the Dallas Morning News is kicking off 2023. She was most recently Executive Editor of the Indianapolis Star, which won a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting.Katrice shares her vision for The News and talks about her beloved LSU Tigers and their recent National Championship in Women's Basketball.

In the 2nd part of this joint episode, Ryan and Shawn talk with Tom Foley, Founder of T2D Concepts.After actively practicing law for 15+ years, Tom directed his efforts to designing innovative, social entrepreneurially models to drive social justice. In 2016, Tom partnered with celebrity chef Tiffany Derry to launch Roots Chicken Shak. The Shak, along with the Shef Tiffany spice line and the Roots Southern Table, combines culinary skills with social impact, empowering women and girls to follow their passion. https://www.t2dconcepts.com/

This week is a double episode, with the first from Chef Tiffany Derry. Chef Derry's restaurant Roots Southern Table pays homage to the way she grew up eating in the South. Roots founders, Chef Tiffany and Tom Foley (featured in Part 2) know that we are stronger together and that we must honor our roots. At Roots Southern Table, Tom and Tiffany want to evoke the feeling that you’re coming home to those you love.In this first episode Chef Derry talks more about her cooking style and influences, as well as the Presidential meals she has prepared. Roots Southern Tablehttps://www.rootssoutherntable.comRoots Chicken Shakhttps://www.rootschickenshak.com/

This week Shawn and Ryan speak with Cody Cosmic, Executive Director of Friends of WRR. Cody chats about the iconic, 100 year old cultural asset: a radio station that belongs to the City of Dallas. Cody expands on how the Friends of WRR work to ensure the station is available for generations to come.The Friends of WRR is a passionate and thriving community of classical music lovers. For over 40 years, Friends of WRR has collaborated with WRR 101.1 and the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture to ensure that WRR remains a city-owned and independent arts asset and that classical music is a continuous part of the North Texas community.

Councilman Adam Bazaldua, Chair of Dallas' Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee is the guest on this episode. Chairman Bazaldua talks to Ryan and Shawn about his days as a chef and educator, as well as reflections on his first council term. Chairman Bazaldua also looks forward to some of his 2022 priorities.

The Deconstructing Dallas crew speaks with Nadine Lee this episode, President & Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Before coming to DART, Nadine was the Chief of Staff for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). She also led the development and implementation of the Flatiron Flyer Bus Rapid Transit for Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD).Nadine talks to Ryan and Shawn about . Ryan and Shawn also talk turkey and discuss how they plan to celebrate Thanksgiving. www.dart.org

This week, Deconstructing Dallas hosts Shawn Williams and Ryan Trimble were joined by YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas President/CEO Curt Hazelbaker. Curt, who has been the CEO since 2017, actually began his YMCA career 40 years ago as a day camp counselor. Moving up through the ranks of the organization Curt has a keen understanding of the inner workings of the YMCA and why their services are more important now than ever due to the pandemic. From camp counselor to CEO, Curt discusses the dexterity necessary to stay relevant and the future plans of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Visit: https://www.ymcadallas.org/Shawn and Ryan also discuss a big win for Allyn Media client Village MD:Dallas backs Walgreens’ clinic partner Village Medical for state tax breakhttps://www.dallasnews.com/business/retail/2021/11/10/dallas-backs-walgreens-clinic-partner-village-medical-for-state-tax-break/

Chief Eddie Garcia stopped by to talk to Allyn Media’s Shawn Williams & Ryan Trimble about what led him to Dallas and what he plans to do now that he’s here. Chief Garcia is Dallas’ first Latino Chief of Police in the department's 140 year history. A Puerto Rican immigrant, Chief Garcia has spent 30 years in law enforcement. From SWAT to VICE and a bit of everything in between, Chief Garcia brings a wealth of experience and explains not only how Dallasites have received him but also what his focus areas are for the city's crime rate. Deeply connected to his Puerto Rican roots, Chief Garcia opens up about how his experiences as an immigrant shaped his idea of what community policing should look like. “Being the head of the community services division was one of the first times I realized that being a police officer was more than just the handcuffs I had on my belt.” - Chief Eddie Garcia

Dr. Eric A. Johnson, Chief of Economic Development, Housing and Neighborhood Services for the City of Dallas, joins Shawn and Ryan on Deconstructing Dallas.Tune in to hear about Johnson's transition to Dallas (moving here just one week before the COVID-19 shutdown) and why he considers himself a creative disrupter with a competitive spirit. Johnson discusses how Dallas differentiates itself from its neighbors (the good, the bad and what makes us unique) and what the recent census report is telling us. He also speaks on the Southern Dallas tax base and what the recently passed Economic Development Policy means for Dallas. Visit: http://www.dallasecodev.org/ Email Dr. Johnson: eric.anthony.johnson@dallascityhall.com

Shawn Williams and Ryan Trimble welcome Christine Perez, Editor of D CEO, on Deconstructing Dallas by way of the MZ Virtual Studios in Cyberspace. From the days of hobby writing as a young girl to winning the 2021 Editorial Excellence Awards, Perez shares her journey in learning from the best in the business in our "can-do" city of Dallas. Founded by the late Wick Allison, Perez talks about what sets D CEO apart from other business magazines, about her experience capturing stories about the people and business of Dallas, their latest round of nonprofit awards, and D CEO's commitment to diversity. And for all you book lovers out there, tune in to hear about D CEO's relaunching of the Big D Reads initiative with Communities Foundation of Texas. Share stories about people and businesses in Dallas making our community better. Email Christine: Christine.perez@dmagazine.com

Tune in to hear Shawn and Ryan break things down with Jason Stanford, co-author of New York Times bestselling book, Forget the Alamo. Stanford discusses how he and co-authors Bryan Burrough and Chris Tomlinson came to write this historical piece and the most recent events that led to its flying off library shelves.If you’re still waiting for your copy, Forget the Alamo challenges misconceptions of Texas’s past and the fight for independence aka what all kids in Texas learn in 7th grade history class. On Deconstructing Dallas, myth-buster and history buff Jason Stanford dives into how some of these myths were created and the politics enforcing them, what it means to teach our kids history as good and bad, and the fight that he and Forget the Alamo is a part of today. Sign up for the Experiment Newsletter here: https://jasonstanford.substack.com/And follow Jason Stanford on Twitter: @JasStanford

Philip Hiatt Haigh, Executive Director of the Circuit Trail Conservancy (CTC) joins Shawn and Ryan as their first in studio guest since March 2020. Philip explains why Dallas consistently ranks among the least bikeable cities, systemic challenges with transportation, and how active transportation (anything but your car) makes a city more robust. In partnership with the City of Dallas, CTC is soon beginning construction of The Loop, a project connecting already-existent trails in our city to develop a 50-mile loop that links neighborhoods in all four quadrants of the city. So, dust off that spandex and tune in to hear more about safe, reliable, state of the art trails coming soon to a neighborhood near you. theloopdallas.org facebook.com/TheLoopDallas/@theloopdallas

Former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Joe Straus talks about his family's political history in Texas and his own entry into politics. He also discusses the decision he and his wife made to join a Black Lives Matters march in the Terrell Hills community of San Antonio. Speaker Straus also talks about his organization Texas Forever Forward and their work to produce better policy outcomes.Ryan and Shawn also revel in recording their first episode together (in person) since March 2021. Bro hugs all around.

Jerry Hawkins, Executive Director of Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (DTRHT) join Ryan and Shawn on this episode. DTRHT is part of a national 14-place initiative by The W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Jerry explains the reckoning that's needed in order address the lingering effects of racism, and discusses some of the historical events that still have an impact on Dallas today. Jerry also tells listeners why a trip to Half Price Books could be a first step towards healing. Jerry on Twitter: @jerryleadsDallas TRHT on Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram: @dallastrhcwww.dallastrht.org

Dale Long grew up in racially turbulent and thoroughly segregated Birmingham, Alabama. He was in the 16th Street Baptist Church the day it was bombed by Ku Klux Klan members, killing Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair.Dale recalls his memories from the moment the bomb went off and the events that followed, along with other notable memories from his childhood. Long discusses the legacy of racism and how it persists today, the epiphany he had while looking into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s eyes, his calling to be a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and so much more.Dale’s Email: dale1906@verizon.net

Lynn McBee takes the cake as the first ever returning guest on Deconstructing Dallas. From the MZ Studios Virtual Studios in Cyberspace, Shawn and Ryan speak with Lynn McBee - CEO, Board Chair, biochemist, runner, former Dallas Mayoral candidate, philanthropic extraordinaire, among many other worn hats. McBee talks about her role as CEO at Young Women's Preparatory Network and what it means to have a school recognized as the #2 school in the state (15th in the nation). She dives into her latest work at EarthX and the millions of viewers across the globe they're reaching weekly. She discusses For Oak Cliff and their recent move and expansion to the former YMCA. And finally, tune in to hear how McBee believes the philanthropic community has rallied, grown and come together to move Dallas forward this past year.TWEET: @lmcbee4dallasWRITE: lynn@lynnmcbee.com WATCH: EarthXTV.com

From Christian ministry to recent Editorial Writer at The Dallas Morning News, Ryan Sanders shares his journey and life calling to being a writer. Sanders discusses DMN candidate questionnaires and endorsements, working with the editorial board, and the shifts in content creation during a distant and digital year. Sanders is also author of two books, Unbelievable and Now & Then. And a question for our Dallas listeners: have you voted yet? Be like Shawn, cast a vote and a fishing line! However and wherever you decide, go vote! Keep in touch with our guest, Ryan Sanders: Website: theryansanders.com Twitter: @theryansanders... And our hosts, Shawn and Ryan: @rtrimble15@shawnpwilliams