Deconstructing Dallas

In this episode, Ryan Trimble and Shawn Williams chat with the president of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Harrison Blair, who shares insights into his family's history in Dallas, including ties to Negro League Baseball and community advocacy. 

Harrison discusses the chamber’s significant growth, expanding from 100 to over 900 members, and highlights key initiatives like a $25,000 micro-lending program with VISTA Bank and a $141,000 grant program launched in 2020. The conversation also covers ambitious plans for the future, such as increasing membership to 3,000, transforming MLK Boulevard into a business district, and establishing a flagship office.

In addition, the episode highlights the chamber's upcoming Cowboy Couture Gala on December 12, which will provide a major opportunity for networking and community support.

Shawn and Ryan also get a surprise "call" from a longtime listener who has a bone to pick with one (or both) of them. 

Support Alpha Merit Group:
Check out the Alpha Merit Group fundraising video dicussed in the episode and produced by Allyn Media. Consider donating to support education and mentorship for young men of color here.

Connect with Shawn and Ryan on instagram:
@rtrimble15
@shawnpwilliams

In this episode of Deconstructing Dallas, our guest is Linda McMahon, the inaugural CEO of the Dallas Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Linda shares her journey from growing up on military bases to becoming a key leader in Dallas’ economic development.

Shawn and Ryan talk to their friend Linda about her work at The Real Estate Council, including her role with the Grow South Fund and the pivotal investments that are transforming Southern Dallas. Linda also sheds light on the future of commercial real estate post-pandemic, disucces the importance of in-office culture, and speaks on how Dallas can continue to thrive as interest rates begin to change. 

As she discusses the mission of the EDC, the conversation explores the efforts to diversify Dallas' economy by focusing on key industries and development opportunities around transit hubs and Southern Dallas. 

Dallas Economic Development Corp. Website

In this episode, hosts Ryan Trimble and Shawn Williams sit down with Jake Allyn, the versatile actor, producer and writer making waves in Hollywood. As the son of Allyn Media’s founder Rob Allyn, Jake offers a unique perspective on creativity, reflecting his dynamic journey from football fields to film sets. He gives us an inside look at his latest movie project, Ride, where authenticity is more than a buzzword—it's practically a character in the film. 

For Jake, authenticity isn’t just an ingredient; it’s the entire recipe. Looking ahead, Jake shares his ambitious plans to embrace diverse roles, push the boundaries of producing, and develop innovative projects. Tune in to find out how he’s setting the stage for his next big moves in the industry.

'Ride' Trailer
Jake Allyn IMDb
Instagram - @jakeallyn85

This week Ryan and Shawn turn their attention to the world of finance with guest Chris Gannett. Chris is an investor, executive and former CMO of American Idol, now at the helm of Gannett Partners. He shares insights into his fascinating career journey, from Wall Street banking to the music industry. Deconstructing Dallas dives into the transformative potential of the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE), a proposal that aims to shake up the financial landscape by providing a competitive alternative to giants like the NYSE and NASDAQ. 

The Olympics have recently wrapped and the guys talk about Team USA and laud our country's superior medal haul. If only there were medals for mastering the art of podcasting, our guys would probably add a few more to that tally!

Connect with Chris:
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/chrisgannett
Website: https://www.gannett.partners/
Chris' Dallas Morning News Column

In this episode your favorite podcasters interview Rick Loessberg, author of Two Societies. Two Societies discusses how a presidential commission of eleven individuals with differing opinions studied the horrendous rioting of 1967, unanimously concluded it was not the result of radicals but was instead a response to decades of pervasive discrimination, and produced a boldly-worded 600-page report in only seven months. It also assesses whether the protests and disorder that followed George Floyd’s death in 2020 were similar to 1967’s rioting and to what extent there has been progress in eliminating the discrimination that existed in 1967.

Rick  is a retired Director of Planning & Development for Dallas County where he established the County’s first housing rehab, Section 8, tax incentive, and CDBG programs.

The latest episode brings Shawn and Ryan to the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands' June meeting where your hosts were the featured speakers. They took the time to record a podcast and what do you know...they interviewed one another. The guys covered a lot of ground, including their backgrounds, life at Allyn Media, the Deconstructing Dallas podcast origin story and how they both married up.

The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands is an affiliate of the National Exchange Club.  The original purpose of “Exchange,” which continues today, was to create grass roots organizations for the exchange of ideas leading to community involvement and enhancement in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, Texas.  This objective has been refined over the years to focus on the prevention of child abuse and a broad array of youth service, citizenship programs and community services, including the area schools and Family Compass.

eclh.org

In this episode of Deconstructing Dallas, Shawn and Ryan are joined by Heather McGhee, an expert in economic policy research and the author of the book "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together." Heather discusses her journey exploring the intersection of racism and economics in America, highlighting the impact of racism on public goods, wages, and inequality.

Heather reflects on her time at Demos, an organization focused on economic justice, and how her thinking on race and racism evolved during her tenure there. She also discusses the adaptation of her book into a Spotify podcast by Higher Ground, the production company of Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as the upcoming theater adaptation in Dallas.

Shawn and Ryan also talk about the upcoming Banned Book Festival at Bishop Arts Theatre Center, inspired by "The Sum of Us," and Heather's thoughts on the book being used as inspiration for a play festival. They discuss the role of arts organizations like Bishop Arts Theater Centre in addressing inequality and promoting social change.

Shawn and Ryan also reflect on the 2024 Dallas Bond Campaign and the passing of West Dallas community activist Raul Reyes Jr.

In this episode of Deconstructing Dallas, Shawn and Ryan sit down with Sam Thompson, CEO of the Circle Ten Council Boy Scouts of America. Sam shares his insights into scouting and its impact on character development and citizenship training. He discusses the transition of scouting to include girls and the importance of inclusivity in scouting programs.

The conversation then shifts to the rich history of Camp Wisdom in Southern Dallas, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Sam provides a glimpse into what makes the camp special and how it has contributed to the community.

Shawn and Ryan also delve into how individuals can get involved in scouting and the resources available for those interested in joining. Sam offers valuable information on scouting opportunities and how listeners can connect with their local scouting council.

Guest: Sam Thompson, CEO of Circle Ten Council Boy Scouts of America

Website: circleten.org
Instagram: circletencouncil

Ryan and Shawn catch up with Nicole Brewer and Ross Mulford of Classic Whimsy, the nation's leading e-commerce provider of classic children's clothing. Nicole shares about the history of the company, and the recent rebranding and Ross dives into the growing e-commerce landscape in North Texas. To learn more about Classic Whimsy visit www.classicwhimsy.com.