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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5474-09-2021 A Resolution NO. 5474-09-2021 TO RENAME THE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER IN HONOR OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEVOYD JENNINGS WHEREAS Devoyd Jennings was born on September 10, 1947 and passed on July 24, 2021, at the age of 73; and WHEREAS Jennings attended Tarrant County College and then Texas Wesleyan University, graduating in 1971 with a degree in marketing; and WHEREAS Jennings was the longtime President and CEO of Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce; and WHEREAS Jennings became the first Black lobbyist for Texas Electric and worked at TXU Energy for 27 years; and WHEREAS Jennings won the 1998 Deal Maker Award from the Fort Worth Business Press,and was then featured on Who's Who in Economic Development in the Fort Worth Business Press, in 1999. Years later, he was awarded with a Minority Leaders in Business Award, by the Fort Worth Business Press, in 2017; and WHEREAS Jennings created the William Mann Development Corporation, a financial lending agency, and Southeast Fort Worth Inc., a community development agency; and WHEREAS Jennings assisted with the JPS Health Network, Tarrant County, Fort Worth ISD, and the cities of Fort Worth and Arlington with establishing minority and women-owned business enterprise goals; and WHEREAS in 2016, Jennings was involved in the leadership that successfully reopened I.M. Terrell High School as a STEM and Performing Arts Academy; and WHEREAS the City of Fort Worth has previously honored Jennings in 1992 and 2005, with proclamations for Devoyd Jennings Day; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT: The City Council, honoring the memory of Devoyd Jennings and recognizing the significance of his exemplary life and meaningful contributions within the Fort Worth community, will rename the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center in honor of Devoyd Jennings. Adopted this 21St day of September 2 02 1. ATTEST: A. FOR). By: U Ronald P. Gonzales,Acting City Secretary * _ 'EXAS