Creating moments for leaders to establish relationships and incite change.
Our organization was created to provide opportunities for young African American leaders that have recently relocated to Dallas (1-3 years) gain access to seasoned Dallas leadership. If you get a new job you have to attend orientation, so is the same with moving to a new city.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
OUR MISSION
Initiating Relationships to Organize New Beginnings (IRON) exists to provide resources for recently relocating African-American young professionals, that support navigating from surviving to thriving in their personal and professional lives.
OUR VISION
The vision of IRON is to bridge relationships that ignite positive impact on communities.
Why IRON?
Generational Shift
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that by 2025 Millennials will account for 70% of the global workforce. This generational shift requires a change in our culture.
Financial Challenges in Dallas
United Way of Dallas found that 39% of Dallas residents lack three months worth of savings needed to avoid financial crisis in case of a layoff, a reduction of income, or emergency. Traditionally African Americans have higher rates of unemployment and or underemployment which impacts their ability to accumulate savings. Dallas Morning News reported in 2016 that 55% of Dallas residents have annual income levels less than $50,000. U.S. News & World Report found that 30% of African American bachelor's degree holders had more than $35,000 in student loan debt.
Dallas is a relocation center
Between 2015-2017 there were more than 70,000 Blacks that relocated to Dallas from outside of Texas. There have been over 175,000 Millennials aged 21-34 that have relocated to Dallas between 2014-2016.
