Rickie Clark, executive director of My Brother’s Keeper, joins Ty Stimpson to share how growing up on the South Side of Chicago shaped his lifelong commitment to young people. From becoming a father at a young age to leaving Chicago for Jarvis Christian College, Rickie reflects on the experiences that changed the trajectory of his life and why he has spent decades giving young people the exposure, mentorship, and guidance he wishes he had growing up.

Rickie discusses his journey from earning a mathematics degree and tutoring students to working in juvenile justice, alternative education, and youth development. He explains how My Brother’s Keeper in Fort Worth built brotherhood, accountability, historical knowledge, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, academic achievement, and community involvement into its approach to mentoring young men.

The conversation also explores what Rickie sees as a shortage of accessible youth programs in Fort Worth, why exposure can transform what young people believe is possible, and his vision for a community-supported “youth village” where young people can find mentors, counseling, career skills, education, and new experiences. For Rickie, the ultimate legacy is not simply the work he has done, it is preparing another generation to carry it forward.

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Dee Lara, project manager of the Historic North Side District, joins Ty Stimpson to discuss the work underway to preserve the culture and character of one of Fort Worth’s most significant neighborhoods while preparing it for future growth. D. shares her own story of spending part of her childhood in Mexico City before growing up in Fort Worth, and how her immigrant parents instilled the values of hard work, perseverance, family, and lifting others up.

The conversation explores the Historic North Side District’s approach to commercial corridor revitalization and the challenge of ensuring longtime residents and businesses benefit as development continues around them. Dee explains why concerns about displacement became central to the project, how community trust and participation are shaping its direction, and why successful revitalization requires more than simply attracting new development.

Dee also discusses new investment along North Main Street, opportunities for small businesses, the importance of preserving the neighborhood’s Hispanic culture, and her hope that the North Side can grow without losing what has made it special for generations. At the heart of the work is a larger question facing rapidly growing communities: How do you welcome progress without leaving the people who built the neighborhood behind?

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Sabrina Connor, president of Women in Power Empowering, joins Ty Stimpson to discuss how her upbringing in Fort Worth, the strength of her family and community, and becoming a young mother shaped her commitment to helping other women move forward. Sabrina shares how the people who poured into her taught her that circumstances do not have to determine your future and why building a strong village can make all the difference.

The conversation explores the mission and growth of Women in Power Empowering, a grassroots giving organization supporting women, nonprofits, and small businesses in Tarrant County. Sabrina discusses the organization's evolution from providing temporary financial assistance to grantmaking, professional certification support, nonprofit capacity building, and business empowerment. She also reflects on the challenges facing Black women, the importance of pairing compassion with resources, and what Fort Worth can do to better support Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

Sabrina also shares her vision for the organization's long-term legacy: planting seeds that eventually grow into businesses, leaders, and organizations that strengthen the community for generations to come.

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Fred Rouse III joins Ty Stimpson to share how a phone call in 2020 revealed a part of his family history he had never known. At 46 years old, Fred learned that his grandfather and namesake, Fred Rouse, had been the victim of a racial terror lynching in Fort Worth in 1921. The discovery changed the direction of his life and gave new meaning to the name he had carried for decades.

Fred reflects on processing the anger, grief, and responsibility that came with learning his grandfather's story, as well as discovering relatives he never knew existed. He explains how that history led him to work with the Tarrant County Coalition for Peace and Justice and help develop the Mr. Fred Rouse Memorial on the land where his grandfather was killed.

The conversation also explores faith, perseverance, reconciliation, the meaning Fred now finds in his family name, and his commitment to transforming a place associated with racial violence into a space centered on peace, remembrance, love, and acceptance.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who would find it valuable. New episodes of Take This Down with Ty Stimpson are released regularly.

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On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Lauren King, Executive Director of Partnership Homes, to discuss homelessness, affordable housing, and the collaborative efforts working to create lasting solutions across Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

Lauren shares her journey from growing up in Fort Worth to finding her calling in social work and eventually leading Partnership Homes, formerly known as the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition. She discusses how faith, optimism, and a passion for serving others continue to shape her leadership and vision for the future.

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On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Rodney McIntosh, founder and executive director of VIP Fort Worth, for a powerful conversation about growing up in inner-city Fort Worth, overcoming trauma, and transforming pain into purpose.

Rodney shares his journey from gang involvement and instability as a young man to becoming a pastor, community leader, and advocate working to break cycles of violence. He discusses how the loss of his brother and cousin to violence fueled his mission to help young men find a different path.

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On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Marcus Hudson to discuss growing up in Como, the importance of preserving community history, and the work being done to build a stronger future for generations to come.

Marcus shares how his upbringing balanced the values of education, family, and accountability while navigating the realities of growing up in a historic Fort Worth neighborhood. He reflects on lessons learned, the responsibility of giving back, and why understanding a community's history is essential to protecting its future.

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On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Sharon Herrera, founder of LGBTQ Saves, and board member Candice Puente for a powerful and emotional conversation about creating safe spaces for LGBTQ youth.

Sharon shares her personal journey growing up in Texas without resources or affirmation and how a single affirming adult saved her life. After witnessing a rise in LGBTQ teen suicides, she founded LGBTQ Saves to ensure no child feels that suicide is the only option.

Candice reflects on growing up in Fort Worth, finding her voice, and why being part of this organization matters deeply to her, especially for the next generation.

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On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Jarred Howard, executive leading the development of the National Juneteenth Museum, for a powerful conversation about legacy, faith, and economic transformation in Fort Worth.

Jarred reflects on growing up in Stop Six, his family lineage tracing back to Amanda Davis (the first Black property owner in the community) and how pride in Fort Worth shaped his calling to preserve Black culture and history.

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On this episode of Take This Down, Ty Stimpson sits down with Rachel Capua, Vice President of External Operations and Dean of the Fort Worth campus at Tarleton State University, for a conversation about education, opportunity, and transformational leadership.

Rachel shares how growing up in a family that valued persistence and second chances shaped her belief in the power of higher education. As a second-generation college graduate, she reflects on the influence of her parents, her early desire to become a teacher, and how those roots ultimately led her to leadership in higher education.

The conversation dives into Tarleton State’s bold Fort Worth master plan — an 80-acre vision designed to serve thousands of students in the years ahead.

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