What does it take to build lasting economic power and civic influence in a major American city? On this episode of Making Black History Today, two of Dallas’s most respected leaders—Albert C. Black Jr. and Charles O’Neal—share a deep and candid look into Black leadership, entrepreneurship, and community legacy.

Albert Black Jr., the first Black Chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber, and Charles O’Neal, President of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce, discuss their decades-long impact on Dallas’s economic development. They break down why Black Chambers of Commerce remain essential, how Black business owners can build long-term economic strength, and why understanding Dallas’s full history is key to shaping its future.

This episode is a masterclass in civic power, economic strategy, and community excellence.

Key Moments:
3:19 — Why a Black Chamber of Commerce is necessary today
20:30 — A mindset for success: “Not watching the doors closing behind us”
30:25 — A memorable story about Albert Black Jr.
46:26 — Why Pan-Africanism escapes definition in our community
56:41 — What “Making Black History Today” means to you

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