DALLAS (August 13, 2026) — The people closest to a community’s challenges are often the people who understand its solutions best. On September 19, For Oak Cliff will put that belief into action at its Power of Proximity Summit, bringing together students, educators, residents, funders, nonprofit leaders, corporate partners and other community stakeholders to turn local knowledge and data into strategies that improve outcomes for children and families.

Taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Summit will focus on some of the barriers shaping opportunity across Oak Cliff, including chronic absenteeism, access to early childhood education, the school-to-prison pipeline and gaps in career pathways. But the day is designed to go beyond naming problems. Participants will work together to identify what is working, what is missing and what it will take to build a stronger cradle-to-career continuum.

“Our community does not have a shortage of ideas, talent or people willing to do the work. What we have had is a shortage of systems willing to listen to the people closest to the problem and invest in what they know works,” said Taylor Toynes, CEO of For Oak Cliff. “Power of Proximity is about getting the right people around the same table, looking honestly at the data and deciding what we are going to do about it. We have seen what is possible when Oak Cliff moves together. Now it is time to build on it.”

For Oak Cliff has already seen the impact of neighborhood-driven action through its recent Go to School Campaign, an initiative focused on reversing chronic absenteeism and helping more students get to school consistently. Black Elementary saw a 500% increase in perfect attendance, while Todd Middle School saw a 900% increase.

Those results raise a bigger question for For Oak Cliff: What else becomes possible when the people closest to a challenge have the relationships, resources and power to solve it?

The Power of Proximity Summit will explore that question alongside some of the city’s leading voices in education and community development. Speakers include Founder &CEO of Marshalling Resources and Former CEO of Dallas Mavericks Cynt Marshall, Superintendent of Dallas ISD Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, President & CEO of Communities Foundations of Texas Wayne White, and For Oak Cliff CEO Taylor Toynes.

Programming will move participants from understanding the conditions shaping student outcomes to developing solutions. Conversations will examine the relationship between chronic absenteeism and the school-to-prison pipeline, gaps throughout the cradle-to-career continuum, and the funding and resources needed to turn community priorities into sustainable change. Working sessions will give participants opportunities to translate those conversations into concrete next steps.

For Oak Cliff sees the work as bigger than any one school, organization, or neighborhood. The organization is working toward a 2035 North Star: disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and replacing it with a cradle-to-career pathway that puts Oak Cliff residents on a trajectory toward social and economic mobility, wellness and liberation.

The Power of Proximity Summit is free and open to the public. Registration is available through For Oak Cliff's website. Donations to support For Oak Cliff's work are welcome.

About For Oak Cliff

Founded in 2014, For Oak Cliff is a community-rooted organization working to address the lasting impacts of racial segregation, redlining and disinvestment in Oak Cliff. Through culturally responsive programming, community organizing and solutions-driven resources, For Oak Cliff works alongside residents to expand opportunity and improve quality of life.

By 2035, For Oak Cliff aims to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and replace it with a cradle-to-career pathway that puts the neighborhood on a trajectory toward social and economic mobility, wellness and liberation.