💰August is for Black Businesses💰 | |
August is Black Business Month, and we’re proud to support the incredible contributions of Black-owned businesses in our communities. From trailblazing entrepreneurs to resilient small business owners, Black businesses are vital to economic growth and cultural innovation.
Know a member-owned business we should feature? Reply to this newsletter or tag us online!
📣 Let’s celebrate, circulate the Black dollar, and build together. #BlackBusinessMonth #DFWABA
| | Your Voice, Our Future: Town Hall & Packing Party Recap! | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our inaugural DFW-ABA Annual Town Hall Meeting! It was an inspiring afternoon filled with transparent conversations, key organizational updates, and valuable member feedback. Your active participation will shape the future direction and continued impact of DFW-ABA.
Immediately following the Town Hall, members jumped right into our Back-to-School Packing Party, assembling backpacks loaded with essential supplies for local students. The energy, teamwork, and sense of community were incredible—showing once again the power of collective action.
A special thank-you to our gracious hosts, Saville CPAs and Advisors, for welcoming us into their beautiful space. We extend additional gratitude to our Professional Development Director, Synetra Green, whose efforts made this collaboration possible.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage!
| | Back to School Drive-Thru - AUGUST 9TH | |
Don’t forget—DFW-ABA will be showing up in full force on Saturday, August 9th at the annual MLK Back to School Drive-Thru! This is a great chance to give back and help local students start the school year strong with the supplies they need.
📍 Location: 2922 MLK Jr. Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215
🕗 Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Saturday, August 9
Let’s continue building a legacy of service—one student at a time.
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🎓 Reminder: Register for the 2025 Student Symposium
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Calling all students and early career professionals! The 2025 DFW-ABA Student Symposium is around the corner. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with industry professionals who are ready to pour into the next generation of leaders in accounting, finance, and beyond.
Whether you’re a student or recent grad, this event is designed to help you sharpen your skills, expand your network, and explore career pathways that align with your goals.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
📍 Location: Westin Galleria Dallas - 13340 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas, USA, 75240
| | Unified in Purpose: All Proposed Bylaws Amendments Pass | |
✅ Bylaws Update: All Amendments/Policies Approved
Thank you to every member who participated in the recent bylaws amendment vote. We are proud to share that all proposed amendments and policy updates were officially accepted by the membership.
These changes reflect our collective commitment to clarity, sustainability, and stronger governance. Updates include the adoption of electronic voting, formalization of key leadership roles, implementation of term limits, and more.
The updated bylaws will be published soon and shared with all members.
Together, we continue to build a more responsive and resilient DFW-ABA.
| | 🌟 Student Achievement Spotlight 🌟 | |
We’re thrilled to reintroduce Kena Ezumah, a 2024 DFW-ABA Student Scholarship recipient who continues to grow and inspire across industries.
Now a REALTOR® with Keller Williams and a student at UT Austin pursuing a BBA in International Business & Economics, Kena exemplifies the versatility and drive we love to see in our student members. Her journey spans real estate, small business ownership, tax services, and global finance, with recent internships at PGIM Real Estate and Project Destined, and participation in EY's Expedition Program.
Kena’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her jewelry business, Gali Galore, which she started in high school and has used to help fund her education. Her interdisciplinary curiosity and community-centered vision reflect the best of Black excellence and future-focused leadership.
💬 From Kena: “I believe versatility is a strength in self-discovery & I’m intentionally exploring how disciplines like real estate, the arts, and entrepreneurship can intersect to create something meaningful.”
👏🏾 Keep shining, Kena! Your journey is just beginning, and DFW-ABA is proud to be a part of it.
| | Upcoming General Body Meeting | |
General Body Meetings occur monthly to inform the membership body of all current and future programs and initiatives. This is also a time to share kudos and accolades that have occurred since the last meeting.
All general body meetings are open to the public.
| | Keep Your Profile Updated – Help Us Serve You Better! | |
Stay connected and help us improve our programming! By updating your profile on the DFW-ABA website, you ensure that we can tailor events, resources, and opportunities that align with your interests and professional goals.
Your updated information also plays a key role in helping us track organizational metrics and enhance our outreach efforts.
Take a moment to log in and update your details today - thank you for being an active part of our community!
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Big wins, bigger moves! Please join us in congratulating the DFW-ABA members who received impactful news in the previous month. Your hard work, leadership, and excellence continue to inspire our community.
Got a promotion or milestone to share? Let us know for next month’s Kudos Corner! We love celebrating our members’ success.
Keep striving for greatness and inspiring others with your incredible journeys!
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Please join us in celebrating our Student Care Co-Director, Chris Mitchell, on his recent promotion to Senior Manager at EY!
Chris’s contributions to student engagement and mentorship has made a lasting impact on DFW-ABA and the students we serve. His promotion is a reflection of the leadership and professionalism he brings to every space he's in.
We’re proud to have him on our team—and even prouder to watch his journey unfold. Congratulations, Chris!
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A huge congratulations to Synetra Green, our Professional Development Director, on her well-earned promotion to Controller at Saville CPAs and Advisors!
Synetra has been a driving force behind DFW-ABA’s career development initiatives, especially with planning our organization's impactful CPE panels. Her elevation is no surprise to those who’ve worked with her and witnessed her commitment to excellence.
Here’s to breaking ceilings and lifting others while doing it—way to go, Synetra!
| | | 👋Meet-a-Member Mika Kouakou👋 | | | | |
🎓 Professional Background & Why DFW-ABA Matters
I began my professional journey in finance and accounting, with experience as an Accountant and Currently, I’m pursuing my Master of Science in Business Analytics at Texas A&M University-Commerce. I was drawn to the DFW-ABA because of its commitment to community, mentorship, and representation. As a woman of color navigating corporate America, it was important for me to connect with like-minded professionals who understand the journey and are passionate about building a more inclusive future in accounting and finance.
🌟 A Memorable DFW-ABA Moment
Attending the DFW-ABA Symposium was such a memorable experience. I had the opportunity to meet inspiring professionals like Nicky Joiner, who gave an unforgettable talk on imposter syndrome, and a better understanding of the Corporate world. The entire event was a blend of networking, empowerment, and laughter; it felt like reconnecting with extended family.
💥 Career Superpower of Choice
If I could choose any superpower to help me in my career, it would be the ability to use 100% of my brain’s capacity. I believe human beings are created in the image of God, yet we often fail to fully utilize the incredible potential of our minds. Unlocking that kind of cognitive power would give me access to a vast range of knowledge and transferable skills that could greatly benefit not only my career but also my life as a whole.
💡 Advice for New or Prospective Members
“Be bold” in your decisions and clear about your objectives. Getting involved in community activities organized by inclusive associations like DFW-ABA is a valuable way to support your career growth while also sharpening your networking skills with like minded professionals and students.
🎧 What Brings Joy Outside of Work
In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis at the facility near my apartment, as well as cooking, painting, shopping ,and traveling. I’m passionate about arts, fashion, sports, and any activity that helps me reconnect with myself.
💬 Three Words Friends Use to Describe Me
If my friends had to describe me in three words, they’d probably say I’m self-driven, confident, and empathetic. Or as they like to joke, a one-woman motivational TED Talk with feelings!
| | Connect, Learn, and Grow with DFW-ABA! | |
Not a Member Yet? Join Us Today!
Discover the benefits of becoming a member. As a member, you’ll connect with our network of corporate partners and unlock a world of opportunities tailored just for you.
Click and Join Us and start exploring all the advantages membership has to offer.
| | Use Your Kroger Plus to Assist Our Growth! | | Join Our Journey - Get Involved Today |
Your skills, passion, and perspectives are what make our community vibrant and strong. As we continue to grow and innovate, we invite you to bring your unique talents to one of our committees. Whether you're looking to make a difference, develop new skills, or connect with fellow members, there's a place for you. Explore our committees and find where you can best contribute to our collective success. Together, we can achieve incredible things.
Dive in and make an impact—Join a committee today!
Contact: Info@dfwaba.org
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