SEASON 4, EPISODE 11
Tarsha Hearns on Driving Economic Opportunity for Diverse Entrepreneurs in Dallas
The Dallas Entrepreneurs Center (DEC) is on a mission to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers underserved communities. Through mentorship and connecting entrepreneurs to vital resources, The DEC Network helps businesses launch and grow across the North Texas region.
With a focus on supporting entrepreneurs of color facing unique challenges, The DEC is committed to inclusive economic development. That’s why the organization spearheaded the new Dallas Capital Access Initiative, created to address glaring disparities in access to capital following a 2019 study. In this episode, hear from Tarsha Hearns, Senior Director of The DEC Network, on her team’s work to meet the immense unmet need for funding among minority and women entrepreneurs. Tarsha also speaks about her recent experience at the White House, where she met with President Joe Biden to discuss the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and her advocacy on their behalf. The DEC Network continues leading the charge in providing historically underrepresented founders the tools to turn their dreams into thriving businesses.
About The Dallas Entrepreneurs’ Center (The DEC Network)
The DEC Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization driving parity and economic impact by helping entrepreneurs start, build and grow their businesses. Since 2013, we have been launching physical hubs, events, and education programs for startups, with a particular focus on women and entrepreneurs of color. Born from a shared vision among small business and entrepreneurship advocates, The DEC Network believes investment in entrepreneurs is an investment in the community.
About Breaking Down Barriers
This podcast explores the opportunity to build wealth in local, regional, and national economies through entrepreneurship-led economic development. Episodes feature changemakers with innovative approaches to empowering people to start businesses that create wealth for their families and improve outcomes for their communities. Conversations highlight work being done in communities across the U.S. to break down barriers to entrepreneurial opportunity in underserved and underrepresented communities. In this series, we share authentic stories about the impact that entrepreneurship-led economic development has on the local economy and connect a global network of passionate economic developers.
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Breaking Down Barriers is a presentation of Economic Impact Catalyst and is hosted by David Ponraj with production and editing by Jacqui Dietrich and Lauren Bernard with voice talent by Antoine Long. Please rate, review, and subscribe to Breaking Down Barriers, available for free wherever you listen to your podcasts!
