As we ring in 2026, let’s look back at the moments and people that shaped the past year in Oak Cliff.
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MOMENT: La Cantera Conservatory flourishes with its own space developing a scene for Flamenco in the neighborhood. JANUARY
PERSON: LaDyrian Cole
Alumna of the Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management took an untraditional path to law and is now thriving as an attorney.
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MOMENT: UNT Dallas accepted into Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
The University of North Texas at Dallas has been accepted into the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which sets the standard for business education around the world. FEBRUARY
PERSON: Alejandro González
Tlazo Home was created by Alejandro González as a home furnishings store with an emphasis on Latino, predominantly Mexican, designs and artists.
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MOMENT: Southside MMA move to Wynnewood Village
Southside MMA is family-owned and specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing and self-defense while fostering a supportive and inclusive community for all skill levels. FEBRUARY
PERSON: Jose Galdamez
Rosi’s co-founder continues to serve his mother’s traditional recipes “with a twist.”
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MOMENT: Kimball High School wins state basketball championship
The Kimball Knights Boys’ basketball team brought home their eighth state championship title. MARCH
PERSON: Ki’Zydreeck Faggett
Faggett lives the best of both worlds at SOC as a member of the football team and the Golden Bears’ band.
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MOMENT: Cancer survivors reunite with staff that saved them
Colorectal cancer survivors gathered at Methodist Dallas Medical Center to celebrate their recoveries with the doctors and nurses who treated them. MARCH
PERSON: Latame Phillips With Hunger Busters
Phillips helps tackle food insecurity in Dallas by providing over 1 million after-school meals.
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MOMENT: New Coombs Creek Trail extensions
Coombs Creek Trail extensions on the west and east create a nearly 4-mile trail for North Oak Cliff neighbors to safely walk, stroll, skate and bike. APRIL
PERSON: David Grover
A third of the trio behind Ladylove Lounge & Sound, which saw appearances from Doechii and Janet Jackson this year.
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MOMENT: City Council adopts 2025 Bike Plan
The plan targets for growing the city’s biking network while emphasizing safety, comfort, and maintenance. MAY
PERSON: Kate Siamro
A third of the trio behind LadyloveLounge & Sound, which saw appearances from Doechii and Janet Jackson this year.
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PERSON: Jimmy Contrearas
A third of the trio behind Ladylove Lounge & Sound, which saw appearances from Doechii and Janet Jackson this year.
MOMENT: One year of the The Little Blue House
Located at 1208 E. 10th St., the Tenth Street Neighborhood Resource Center celebrated one year in June and is continuing to look for suggestions to expand programming for residents. JUNE
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MOMENT: Cars found in Lake Cliff
Dallas Police recovered multiple submerged vehicles from Lake Cliff Park on June 5. JUNE
PERSON: Don “Tortellini” Thomas II
Tortellini made it his mission to shine the spotlight on Oak Cliff with the creation of Village Oak Cliff.
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MOMENT: DPD announces cold case investigation
The Dallas Police Department announced the continued investigation of the 2020 murder of 28-year-old Rickey Forward. JULY
PERSON: Danny Joseph
After The Voice, Joseph has gained exposure with more fans showing up to his regular shows in Dallas this year.
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PERSON: Aiden Anderson
The Carter High School student ranked No. 1 in his boxing weight class in all of Texas.
MOMENT: Oak Cliff Art Walk announces move to East Dock
The OC Art Walk announces move to East Dock for the annual event. JULY
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MOMENT: Parrish Aviation Flight Academy receives 141 certification
For half a decade, the academy had struggled to receive their 141 certification but finally purchased it from a Portland school in 2025. JULY
PERSON: Armando Aguirre
The artist behind the Trinity Groves Luka Dončić mural that went up the month the guard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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PERSON: Idania Hernandez
The 20-instrument musician opened her own LLC to manage bookings around the neighborhood.
MOMENT: Hampton Clarendon rezoning passes
The final planned authorized hearing as a result of WOCAP passed in favor of rezoning in August despite community outcry. AUGUST
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MOMENT: D4 community office opened Councilman Maxie Johnson opened his new District 4 Community Office Aug. 12 where the people of his district are, in the historic Glendale Shopping Center. AUGUST
PERSON: Lisa New
Lisa New was selected as the Dallas Zoo’s first female CEO in its 135-year existence in 2023.
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MOMENT: Rep. Jessica González leaves state
Oak Cliff native and state representative left Texas in protest of the proposed redistricting. AUGUST
PERSON: Keise On Da Track
The Carter High School alumni is an award winning, Billboard-charting music producer and member of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Class of 2025.
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PERSON: William “Bill” McKenzie, editor of The Stewpot Book
McKenzie is a co-editor of Thy Neighbor: Stories of Struggle, Strength, and Shared Humanity, a compilation of essays done during the Writers’ Workshops, featuring the works of nine unhoused writers alongside artwork done by Stewpot artists.
MOMENT: East Dock
The century-old former ice factory, book manufacturing and airplane part production plant is gaining new life with a remodel including the Halperin Park headquarters and more. SEPTEMBER
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MOMENT: Behind the scenes of 50 over 50
Fifty women came to the FLOCC Studio off West Davis Street to participate in the project compiled by Kent Barker; the exhibit opens in March. SEPTEMBER
PERSON: Modesto Aceves
Aceves was the State Fair of Texas featured artist for The International Coffee Art Exhibit Coffee Inspires Culture.
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PERSON: Tammy McNary
A local death doula who hosts a monthly Oak Cliff Death Cafe to discuss mortality over tea and cake.
MOMENT: Sunset High School Centennial
Sunset High School celebrated 100 years of Bison Pride. SEPTEMBER
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PERSON: Anga Sanders
Twenty-five years of FEED Oak Cliff, Sanders’ nonprofit fights for healthier food options in the neighborhood and hosts the annual free festival Dallas VegFest.
MOMENT: Restaurant Beatrice continues to raise sustainability standards for the industry
Restaurant Beatrice became the first restaurant to disclose Greenhouse Gas Inventory in the state. SEPTEMBER
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MOMENT: Dallas Wings breaks ground
The WNBA is officially in our neighborhood with the Dallas Wings’ practice facility located at Joey Georgusis Park. SEPTEMBER
PERSON: Kelsey Foster
Local food photographer released her debut album The Burn Off, a compilation of songs that represent the aftermath of a toxic relationship.
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MOMENT: Chad West speech at No Kings
As the only out Dallas City Council member, West gave remarks at the No Kings Rally in regard to his opposition of removing rainbow crosswalks in the city. OCTOBER
PERSON: Katy Sensenig Schilthuis
Mosaic Makers Collective founder named 2025 “Champion of Adaptability” by U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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PERSON: Jay Guillory
Local Whose Books part-time bookseller and content creator behind Black Boys Read.
MOMENT: Oak Cliff neighbors found Western Heights Cemetery Association
The nearly 200 year old cemetery now has its own organization to care for it. OCTOBER
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MOMENT: Bishop Arts Cat dispute ends
David Spence and Lisa Dennis have come to an agreement to stop the trapping and the protests in regard to community cats. OCTOBER
PERSON: Vincent Holland
Founder of the local nonprofit Sayless Projects, which premiered the short film The Art of Doing Something About It at the Granada Theater last year.
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PERSON: Alyssa Fernandez
Her cakemix brand Ollin made a restaurant debut and was named one of four baking category Startup CPG Shelfie Award finalists.
MOMENT: Oak Cliff Skate Park reaches fundraising goal
Completing phase one of fundraising, the skate park has reached $1.8 million in funding for the project. NOVEMBER
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MOMENT: Decade since SOC walk out
As of the 2024-25 TEA Accountability Rankings, South Oak Cliff High School earned a ‘B.’ DECEMBER
PERSON: Akwete Tyehimbe, CEO of the Pan African Connection Bookstore and Resource Center
Akwete Tyehimba received the Sutton E. Griggs Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature.
