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Discover My Impact

Dr. Stacia Thompson serves as the President & CEO of Sherman Phoenix, bringing a wealth of experience in higher education, workforce development, and community service to her role. With a doctorate in higher education focusing on teaching and learning, Stacia combines academic expertise with practical leadership skills. Her passion for DEI, workforce development, and entrepreneurial culture drives her work in creating sustainable businesses and community impact. As a NAACP Youth Award recipient, UW Parkside Community Service Award winner, and Milwaukee Business Journal Woman of Influence, Stacia's contributions span various sectors. Her personal experiences, including being a parent of an autistic child, inform her empathetic and resilient approach to leadership and community building. Stacia's vision includes helping entrepreneurs create sustainable businesses, ensuring Sherman Phoenix's long-term viability, and potentially developing a replicable franchise model for community empowerment.

Notable Achievements

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• 1. "Building Resilient Communities Through Entrepreneurship: The Sherman Phoenix Model"

• 2. "Bridging Education and Workforce Development: A Holistic Approach to Community Empowerment"

• 3. "Resilience in Leadership: Transforming Personal Challenges into Community Impact"3. "Resilience in Leadership: Transforming Personal Challenges into Community Impact"

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1. "Building Resilient Communities Through Entrepreneurship: The Sherman Phoenix Model"

Dr. Stacia Thompson shares insights from her experience as President & CEO of Sherman Phoenix, demonstrating how entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for community transformation. She explores innovative strategies for creating sustainable businesses and fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem that uplifts marginalized communities.

Key Takeaways:

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2. "Bridging Education and Workforce Development: A Holistic Approach to Community Empowerment"

Drawing from her extensive background in higher education and workforce development, Dr. Thompson presents a comprehensive framework for aligning educational programs with community needs and workforce demands. She discusses innovative approaches to create pathways for success, particularly for underserved populations.

Key Takeaways:

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3. "Resilience in Leadership: Transforming Personal Challenges into Community Impact"3. "Resilience in Leadership: Transforming Personal Challenges into Community Impact"

In this inspiring keynote, Dr. Thompson shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity, including being a parent of an autistic child and a domestic violence survivor. She illustrates how these experiences have shaped her leadership style and fueled her passion for community service, offering insights on resilient leadership and creating inclusive, empathetic communities.

Key Takeaways:

The Power of Community-Driven Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Sherman Phoenix

by Dr. Stacia Thompson

As the President & CEO of Sherman Phoenix, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of community-driven entrepreneurship. Our journey at Sherman Phoenix has not only revitalized a neighborhood but has also created a blueprint for sustainable community development. Today, I want to share some key lessons we've learned about harnessing entrepreneurship as a tool for community empowerment.

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The Power of Community-Driven Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Sherman Phoenix

by Dr. Stacia Thompson

As the President & CEO of Sherman Phoenix, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of community-driven entrepreneurship. Our journey at Sherman Phoenix has not only revitalized a neighborhood but has also created a blueprint for sustainable community development. Today, I want to share some key lessons we've learned about harnessing entrepreneurship as a tool for community empowerment.As the President & CEO of Sherman Phoenix, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of community-driven entrepreneurship. Our journey at Sherman Phoenix has not only revitalized a neighborhood but has also created a blueprint for sustainable community development. Today, I want to share some key lessons we've learned about harnessing entrepreneurship as a tool for community empowerment.

The Birth of a Vision

Sherman Phoenix was born from adversity. In the aftermath of civil unrest in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood in 2016, we saw an opportunity to turn a burned-out building into a symbol of hope and economic opportunity. Our vision was simple yet ambitious: create a space where local entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented communities, could thrive and, in turn, uplift the entire neighborhood.

Lesson 1: Community Needs Drive Innovation

One of our first lessons was the importance of listening to the community. We didn't impose our ideas of what businesses should occupy the space. Instead, we engaged with local residents, understanding their needs and desires. This approach led to a diverse mix of businesses – from restaurants and wellness services to art galleries and financial services – all reflecting the community's needs and aspirations.
Key Takeaway: Successful community entrepreneurship starts with active listening and responding to local needs.

Lesson 2: Diversity is a Strength

At Sherman Phoenix, diversity isn't just a buzzword; it's our core strength. By providing opportunities to entrepreneurs from various backgrounds, particularly those who have been historically marginalized, we've created a vibrant ecosystem of businesses. This diversity not only serves a wide range of community needs but also fosters innovation through the cross-pollination of ideas and cultures.
Key Takeaway: Embracing diversity in entrepreneurship leads to more innovative, resilient business communities.

Lesson 3: Support Goes Beyond Financial Investment

While access to capital is crucial for entrepreneurs, we've learned that comprehensive support is equally important. At Sherman Phoenix, we provide mentorship, shared resources, and a collaborative environment. This holistic approach has been key to the success and sustainability of our businesses.
Key Takeaway: Sustainable entrepreneurship requires a supportive ecosystem that addresses various needs of business owners.

Lesson 4: Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Social Change

Perhaps our most profound lesson has been seeing how entrepreneurship can be a powerful vehicle for social change. By empowering individuals to start and grow businesses, we're not just creating jobs; we're building wealth within the community, fostering leadership, and changing narratives about what's possible in underserved neighborhoods.
Key Takeaway: Community-driven entrepreneurship can be a catalyst for broader social and economic transformation.

Lesson 5: Scalability and Replication

As we've seen the impact of Sherman Phoenix in our community, we've started to explore how this model can be replicated in other areas. While each community is unique, the core principles of community engagement, diversity, comprehensive support, and social impact can be adapted to various contexts.
Key Takeaway: Successful community entrepreneurship models have the potential for broader impact through thoughtful replication and adaptation.As we've seen the impact of Sherman Phoenix in our community, we've started to explore how this model can be replicated in other areas. While each community is unique, the core principles of community engagement, diversity, comprehensive support, and social impact can be adapted to various contexts.
Key Takeaway: Successful community entrepreneurship models have the potential for broader impact through thoughtful replication and adaptation.

Looking to the Future

As we continue our work at Sherman Phoenix, we remain committed to learning, adapting, and growing. Our journey has shown us that when entrepreneurship is rooted in community needs and supported by a holistic ecosystem, it has the power to transform not just individual lives but entire neighborhoods.
We envision a future where models like Sherman Phoenix are not the exception but the norm – where entrepreneurship is a pathway to equity, empowerment, and community resilience. It's a future worth working towards, one entrepreneur, one business, one community at a time.
I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with community-driven entrepreneurship. How have you seen it make a difference in your area? What challenges and opportunities do you see in this approach to community development?
Let's continue this important conversation and work together to harness the transformative power of entrepreneurship in our communities.

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