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In the Black: Changing the Dominant Narrative in the Commercial Real Estate Industry

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With In the Black, T. Dallas Smith identifies the centrality of honest and open relationships to success within the world of high-dollar commercial real estate deals. His advice to “build relationships before you need them” is complemented by personal stories highlighting the importance of identifying one’s advocates. Smith is keen to recognize the people — some of them sense-making and some of them unexpected — who helped lift him up in a field the primary practice of which has been to reject diversity among its practitioners. Smith shows how making one’s way in an industry that has historically rejected Black men and women may be challenging but is in no way impossible. His own story is proof that one can both be a trailblazer and use one’s hard-won position to open doors for others.

ISBN-13: 9781955884594

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Advantage Media Group - Inc.

Publication Date: 04-04-2023

Pages: 207

Product Dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

T. DALLAS SMITH is the founder and CEO at T. Dallas Smith & Company, a commercial real estate firm specializing in tenant representation based in Atlanta, Georgia . T. Dallas Smith & Company has led projects across the country with metrics exceeding seven million square feet of commercial property leasing and acquisitions and five thousand acres of land purchases. Since the company’s inception, the team has led transactions totaling over $15 billion in aggregate value. Dallas is an innovator and thought leader in the commercial real estate community and is intentional about cultivating and developing diverse talent to help shape the commercial real estate industry. He has served as chair of the Real Estate Committee for the Georgia State UniversityFoundation Board and on the boards of the Council for Quality Growth and the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS. Dallas has been recognized as Atlanta’s Most Admired CEO (2017), Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtor’s Realtor of the Year (2018), and Empire Board of Realtists Broker of the Year (2018).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“My friend Dallas has written an uplifting book about his journey in the field of commercial real estate. He describes his humble start to the top of the tenant representation field in Atlanta. His portrayal of being Black and young while overcoming prejudice and hurdles is delivered, not with bitterness, but with calm determination to succeed. This book is a worthwhile read.” — Andrew L. Ghertner
Vice Chairman, Cushman Wakefield of Georgia, Inc.


“I met Dallas when he was nineteen years old. Upon coming to the office for an interview, it was obvious to me he was anxious to get his ‘foot in the door’ and learn all he could about real estate. Dallas was like a sponge, spending as much time as possible with Mr. Tift, soaking up all the knowledge he could. He had an outgoing personality, which is definitely an asset in real estate. He just seemed to climb the ladder with his determination and faith. It was not always easy, but he continued on regardless of the obstacle.
I’ve worked for Mr. Tift for over forty years. Looking back and remembering the time Dallas started work with us, and watching as he grew and prospered, just does my heart good. I am so proud of him. And his book In the Black is a must-read for anyone of any color, race, creed, or gender. It proves that you can do it if you work hard enough.” — Susan Christy
Former President, Atlanta Air Center Realty


“T. Dallas Smith is a champion for change who continues to inspire and influence others. In the Black takes you on his personal journey through walls of adversity, heartache and unrelenting perseverance. Dallas’ story is transformational!” — John F. O'Neill III
President, U.S. Multifamily Capital Markets, Cushman & Wakefield


“This book tells you; Dallas is the Super underdog who can see the stars in the daytime. He instigates hope, amplifies confidence, redefines the meaning of dream, to dream big to all those underdogs to awaken. ” — Young Woo
Founder and Principal of Young Woo and Associates, LLC


“In the Black is definitely a MUST READ! T. Dallas Smith has a great sense of humor, and a good-hearted way of telling his real story. I both laughed and winced uncontrollably as I relived with him the everyday experience of a Black man in a white Atlanta world and felt it viscerally. It was a real eye-opener for me... No, a soul-opener!” — W. Allen Morris
Chairman & CEO, The Allen Morris Company, and
author of ALL IN: How to Risk Everything for Everything that Matters


“In his book, In the Black, my friend and colleague T. Dallas Smith masterfully uses his life journey to both learn and teach. His success in life is the result of his unwavering commitment 4 to excellence and his willingness to engage people to find common ground. He makes the compelling case that personal relationships are the foundation of an enduring society.” — Egbert L. J. Perry
CEO, Integral Group, LLC


Dallas tells his remarkable life story in a very intimate, inspiring, and transparent way. There are life lessons for everyone in this book. I was particularly struck by his enduring decision to choose optimism over bitterness. As a Black man in a predominantly white man’s industry, he faced challenges I have never known. Yet, he has conducted himself with elegance and purpose throughout his career. The courage and leadership he has consistently demonstrated continue to make real and long-lasting impacts on the commercial real estate industry. They were long overdue. We are better for it because of Dallas. — Steve Dils
Managing Director and Principal, Avison Young

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
The Nose of a King
Klan Killer
Black Asset
As Only a Black Man Can Do
Service First
Three Smooth Stones
Mascot
Best Salesman I Ever Met
CONCLUSION