In the Black

In Part Two of their conversation, T. Dallas Smith and John Ahmann dive into the leaders, lessons, and life experiences that shaped John’s work across Atlanta. John shares how his time with the Atlanta Olympic Committee taught him the power of bold vision, firm deadlines, and civic leadership. He reflects on learning from figures like Ambassador Andrew Young, Mayor Shirley Franklin, and business l...

For years, the west side of Atlanta faced disinvestment, vacant homes, and families being priced out of the neighborhoods they built. In Part One of this conversation, T. Dallas Smith sits down with John Ahmann, president and CEO of the West Side Future Fund, to break down how one of Atlanta’s most intentional revitalization efforts began and why land ownership sits at the center of long-term equi...

In the second half of this powerful conversation, Richard Slaton is back In the Black to dive deeper into the lessons, values, and mindset that have shaped his impact in real estate, education, and community development. Richard shares the rigorous path to becoming a CCIM Senior Instructor and why it was one of the most rewarding challenges of his career. He opens up about what he instills in his...

In this episode of In the Black, Dallas welcomes longtime friend and powerhouse in real estate and finance, Richard Slaton. As Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase Commercial Bank, Richard brings decades of experience in community development, affordable housing, and mentoring future leaders. He opens up about his journey from a curious 12-year-old in Atlanta to becoming a respected educator and f...

In this continuation of his conversation with Egbert Perry, Dallas delves deeper into Perry's remarkable career and insights on urban development. Perry shares the story of co-founding Integral, a company dedicated to revitalizing urban America, and discusses their groundbreaking work transforming public housing projects into mixed-income communities. Listeners will hear about Perry's influential...

In this episode of In the Black, T. Dallas Smith sits down with Egbert Perry, Chairman & CEO of Integral, a national urban development company. Perry shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Antigua to becoming a leader in urban development and community economic revitalization in the United States.  Listeners will hear about Perry's humble beginnings, his scholarship to an elite New Yo...

In the second half of this compelling episode, the conversation takes a more personal turn as Michael Ford opens up about his upbringing in Alabama and the experiences that have shaped his life journey. He'll share insightful stories about what it was like growing up in the South, providing a window into the values and lessons that laid the foundation for his future success. Ford will also reveal...

On this episode of In the Black, Dallas is joined by Michael Ford, a groundbreaking change agent renowned for seamlessly blending strategy, analysis, and innovative solutions to drive operational excellence. As the Senior Vice President of Global Real Estate and Security at AT&T, Ford oversees a vast portfolio of nearly 200 million square feet while safeguarding the company's valuable assets -...

The conversation takes a profound turn as Dallas and Chris delve into the significance of fostering hope in the younger generation and empowering the leaders of tomorrow. They explore how leaders can play a pivotal role in creating opportunities, providing mentorship, and instilling the values of service and resilience in youth. Chris shares insights from his upbringing and the mentors who inspire...

In the latest installment of In the Black with T. Dallas Smith, the spotlight shines on Chris Womack, the trailblazing Chairman, President, and CEO of Southern Company. Born in humble circumstances in Greenville, Alabama, Chris' remarkable journey has been defined by vision, determination, and an unwavering commitment to service. Over his 30-year tenure at Southern Company, he has consistently bro...

In the second half of this episode, Dallas and Leonte delve into the unique culture at T. Dallas Smith & Company, exploring the values and dynamics that contribute to their success. Leonte Benton opens up about his firsthand experiences and the transformative impact of being part of this esteemed company. A highlight of the episode is Leonte's recounting of his first meeting with T. Dallas Smi...

In this week's "In the Black" episode, T. Dallas Smith explores the realm of commercial real estate alongside the dynamic Leonte Benton, President of T. Dallas Smith & Company. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Benton has orchestrated major transactions with corporate giants like AT&T and Fed-Ex. His inspiring journey from Atlanta showcases resilience and determination. Carving ou...

In part two, Jay shares advice he would give his younger self, emphasizing adaptability while staying grounded in service and positive outcomes for people. Discussing RICE's future success, Jay outlines big visions for expanding the Center's reach and influence. Jay radiates positivity about entrepreneurs transforming communities. His measures of success focus on developing diverse investors, rais...

This week, Dallas is joined by visionary community leader Jay Bailey, the President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. As head of RICE, the world's largest hub empowering black entrepreneurs, Jay has led tremendous growth, supporting over 1,400 jobs and generating $450 million in economic impact for Atlanta. His exceptional leadership in uplifting the community has earned...

Join Dallas in the second part as C. David Moody, Jr. discusses instilling hope in the next generation of African American trailblazers. Explore the core values he envisions for his company's brand and gain insights into the blueprint for success in the construction industry. Don't miss this intimate conversation on leadership, mentorship, and the enduring legacy of a true trailblazer. Subscribe n...

Dallas explores the inspiring journey of C. David Moody, Jr., founder of C.D. Moody Construction. From humble beginnings to pioneering success, discover how David's purpose-driven leadership has not only built an empire but uplifted communities and shaped the next generation of leaders. Tune in for a story of resilience, mentorship, and the true essence of the American Dream. Subscribe, share, and...

After chronicling his inspirational journey to the top, Regynald Washington shares sage advice for navigating life's challenges. When you dare to be different and aim high, there will always be naysayers and haters. Regynald explains how he learned to tune out the negativity and stay focused on his vision. His formula for handling critics with grace and determination provides powerful lessons we c...

From humble beginnings to visionary heights, today we are honored to have a true innovator join us - Mr. Regynald Washington. With strategic insight and unwavering dedication, Regynald has redefined the hospitality and airport dining industries. Regynald's remarkable business acumen and leadership fueled the success of many high-profile brands. His stratospheric success is rooted in humility, and...

In the second half of Dallas's conversation with Mitch Rudin, the Chairman and CEO of Savills North America, Mitch shares more leadership lessons and insights from his illustrious career. He reminds us to ignore generational differences and not get caught up in generalizations. Mitch believes in recognizing people as individuals and playing to their strengths. He also shares advice for aspiring le...

Dallas welcomes Mitch Rudin, Chairman and CEO of Savills North America, to the show. With over three decades as a leader in commercial real estate, Mitch has driven growth and excellence at Savills, Mack-Cali Realty, Brookfield Office Properties, and CBRE. He's built exceptional diverse leadership teams and received honors for his commitment to inclusion. Mitch serves on numerous boards and has be...

In the second half of Dallas's talk with the founder of Haddow & Company, David Haddow, the two discuss the fascinating concept of "mascot years" - the career stage when your reputation precedes you and you're able to leverage your brand, network, and influence for maximum impact. David explains how he's been able to take his personal brand cachet and translate it into opportunities for contin...

Success leaves clues. In this week's episode of In the Black, T. Dallas Smith sits down with real estate titan David Haddow, founder of the renowned Haddow & Company. With over four decades of experience across mortgage banking, city planning, and beyond, David provides rare insights into what it takes to build and sustain a massively successful real estate consulting firm. Having advised on o...

In the conclusion of Dallas's conversation, Young Woo reveals some of his exciting upcoming projects. He gives us an exclusive look at his latest $300 million dollar development, the Radio Hotel and Tower in upper Manhattan. This project will offer a new level of luxury urban living, with 5-star hospitality and high-end residential spaces. He also shares his plans for a new collaboration with T. D...

In this week’s episode of In the Black, host T. Dallas Smith sits down with legendary developer Young Woo. Few have shaped the New York City skyline like Youngwoo & Associates. Young Woo is not your typical developer. He is a creative genius who sees possibilities where others see limitations. He is a risk-taker who embraces challenges and experiments with new ideas. He is a leader who inspire...

Dallas is back with the second and final part of his conversation with Leona Barr-Davenport, the President and CEO of the Atlanta Business League. In this episode, Leona shares some amazing stories and insights from her time working with the legendary Herman Russell, one of the most successful and influential African American entrepreneurs in U.S. history. She also opens up about some of the chall...