Social Venture Partners Dallas

🎉 Celebrating Innovation at bigBANG! 2024's Fast Pitch Competition 🎉 The Fast Pitch Competition at #bigBANG2024 highlighted innovation, passion, and solutions addressing some of the most pressing community challenges. Each finalist brought insights and actionable strategies to the stage, ranging from affordable housing and disability support to college access and self-sufficiency. The $25,000 investment award went to Trailblazer, represented by Jeff Cott, for its work in rebuilding community capital to expand college access for first-generation students. Trailblazer is committed to creating new pathways to higher education, helping underserved students realize their potential by providing the support and resources they need to succeed. This investment will enable Trailblazer to further develop its programs and extend its reach, paving the way for a more equitable future in education. In addition to the grand prize, each of the other inspiring finalists received a $1,000 grant from Opus Faveo Innovation Development to support their impactful work: Dr. Michael Barnes 🏡 presented Viva Benefits, a network of affordable housing designed to foster resident stability and well-being. By offering essential resident benefits, Viva not only supports individuals but strengthens communities Vahid Behzadi introduced Pocket Case Manager, Inc. an innovative mobile tool revolutionizing disability case management. Pocket’s user-friendly design empowers both individuals with disabilities and case managers, making it easier to access resources, track progress, and ensure a higher quality of support Cece Rockwell, with SelfSuffi showcased a mission to empower individuals with the tools and resources needed to achieve self-sufficiency. By emphasizing the potential within every person, SelfSuffi is inspiring transformation at the individual and community levels. These awards celebrate not only the innovative ideas of each finalist but also their dedication to creating positive change. We congratulate Trailblazer on winning the top prize and all of the finalists for their contributions and vision for the future. Congratulations to all competitors for the incredible work they are doing! 👏

“The money myths end here. We don’t need to choose between creating wealth for ourselves and supporting movements for a better tomorrow. Financial activism shows us how to do both.” -Jasmine Rashid, author of The Financial Activist Playbook At bigBANG! 2024, financial activism took center stage, featuring a conversation between Jasmine Rashid and Krys Boyd, host of KERA’s Think. This discussion, part of a live recording for the Think radio program, shed light on the transformative power of money in building a more equitable economy. #bigBANG2024 #FinancialActivism

Capping off our first day of bigBANG! 2024, a panel of thoughtful leaders took the main stage to explore the intersection of soul, society, and technology. Moderated by Robert Hunt, Director of Global Theological Education at Perkins School of Theology - SMU, the discussion reflected on how our shared humanity—empathy, creativity, and the need for connection—guides us through an ever-changing, increasingly digital world. Panelists Rev. Dr. Irie L. Session (CEO of DreamBig Coaching & Consulting), Rev. Mitchell Boone (Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church), Chris Duffy (Comedian, Television Writer, and Radio/Podcast Host), and Naisha Randhar (Youth Poet Laureate of Dallas) shared thoughtful perspectives on how we can stay grounded and connected in the face of rapid technological and societal shifts. The conversation sparked meaningful reflection on what it means to be human in today’s world. #bigBANG2024

The breakout sessions from day #1 of bigBANG! 2024 offered from a diverse panel of speakers who shared their expertise on economics, design, and future values. Cullum Clark, Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, presented "An Economist’s Perspective," challenging us to rethink economics as a human-centered discipline that reveals both the challenges and potential of our world. Jessica Burnham, Director of Design and Innovation Programs at Southern Methodist University, led an engaging session on "Human-Centered Design for Social Impact," demonstrating how creative problem-solving can drive meaningful, real-world change. Mark C. Hand, Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington, discussed the "Future of Work," exploring how evolving work patterns and technology will reshape the workforce. Casey Rogers, Advisor at Daughters for Earth, explored "New Values for the 21st Century," asking how nature and future generations can guide us in adapting our value systems for modern challenges. Did you attend one of these breakout sessions? What was your biggest takeaway? Share your thoughts! #bigBANG2024

Opening day 2 of SVP Dallas' #bigBANG2024 conference, Cynthia Muller, Director of Mission Driven Investments at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, joined SVP Dallas Partner Donovan Ervin,for a fireside chat on her impactful journey through tribal healthcare and social investment. Cynthia shared her work in Alaska, where she helped blend traditional healing practices with Western medicine to serve Alaska Native and American Indian communities. At the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Cynthia advances racial equity in impact investing, guiding fund managers with a non-prescriptive approach that leverages questions to foster equitable practices. Initiatives like Expanding Equity, now reaching over 3 million employees, embed equity into corporate operations, reflecting Kellogg’s long-term commitment to impactful, inclusive investments. #bigbang2024

Yesterday, we kicked off #bigBANG2024 at Paul Quinn College with event co-chairs Michael Iyescas and Donovan Ervin. Attendees gathered for a series of keynotes, breakout sessions, and discussions designed to drive social change. The first session, "Fostering the Human Need for Connection and Purpose in a Digital World," featured Yutaka Tamura, Founding Executive Director of nXu Education. Tamura led a compelling discussion on how, in today’s increasingly digital landscape, we can still nurture our innate human need for connection and purpose. Tamura emphasized, “What makes us human is our deep yearning for connection and belonging and our intrinsic need for a sense of purpose.” His interactive session encouraged participants to reflect on their own lives while exploring practical strategies to strengthen personal connections and foster a collective sense of belonging. In a world often dominated by technology, Tamura’s insights reminded us of the importance of cultivating meaningful human relationships.

Last night, we gathered to honor the incredible sponsors who make #bigBANG2024 possible. The reception marked a strong kickoff to the conference, filled with new connections, old friends, and a shared commitment to driving social innovation in Dallas. Thank you to all who support this vital work—we couldn’t do it without you.

Thank you to Wissem Amari Sinatra and Mark Sinatra, Philanthropy Southwest, and Hip Hop Caucus for supporting bigBANG! 2024 as Micro Sponsors. To register for this week's event, visit www.bigbangtx.com or join us tomorrow morning for in-person registration. #socialinnovation #bigBANGTX #bigBANG24 #socialimpact #conference

Thank you to Gwen Echols, Jennifer Owen, Robert Appel, and the Mary Jalonick Advised Fund at The Dallas Foundation for supporting bigBANG! 2024 as Paul Quinn Student Sponsors. To register for this week's event, visit www.bigbangtx.com or join us tomorrow morning for in-person registration. #socialinnovation #bigBANGTX #bigBANG24 #socialimpact #conference #dallas #dfw #texas #ai #equity #impact #innovation #impactinvesting #bigBANG2024 #socialimpact #investmentforgood #missiondriven #sustainablefinance #investinchange

Join us tomorrow for the largest social innovation conference in North Texas, which will run from Thursday, October 24th, through the 25th. Visit bigbangtx.com to register now! #socialinnovation #bigBANGTX #bigBANG24 #socialimpact #conference #dallas #dfw #texas #ai #equity #impact #innovation #impactinvesting #bigBANG2024 #socialimpact #investmentforgood #missiondriven #sustainablefinance #investinchange The Dallas Foundation Paul Quinn College Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas PRX