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Big Thought
Chris Gannett [Photo: Dallas Regional Chamber]
The Last Word: Dreams Experience Academy President on The D.O.C. and What Dallas Needs Now
by Quincy Preston | Apr 8, 2025
“Welcome to the private debut of the Dreams Experience Academy—or as we call it, somewhat provocatively, DEA,” said Chris Gannett at the launch event at the Kessler in Oak Cliff last week.
The student-powered, purpose-driven nonprofit, co-founded by hip-hop icon The D.O.C., aims to unlock creative talent and open doors into the $3 trillion media, entertainment, and tech economy.
by Glenn Hunter |
Apr 8, 2025
Hip-hop legend and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tracy “The D.O.C.” Curry starred last week at an Oak Cliff launch event for his Dreams Experience Academy. The pioneering nonprofit hopes to help under-championed students stay in school and lead measurable change in high-growth industries like media, technology, and entertainment. Among its high-profile partners so far are the T.D. Jakes Foundation, the Dallas Regional Chamber, and Taylor Sheridan's Bosque Ranch Productions.
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by David Seeley |
Mar 6, 2025
Dallas-based Big Thought is one of two nonprofits who have each received a $1.5 million grant from Sam’s Club, part of a $3 million investment to help youth, aged 16-24, who are out of school and unemployed by providing them with meaningful career pathways.
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by Lance Murray |
Mar 6, 2025
The grant to Big Thought is part of a $3 million investment to help youth, aged 16-24, who are out of school and unemployed by providing them with meaningful career pathways.
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Part of the campaign for Dallas' "A Maverick, Can-Do Spirit" branding. [Images: Visit Dallas]
Visit Dallas Unveils City’s ‘Maverick, Can‑Do’ New Destination Brand
by David Seeley | Mar 28, 2024
Dallas has never had a "unified brand," Visit Dallas says. The newly announced one—A Maverick, Can-Do Spirit—replaces clichéd Texas stereotypes with a big dash of "diversity, dynamism, and swagger."
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by Lance Murray |
Oct 12, 2023
The Dallas Foundation, in partnership with Lyda Hill Philanthropies, handed out $455K in "pay it forward" grants to Water Cooler at Pegasus Park nonprofits. The unique investments aimed to kickstart change—the kind that shows teamwork can multiply impact.
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by Lance Murray |
Feb 15, 2023
The annual event benefiting the Dallas-based impact education nonprofit will honor creative visionaries and community leaders for their commitment to BIG ideas and their Big Thought Impact. The BIG NIGHT will be held March 4 at The Factory in Deep Ellum.
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by Lance Murray |
Feb 3, 2023
Big Thought, a Dallas-based impact education nonprofit and accessories retail giant Fossil Group are hosting the community arts event Works of Heart on Feb. 9 at Fossil’s headquarters in Richardson....
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Dr. Mustapha Beydoun brings "20 years of international operations experience and a passion for socially conscious solutions to the team," according to Big Thought. [Photo: Big Thought]
Education Nonprofit Big Thought Names New Chief Operating Officer
by Lance Murray | Jan 25, 2023
Mustapha Beydoun has been named chief operating officer of Dallas-based Big Thought, an impact education nonprofit.
Beydoun will partner with Big Thought CEO Byron Sanders in this role leading key departments across the organization, including finance, people and culture, information technology, and operations.
“Dr. Beydoun’s passion for fueling teamwork combined with his reputation for approaching the complexity of an organization with a people-centered focus make him the right leader to take the helm as COO,” Sanders said in a statement....
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by Lance Murray |
Jan 18, 2023
The grants will support 20 Dallas nonprofits that offer a wide range of programs, including high nutritional foods for senior households, family mental health services, scholarships for Oak Cliff high school students, parent peer mentoring, team sports and life skills building for girls in Southern Dallas, and more.
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by Kevin Cummings |
May 17, 2022
The multi-floor space for nonprofits, philanthropies, and social impact organizations now has 26 tenants with around 500 employees. The six new ones range from the Nature Conservancy of Texas to the Lone Star Justice Alliance to SWAN Impact Network and more.
“This dream of ours just keeps getting bigger and better,” says Lyda Hill, founder of Lyda Hill Philanthropies.
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by Quincy Preston |
Oct 14, 2021
The Water Cooler at Pegasus Park—the largest shared nonprofit space in Texas — is a place designed to accelerate impact, together.
From Big Thought to SVP Dallas to The Trust for Public Land, the 15 ‘exceptional nonprofits' were picked after an application process last summer. They’ll join Water Cooler's five founding tenants.
From Big Thought to SVP Dallas to The Trust for Public Land, the 15 ‘exceptional nonprofits' were picked after an application process last summer. They’ll join Water Cooler's five founding tenants.
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Jennifer Chandler is the Dallas market president for Bank of America. [Photo: Courtesy Bank of America]
Bank of America Is Making a $920K Investment in North Texas Nonprofits to Advance Economic Equity
by Alex Edwards | Oct 19, 2020
In North Texas, the grants will go to Boys and Girls Clubs of Tarrant, Collin, and Dallas Counties, and Big Thought. The $920,000 is part of a four-year, $1 billion commitment Bank of America is making to foster workforce readiness and development in low-to-moderate-income communities.
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by Alex Edwards |
Sep 1, 2020
The combination of two pandemics—one centered on a virus and the other on race—has led to a pivotal point in history. Dallas Startup Week's Social Impact Track tackles the question of how this year's events could lead to meaningful and lasting change.
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by Michael Wood |
Aug 6, 2020
When there’s no “objectively right or wrong answer,” what’s a parent to do? Dallas medical, mental health, and tech leaders discuss key back-to-school considerations.
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by Alex Edwards |
Apr 27, 2020
The Dallas City of Learning Digital Explorations platform presents hundreds of free programs for parents to access while students are learning from home.
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