AT A GLANCE: COMMUNIT Y CENTER IMPACT FedListens at St. Philip’s On February 25th, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas held its inaugural community listening session in southern Dallas – FedListens – at St. Philip’s School and Community Center. Sr. Vice President, Alfreda Norman spearheaded the event that included presentations from various representatives
from
South
Dallas
organizations and initiatives such as Miles of Freedom, The Senior Source, Cornerstone Baptist Church, North Texas Food Bank, On
“We have a goal of being a leading citizen in the
the Road Lending, and Baylor Scott & White Health and
communities we serve,” shared Kaplan. “We want to help
Wellness Center. President and CEO of Federal Reserve
provide better access to financial services, college readiness,
Bank of Dallas, Robert Kaplan, and Richard H. Clarida,
and education. We don’t have inclusive prosperity in our
Vice Chair of the Board of Governors, were present to
city. We are ready to move beyond numbers and statistics.”
listen and respond to questions and issues raised during the session. According to Ms. Norman, the purpose of FedListens is to learn how the Fed can collaborate more with the community.
"We are ready to move beyond numbers and statistics.”
St. Philip’s very own George T. Lee Jr. Principal, Kellee Murrell, presented. She spoke of the critical need for intentional educational investment in South Dallas schools – public, private, and charter. “What will become of these lost Einsteins if we don’t adequately support them?”, she asked. “We must show empathy, not pity to children in under-resourced schools and communities.” Tahvia Merrill with Miles of Freedom shared that the South Dallas community has remained resilient despite adversity. She posed a powerful question to the Fed, asking how South Dallas might transition from a community that is surviving to one that is thriving. “South Dallas is full of proud, working people. They are demanding a voice at the table,” she said. Through expanded, strategic collaborations with the Fed and other southern sector organizations, St. Philip’s hopes to continue to be a part of the equation in helping to ensure South Dallas truly thrives for generations to come.
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SUMMER MAGAZINE 2019
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