Following its five-year anniversary, the Metroplex Civic & Business Association (MCBA) is entering a new phase of growth, with leaders focused on turning civic engagement into measurable economic impact across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
MCBA has spent its early years building a foundation around policy education, civic participation, and executive engagement. That groundwork, leaders say, is now being used to expand the organization’s role in economic development and business collaboration.
In an interview with The Dallas Express, MCBA President and CEO Onyinye Akujuo described the organization as “pretty much a high-octane engine for economic growth,” adding, “We’re not just a startup here, we have this figured out. We understand how to make it easy to make a difference.”
Akujuo said MCBA’s core strength remains civic engagement, but that the organization is deliberately expanding its scope.
“We do a lot around civic engagement. That is where we are strong,” she said. “But I have decided to grow more programs for our members.”
One area of focus has been MCBA’s effort to move beyond traditional networking by creating more intentional, business-driven connections among its members. According to Akujuo, that approach benefits not only MCBA members but the broader Dallas economy.
“So, of course, if people are able to do business together in our organization here at MCBA, not only does it do well for us, but it definitely does a great deal for the city of Dallas and the rest of the Metroplex,” she said.
MCBA’s events, which often take the form of executive luncheons, are designed with that objective in mind. While the settings may appear informal, Akujuo said they are structured intentionally.
“People love our luncheons,” she said. “We’re really serious and intentional about speaking to our CEOs prior to our engagements to ensure meaningful business connections that drive economic growth.”
Akujuo also acknowledged the organization’s leadership legacy, including former CEO Louis Darrouzet and the MCBA Leadership Council, as MCBA builds on its early momentum.
“You have to stand on the shoulders of giants,” she said.
Looking ahead, MCBA is exploring strategies aimed at strengthening collaboration between the private sector and local government. Those efforts include building advisory councils and working to ensure that municipal initiatives align with business growth rather than create barriers.
“I am the only woman in Texas leading a civic and business association of the specific scope and structure,” Akujuo said. “Civic engagement is our foundation, but impact is truly our future. I am trying to evolve MCBA from a platform for just conversation into a powerhouse of execution.”
On policy, Akujuo emphasized what she described as “voting power” among MCBA members, while noting the organization’s role as a C6.
“We are all about common sense, pro-growth, pro-business, pro-opportunity,” she said. “As a C6, we are only able to advocate and educate, ensuring that every legislative win for the city is a strategic win for their own balance sheets.”
Public safety and downtown vitality remain priorities as well. Akujuo pointed to crime reduction, increased police presence, and foot traffic as essential components of economic growth.
“We continue to need to start focusing on eradicating crime,” she said. “We need to build more foot traffic in our downtowns. The only way that could happen is truly from voting.”
As MCBA enters its next phase, Akujuo said the organization is positioning itself to expand its influence while maintaining a focus on C-suite executive decision-makers.
“Our rooms are not about the mid-level manager,” she said. “We are about the top-line executives. We want the decision makers in the room always.”
Ultimately, Akujuo said the goal is to deliver measurable value for members while strengthening Dallas’ broader economy.
As she put it, MCBA’s vision is to deliver “tangible ROI” so members can “scale and keep everything circulating within Dallas and their companies throughout the Metroplex.”
