Ken Smith is President of Revitalize South Dallas Coalition, a non-profit that champions economic development, job creation, and workforce development in South Dallas, a historic, yet low-income community immediately south of Downtown Dallas. Ken is also the owner of Holistic Investments, a small, real estate investment company that acquires, renovates, leases and manages residential properties in underserved communities. Ken and RSDC have been instrumental in expanding broadband and cell phone services in South Dallas; recruiting drivers and passengers for Uber in South Dallas; instrumental in developing South Dallas urban agriculture efforts; and in privatizing Fair Park, the nation’s largest assemblage of art deco buildings, which also serves as home to the State Fair of Texas. Professionally, Ken was Director of Corporate Communications for Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas, and Kaiser Permanente, Texas; and a former television and radio talent and producer.
Ken Smith is a member of the Dallas Economic Opportunity Leadership Academy, Class of 2019-2020, one of several Workforce Leadership Academies in localities across North America.
The Workforce Leadership Academies are part of the Economic Opportunity Fellows Network, a network of leadership and fellowship programs run by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program. Within this Network, EOP connects national and local leaders from across sectors — nonprofit, government, business, philanthropy, academia, and more — to advance policies and practices with the potential to help low- and moderate-income Americans thrive in today’s economy. Learn more at as.pn/eofn.
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