Hey y’all and thanks for tuning in to another episode of Topic: North Texas. This week, I was joined by JoAnn Malone, President and CEO of the Greater Keller Chamber of Commerce. During our conversation, JoAnn shared the creative ways the Chamber has supported the Keller business community since the outbreak of the coronavirus. From helping local restaurants to creating a grant program, the Greater Keller Chamber continues to prove that together we are better.

Sponsored by Dallas College.

On episode 30 of Topic: North Texas, we are joined by Ken McNeeley, President of AT&T’s Western Region, for a conversation on his professional experiences and his ideas on how companies as well as employees can improve equity and inclusion in the workplace. Under Ken’s leadership, AT&T has elevated its support in the local LGBTQ community in ways that places it far and above other companies. From supporting the Equality California Leadership Academy to founding the LGBT Walk of Fame, Ken continues to work tirelessly to ensure AT&T continues to be a corporate leader when it comes to all aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Sponsored by Dallas College

On episode 29 of Topic: North Texas, we are joined by David Coale, an appellate attorney and partner for Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann, who provides an in-depth look at the Trump Administration's Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. During the conversation, Coale discusses Barrett's career as a law professor and appellate judge, what he expects to see during the Senate hearings, and if confirmed, what impacts Barrett could have as a Supreme Court Justice.

Sponsored by Dallas College

On episode 28 of Topic: North Texas, we were joined by Irene Whiteside, a pianist located In Arlington, Texas. Irene sat down to discuss her career as a pianist and her upcoming performance for the PianoLink International Competition. Irene, originally from Canada, has been playing the piano since she was 4 years old. She attended the University of Calgary and received a scholarship for extended study in Salzburg, Austria. There, she studied under conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt, an expert on early music up to Mozart. Upon graduating, she taught piano at Mount Royal University and Calgary and performed across the country. Irene eventually re-located to Texas and after a 17 year absence from the piano, Irene began entering competitions.

Help Irene win the Audience Appreciation Award for the PianoLink Competition, by liking Irene's performance video on Youtube. 

Sponsored by Dallas College.

On episode 27 of Topic: North Texas, I sat down with Partner Bruce Hendrick and Associate Ted Harrington with Carrington Coleman to learn more about the CRF Funds and the rules laid out by the treasury department. During our conversation, they explained how the $150 billion dollar Coronavirus Relief Fund has helped and continues to help municipalities across North Texas recover from the economic impact of the Coronavirus.

Sponsored by Dallas College

On episode 26 of Topic: North Texas, we are joined by a public school special education teacher. During our conversation, she shared how COVID-19 impacted her students with special needs. As the upcoming school year approaches, she shared how her district is preparing for in-person instruction and how her department has had to shift from very hands on instruction to one that will accommodate for social distancing.

Thank you to our sponsor. 

On episode 25 of Topic: North Texas, Linda Goelzer, director of public relations for Carter BloodCare, joined us to discuss the effects COVID-19 has had on the blood supply in North Texas. During the conversation, Goelzer explained how Carter BloodCare has adjusted their donation process to accommodate for social distancing and keep donors safe.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Dallas County Community College District. 

On episode 24 of Topic: North Texas, we sat down with Zaira Garcia, Texas State Director for FWD.US a bipartisan political organization working to improve the country's criminal justice and immigration systems. During the conversation, Zaira provided us with an update on DACA and the uncertainty Dreamers are currently facing while awaiting the Supreme Court's ruling.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Dallas County Community College District. 

On episode 23 of Topic: North Texas, Dallas Independent School District (DISD) Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa spoke with us about the launch of Operation Connectivity. As school districts began to close following the COVID-19 outbreak, students shifted to online learning. While DISD was able to provide students with the proper electronic devices, many of them still lacked the ability to connect to the internet. In an attempt to solve the need for broadband connectivity, Dr. Hinojosa launched Operation Connectivity.

On episode 22 of Topic: North Texas, we sat down with Charlene Stark, the strategic initiatives consultant for the North Texas Commission, to discuss how the region has come together to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. From teaming up with community partners to hosting virtual meetings with state and local lawmakers, the North Texas Commission has been working tirelessly to make sure our region gets through these trying times.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Dallas County Community College District.