Meet De’ane Kennedy | Community Organizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with De’ane Kennedy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi De’Ane, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I believe Dallas Black Queer Collective helps to create space for folks in the community who tend to go unseen and maybe even feel like they don’t belong and/or have yet to find a space where they feel like they FULLY belong, Not just a part of them

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I feel like I was raised to be a very family/community oriented person and I carry that with me in everything that I do. I’ve always been taught to make everyone feel included and welcomed and loved and I fully believe that principle has carried me a long way in my professional and personal life. I definitely think that’s what sets events I help work on a part. Making sure that everyone who comes feels welcomed and included and most importantly seen.

I think another big part of what got me to where I am today is my support my system. I’m definitely biased but I feel as though I have thee best support system in the world. There’s nothing I feel I can’t do with my family and friends in my corner. Even when an idea feels too big or too scary or virtually impossible they’re consistently there helping me break down things into bite size tasks and fueling me with encouragement and whatever else I need to make my dreams/goals come true. It hasn’t been an easy journey to get to where I am today I don’t imagine it will get any easier, but I definitely feel like it’s doable with them by my side.

I probably sound like a broken record when I say they but the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far and one thing I want people to take away from my story is community, community, community. It has been the people that I love and that I know love me back that has gotten me this far and it’s gonna continue to be the people that I love that I know love me back that’ll carry me even farther

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a good one, I love planning little DFW itineraries for people.

First stop is immediately the Fort Worth Stockyards, so they can get a taste of that country Texas vibe (also the kind of stereotypical version lol)

We’ll check out Double D’s, LadyLove, for cocktails. The strip in OakLawn if they’re in to nightlife. The Freeman and triumphs if they’re into live music

The Dallas Museum of Art and African Museum is a must. My fav restaurants that I like to take people to: Yolk, Haywire, and The Henry.

I have a couple of Dallas hidden gems but I’m gonna keep those a secret lol

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I really want to shout out my friends, my mom, “Dope Black Queers” (A collective based in London), and folks a part of the Black Queer community here in Dallas.

Instagram: @dallasblackqueercollective

Image Credits
Jerry Walker