HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0010) IR 21-10656 - Proposal to Rename FW Business Assistance Center in Honor of Devoyd Jennings (3)INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10656
aaTE To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 14, 2021
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rim VA SUBJECT: PROPOSAL TO RENAME THE FORT WORTH BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
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CENTER IN HONOR OF DEVOYD JENNINGS
Southeast Fort Worth, Inc. has requested that the City Council rename the Fort Worth Business
Assistance Center (BAC) in honor of Devoyd Jennings. The Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of
Commerce (Chamber) supports the renaming.
Mr. Jennings was the longtime president of the Chamber and died on July 24, 2021. He grew up in Fort
Worth, graduated from I.M. Terrell High School, and graduated from Texas Wesleyan University. Mr.
Jennings helped create the William Mann Community Development Corporation and Southeast Fort
Worth, Inc. He also worked with the City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth ISD, and many others to help establish
minority and women -owned business enterprise goals. Mr. Jennings was passionate about ensuring
economic access for all residents, and his contributions to Fort Worth and the greater community cannot
be overstated.
The Chamber offices are located within the BAC at the James E. Guinn Entrepreneurial Campus at 1150
South Freeway. The renaming to the Devoyd Jennings Business Assistance Center is a fitting tribute.
The renaming is consistent with the City Council's policy for naming City -owned facilities (Resolution
3253-09-2005). Staff plans to place a resolution on the September 21 City Council agenda to authorize the
name change. Staff would then design and install a sign that is appropriate for the historic structure.
For any questions on this report, please contact Robert Sturns, Economic Development Director, at 817-
392-2663.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS