Jun 25, 2009

Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 void of Young Black Business Talent

Categories: African-American, Business, Dallas, Featured
Written By: Shawn Williams

I find it odd that the Dallas Business Journal has compiled a list for their 40 under Forty Award that has zero African-American Males and zero African-American Females. I wasn’t able to get my hands on a physical copy of the journal which dropped yesterday (sold out), but I did click on all 40 names listed which included pictures, and there was no (visible) African-American representation on the list.

I find it interesting that D CEO has executive Gail Warrior-Lawrence (Warrior Group) on this month’s cover for their Super Entrepreneurs issue. Warrior doesn’t look a day over 30, but I’m not revealing her age. The point is there are black business people out there to highlight in such a way.

Maybe DBJ is holding out some of their good young candidates for the Minority Business Leader Awards. I can’t tell you, I’m just reporting what I saw when I clicked on the award winners.

According to the Dallas Biz Journal Website, they are already looking for solicitations for next year’s list. Here’s the call as it appears on the site:

In 2010, the Dallas Business Journal will once again seek highly accomplished executives and entrepreneurs under the age of 40 for our 40 Under Forty Awards program.

To qualify, candidates must be 39 years old or younger as of June 30, 2010, and have a proven track record in both business and community involvement.

We are looking for executives who really shine — innovators, dealmakers, influential leaders who excel in their respective companies and industries, and show dynamic leadership in their communities.

Apparently there were no Black innovators, no Black dealmakers, no Black executives that “really shine” and are under 40. Or maybe there were no black folks nominated. I know of at least one person who was, but I guess they didn’t make the cut.

Am I offended by the Dallas Biz list? Not really. But it further illustrates the need for places like Dallas South that helps folks see the overlooked portions of our community.

And it illustrates what’s being lost in the dire state of Black media outlets like Ebony and Jet. So stop emailing me about how I’m racist for having a site dedicated to the positive portrayal of African-Americans.

Anyway, look for a list from Dallas South that will highlight the under 40 business scene. If you have anyone you would like to nominate, comment on this post and we will consider them.

DALLAS BUSINESS JOURNAL 40 UNDER 40

6 Responses to “Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 void of Young Black Business Talent”

  1. kelwyn hill Says:
    June 25th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    this is something that needed to be
    “exposed”. Dallas Business Journal has
    been called out on this type of bias
    selection practices before. Like yourself
    I know a few brothers and sisters that
    would/should make the list

  2. a lawyer Says:
    June 25th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Nice fact-checking, and way to judge a book by (what you think is) its cover. Should probably pull this down, dig a little deeper, and then correct the record and apologize to Ms. Kedron.

  3. Blog rips Dallas Business Journal for all-white “40 Under 40″ « Biz newz layoffs Says:
    June 25th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    [...] Full story. [...]

  4. Cleva Watson Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    That’s really unfortunate that in this day and age that this type of blatant racism still goes on. Support Black Media Outlets And Support our own.

  5. Rashida Hobbs Says:
    January 17th, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    I find this hurtful and feel as though both D magazine and Dallas Observer should do a better job at bringing awareness to Dallas’ Black entrepreneurs. I am a Black Entrepreneur at the age of 27. To be specific I am an African-American Woman and single parent. I own Pole’iticians Fitness Studio. I teach professional women pole dancing lessons and pole fitness. I offer inspiration to women everyday. My clientele ranges from marketing executives, personal trainers, nurses, entrepreneurs, and the list goes on and on. I am also a teacher that has won Teacher of the Year, Top 25 Teacher in the district of Desoto, PTA Lifetime Award Recipient, and I am a professional motivational speaker. No one has called me or even looked in to my business to highlight my success. However, I challenge D magazine to reach out to me at 214.604.5001

  6. MWBE Marketer Says:
    March 25th, 2010 at 8:01 am

    For those of you that do not know why D Magazine, or most other publications out there for that matter, are not adding you to their latest top business listings - these listings are really more like awards that are based on nominations (either driven by you or someone else). These publications do not usually go out looking for individuals, they post a nomination form and then do their fact checking on only those that are nominated. Many companies have an assistant or other office staff that are dedicated to this type of PR. There are tons of opportunites out there. You have to do the footwork of looking for them and put time into completing the required documentation.

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