Equitable Cities IV: How the Business Community Impacts City Development

Navigating the infrastructure, land and relationships in construction. Host Adam Morrisey interviews global leaders in the built environment exploring the people, ideas and innovations guiding the construction and civil engineering industries into the future.

 

On this episode of Dirt Work, we concluded our Equity Cities mini-series by discussing the role that the business community plays in the development of our cities with Dallas Regional Chamber (“DRC”) executives Tosha Herron-Bruff and Jared Fitzpatrick. The Dallas Regional Chamber is one of the most established business organizations in the nation and serves as the voice of business and the champion of economic development and growth in the Dallas Region. Tosha and Jared lead the Chamber’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts.

Jared and Tosha discussed the key role that chamber organizations around the country serve in promoting and supporting the business community. The Dallas Chamber works with member companies and regional partners to strengthen our business community by advocating for pro-growth public policies, improving our educational system, attracting talented workers from around the world, and enhancing the quality of life for all. With the DRC’s newly launched initiatives in equity and inclusion, Tosha and Jared support area businesses making contributions to the wellbeing of the region as well as educating other businesses of their responsibility to contribute to building equitable cities. The Chamber aims to make the region a better place for all people to live, work and do business.

The business community benefits their immediate and surrounding areas in many ways:

  1. Attracting talented employees to live in particular regions.
  2. Through the development of districts and/or infrastructure to attract and retain talent, as well as contribute to the livability and business friendliness of the region.
  3. Through the commitment to the welfare of the cities through non-profit, philanthropic, and community-oriented initiatives.

For listeners interested in learning more about the work that the DRC is doing and trends related to diversity, inclusion, and equity, Tosha and Jared recommend keeping up with Dallas Regional Chamber and Dallas Innovates.

Catch Up on Past Episodes of Dirt Work!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

safety
Safety, Pride & Zero Defects: The New Standard in Construction Excellence
November 13, 2025

In an era when construction headlines often center on delays, overruns, and litigation, the companies that quietly build with integrity are shaping the industry’s future in far more meaningful ways. The most enduring structures aren’t defined merely by their materials but by the standards and culture behind them—standards that treat quality not as…

Read More
Startup
Turning Corporate Discipline into Startup Momentum: The New Blueprint for Modern Marketing Leadership
November 12, 2025

As the business landscape grows faster and more unpredictable, marketing leaders who can balance the discipline of big-company strategy with the scrappiness of startups are redefining what modern leadership looks like. Brian Fravel’s journey from global tech giant Intel to high-growth SaaS and cybersecurity companies highlights how adaptability, curiosity, and hands-on execution drive success across…

Read More
Adrienne Mageors
Allowing Purpose to Lead: Adrienne Mageors on Building a Career Grounded in Inclusion and Community Impact
November 12, 2025

Sometimes, purpose finds you when you least expect it. For Adrienne Mageors, it came in the form of a question she couldn’t ignore—one that pulled her out of corporate marketing and into a life of service and inclusion. What began as a career pivot became something bigger: a mission to build spaces where every…

Read More
college
The New Playbook for College ROI: Podium Education’s Scalable Model for Real-World Learning
November 12, 2025

The debate around the return on investment (ROI) of a four-year degree has reached a fever pitch. As tuition costs rise and employers question the value of traditional credentials, higher education leaders are rethinking how to make college more career-relevant. Experiential learning—work-based and project-based education embedded within curricula—is emerging as one of the most promising…

Read More