St. Philip’s School and Community Center revitalizes South Dallas by transforming businesses and keeping spaces affordable for entrepreneurs.
DALLAS — Change is inevitable and resident Kevin Brown has seen South Dallas during its highs and lows.
“When I was born here, the area was pristine,” said Brown. “There was a period where it became dilapidated. Houses over time deteriorated.”
Brown knew that if he wanted to see change — he’d have to be part of it.
“Let’s start with where we are,” said Brown inside a business on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
St. Philip’s School and Community Center bought the properties from Holmes St. to Colonial Ave. and have been transforming the corridor.
“Progress is coming, gentrification is coming,” said Nicole Raphiel, St. Philip’s Community Development Project Manager.
How do you revitalize and not displace?
“The building we’re sitting in right now is an old former liquor store. So we’ve been transforming unhealthy use businesses into healthy use businesses,” said Raphiel.
St. Philips has been making brick-and-mortar spots affordable for entrepreneurs. Brown’s business, Simply Custom, developed several businesses such as Ruthie’s Café and The Hub, a workspace for entrepreneurs.
The corridor also has MY (Mine and Yours) Barbershop and the soon-to-be Sweet and Chill, an ice cream and dessert shop. The owners, Nick and Keisha Reeder, expanded their Frios Gourmet Pops food truck to the brick-and-mortar location.
“Just the reality of small businesses like us being able to kind of get into communities, and have the opportunity to afford it and maintain the business is huge,” said Nick Reeder.
As a community, they are carrying a legacy. It is a legacy of the change they want to see.
“My children, my grandchildren will see this. It’s a blessing for South Dallas,” said Brown.
