There’s something powerful about a handshake that becomes a seven-year commitment. On June 11, in the heart of South Dallas’ Redbird neighborhood, two organizations formalized what many consider a game-changing partnership for minority entrepreneurship in North Texas.
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center — now officially “The DEC Network Sponsored by Charles Schwab Bank” — unveiled new signage that represents far more than a naming rights deal. It’s a declaration of intent, a promise to more than 9,000 entrepreneurs annually, and a testament to what happens when financial giants meet grassroots innovation.
“We’re here for a reason,” declared Irvin Ashford Jr., Schwab’s Head of Fair and Responsible Banking, as community leaders gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. His words carried weight beyond corporate speak — they reflected a growing understanding that true community investment requires showing up, staying put, and building relationships that outlast quarterly earnings reports.
The story begins with Chuck Schwab himself, who democratized investing more than five decades ago by bringing Wall Street to Main Street. Today, that same spirit of accessibility drives Charles Schwab Bank’s CEO Paul Woolway as he looks across the bustling Redbird corridor.
But this isn’t just about corporate legacy — it’s about the entrepreneurs who call South Dallas home. At the event, Teatro Cafe founder Alyssa Azcarte and Revival Trucking founder Jillian Williams shared their journeys, their struggles, and their victories. Their stories illuminate why this partnership matters beyond the press releases and ribbon ceremonies.
“Being an entrepreneur is a really lonely business,” explains DEC CEO Bill Chinn, whose words resonate with anyone who’s ever built something from nothing. “You start out slaving away on your kitchen table, and even when you start getting successful, you feel alone out there. When we can show that the community supports entrepreneurs and wants them to be successful, it makes a big difference.”
The partnership addresses a fundamental challenge in entrepreneurship: the gap between brilliant ideas and financial literacy. “The money enables us to give all of our resources for free to any entrepreneur,” Chinn notes. “Sometimes, our extremely talented entrepreneurs, understandably, have a hard time grasping all the finances. They may be extremely talented entrepreneurs or founders, but Charles Schwab can come in and help them make that part easy.”
Betting on Dallas and Redbird
This collaboration isn’t happening in a vacuum. Charles Schwab’s 2021 relocation from San Francisco to Westlake represented more than a corporate move — it was a bet on Texas, on Dallas-Fort Worth’s economic dynamism, and on the communities that make this region unique. Four years later, that bet is paying dividends not just for shareholders, but for entrepreneurs who previously lacked access to financial education and mentorship.
The DEC Network’s impact extends far beyond individual success stories. Since 2013, the organization has been integral to the Redbird revival, transforming what was once a struggling mall into a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The corridor now hosts shops, restaurants, medical clinics, and countless small businesses — each representing someone’s dream realized.
“We partner with nonprofit organizations like the DEC Network to optimize the impact that we have in our communities,” Woolway emphasizes. This approach reflects a broader understanding that sustainable growth requires authentic community engagement, not just charitable contributions.
As Ashford reminded the crowd, “Don’t look for the logo — look for us. We’re the logo!” It’s a reminder that the most meaningful partnerships aren’t built on branding, but on people showing up consistently, offering expertise, and believing in potential even when the balance sheet doesn’t yet reflect it.
Building the infrastructure to sustain dreams
In Redbird, that transformation is visible in every new storefront, every business plan refined through DEC programming, and every entrepreneur who no longer feels alone at their kitchen table. This partnership isn’t just about financial services — it’s about building the infrastructure that turns dreams into sustainable businesses, and sustainable businesses into community anchors.
Sometimes the most profound changes happen quietly, in neighborhoods that don’t make headlines, through partnerships that prioritize impact over recognition. The DEC Network and Charles Schwab Bank are writing that story together, one entrepreneur at a time.
