Darryl Brewer knows Fort Worth and knows how to succeed.
Now, as the new economic development manager for the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, he has his sights on bringing together residents of his beloved city to help it move forward.
Brewer replaced Jeremiah Anderson, who held the position for three years before taking a job with the Dallas Regional Chamber.
Brewer, 59, was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital and raised in the Carver Heights section of Stop Six.
Following in the footsteps of his mother, Christine Burse, who founded the business, he became a successful businessman himself as owner of Magic Car Wash & Detail. His business is award-winning, including being named the best car wash in the city by one local publication.
“I stood on the shoulders of my mother and my personal experience to continue the business she founded,” Brewer said.
“With a multi-faceted background in business and sales, Darryl brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position and to the chamber overall,” said the chamber’s president and CEO, Devoyd Jennings. “He will be a great asset to us as we continue to tackle the economic development issues in the underserved portions of our community.”
Brewer is a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and communications from the University of Texas at Arlington. He’s done continuing education work in sales at seminars around the country.
“I consider it an amazing opportunity to help improve the business and personal lives in our community,” he said. “People are moving to Fort Worth from all over the country. This growth gives us a great chance to participate in the economic wealth that’s being created. We must do our part to get our share of the pie. I thank God for preparing me for this time in my life.”
What are your goals for the FWMBCC?
I want to create and certify more MWBE [Minority/Women Business Enterprise] firms, and I want to aid in redeveloping the near Southside and East Fort Worth. I want to grow the number of African-American businesses and increase their profits.
How will your experience in running a successful business such as Magic Car Wash & Detail help you in your new position?
I will draw from my life experiences in the U.S. Army, B2B [business to business] sales and as a small-business owner. I have the ability to interface with all levels of business personnel. I believe I can empathize with small-business owners and help them grow their businesses. I have experience with the bidding process. I plan to help MWBE companies win more bids, or at least get more sub-contracting jobs.
What is the biggest challenge facing the minority community in commerce today and how can it be better addressed?
I think we have two challenges: 1. We must find and develop businesses to take full advantage of the opportunities in the Fort Worth and surrounding areas, and 2. We must do our best to ensure that all areas of business opportunity are truly opened up to our community.
As Fort Worth grows with each passing day, what must the FWMBCC do to keep up with this growth and make an impact with not only newcomers, but existing residents?
We must stay abreast of all possible business opportunities and pass that information on to our community. We must lead the way in shaping the public consciousness toward investing in skill trades, STEM [science, technology, engineering, math] and entrepreneurship, and we should champion the ideas of community cooperation and independence.
Can you tell me about your family? Is there a business history?
I am a first-generation college graduate. Neither of my parents graduated from high school. Both of my parents were domestic workers. My mother, Christine Burse, had great determination to be successful. She quit school and she lied about her age in order to work in a soda fountain.
Led by my mother, we catered parties for some of the wealthiest families of Fort Worth. We were the janitorial service for the Summit building built by George A. Mallick Jr. for a number of years. Around the age of 60, she started the Magic Car Wash on Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth. She operated it for over 20 years, until her health failed.
What is your favorite part of being a citizen of Fort Worth and Tarrant County? What makes the city and county great?
I am a people person, and I love the friends and family I have here in Fort Worth. I lived in Atlanta, Georgia, for about 10 years, and people continue to ask me why I left Atlanta. I always say, “Atlanta was great, but there’s just no place like home.”
Any additional thoughts?
I am happy to take a place of leadership. I hope to grow the economy of my community and the greater Fort Worth community as well.