In 2012, D Magazine Partners established a civic leadership training program for the local creative class, including entrepreneurs, educators, journalists, artists, marketers, and tech professionals. Led by Krista Nightengale, the program is modeled on the Dallas Chamber of Commerce’s esteemed Leadership Dallas approach with monthly immersions in different aspects of city business, including the justice system, education, local government, poverty, healthcare, urban and sustainable development, and how to brand the city.
Twenty fellows (10 from within D Magazine Partners and 10 from the community) were accepted into the founding class of 2012, and their group project is the establishment of The Big Read Dallas.
D Academy Fellows
April Allen, Executive Director, KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth
Bart Weiss, Associate Professor, UT Arlington; Director, Dallas Video Fest
Brentt Shropshire, Founding Member/Partner, SDL Citadel
Christian Yazdanpanah, Positive Impact, Agencies of Change
David Hopkins, Freelance Writer
Frances Yllana, Associate Creative Director, MasonBaronet
Katie Bivins, V.O.D.
Katie McCann, Account Executive, Swingle Collins & Associates
Scott Smith, Director of the Metrics Project, SMU’s Center for Communities and Education
Suzie Aiken, Resource Analyst/Production Finance, Reel FX
Bradford Pearson, Assistant Managing Editor, People Newspapers
Carol Shih, Online Assistant Dining Editor, D Magazine
Andrew Plock, Writer, People Newspapers
Liz Johnstone, Events Editor, D Magazine
Michael Mooney, Staff Writer, D Magazine
Peggy Levinson, Editor at Large, D Home
Jessica Melton, Assistant Editor, DCEO
Amanda Shafer, Advertising Art Director, People Newspapers
Halley Homen, Brand Manager, D Magazine
Jennifer LeBlanc, Publisher, D Magazine