SouthFair’s community of homeowners features many great women who are making history
March is all about “commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history,” for National Women’s History Month, according to https://womenshistorymonth.gov/. In South Dallas, it seems as though we have local history-makers. Business owners, community members, board members — SouthFair’s community, Malcolm’s Point, consists of history-making women who employ their entrepreneur skills to make an impact in their communities. With plans to expand their businesses to a brick and mortar space in Malcolm’s Point Retail, all of the ladies have an interest to add their flair to the SouthFair’s newest retail development which will also feature townhomes and a scholar house!
Norma Baker
Norma Baker established Njoi Designs in 2010 — a Fashion House with a focus on apparel. She has always had the vision to be a designer since she was a little girl and it has landed her with clients in Chicago, working with a New York company, and eventually landing in the 3rd largest fashion district in the U.S. — Dallas, Texas. An integral part of the community, Ms. Baker continues to keep her neighborhood moving.
Adjwoa Hogue
Adjwoa Hogue moved into the neighborhood in 2019. Since then, she’s been able to decorate her space, refinance her home for a lower rate, and enjoy the stability that comes with having a home. Hogue does all this while co-owning the Pan-African Connection Bookstore, Art Gallery and Resource Center for the last nine years. The bookstore fills a void with its high quality content and even hosts events.
Ruth O’ Quinn
Having served on SouthFair’s Board for over six years, Ruth O’Quinn is a staple in the revitalization of South Dallas. Her personal investment? Becoming a homeowner through SouthFair’s program and being a testament of what the future holds for her community. When she’s not busy serving on SouthFair’s board, she spends her time baking her famous goodies!
Shanay Wise
Mother and entrepreneur, Shanay Wise also runs Catering Done Wisely — a farm-to-table focused catering company. The company has gained traction locally and has amassed over 600 Instagram followers. After going through the SouthFair program and buying a home in South Dallas, Wise was able to enhance Catering Done Wisely with a twist which included an expansion — from offering 11 products to 37!
Embedded in these business-women is a growing community which fosters plenty of positivity and promise. From multi-generational homeowners (Hogue) to multi-generational entrepreneurs (Wise) to impactful board members (O’Quinn) to road-clearing neighborhood associates (Baker). These women are proof that SouthFair’s dedication to revitalize South Dallas is tangible!
SouthFair Community Development Cooperation, what can I say? You may be a small CDC but your impact in the Fair Park Estate District is immeasurable. Your informative newsletters showcase your hard work and efforts to provide families with the tools needed to obtain an affordable place to call “home.” Your passion to help, makes your mission easy!