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Discover My Impact

Dr. Stacia Thompson is an author, social innovator and strategist, with a career spanning over 20 years of experience in higher education, workforce development, economic development, non profit, entrepreneurship and community service. 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. Stacia's contributions span various sectors. Her personal experiences, including being a parent of a neurodivergent child, inform her empathetic and resilient approach to leadership and community building.

Notable Achievements

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• 1. "Building Resilient Communities Through Entrepreneurship"

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

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

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1. "Building Resilient Communities Through Entrepreneurship"

Dr. Stacia Thompson shares insights from her professional experiences with oversight of co working spaces, maker spaces and marketplaces, 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

by Dr. Stacia Thompson

Having spent time leading initiatives focused on local economic development, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of community-driven entrepreneurship. The projects I’ve been involved with have not only revitalized neighborhoods but have also created blueprints for sustainable community development. Today, I want to share some key lessons we've learned about harnessing entrepreneurship as a tool for true community empowerment.

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The Power of Community-Driven Entrepreneurship

by Dr. Stacia Thompson

Having spent time leading initiatives focused on local economic development, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of community-driven entrepreneurship. The projects I’ve been involved with have not only revitalized neighborhoods but have also created blueprints for sustainable community development. Today, I want to share some key lessons we've learned about harnessing entrepreneurship as a tool for true 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.

1. The Multiplier Effect of Local Capital

The fundamental difference between corporate investment and community-driven investment lies in the multiplier effect. When a large, external entity opens a branch, the profits often leave the local economy. In contrast, when you invest in a neighborhood resident starting a business—whether it’s a coffee shop, a boutique, or a tech consultancy—the revenue generated stays local.These entrepreneurs hire neighbors, source materials from nearby suppliers, and spend their own money within the same community. This circulation of capital builds generational wealth and resilience where it is needed most, turning local success stories into systemic community uplift.

2. Creating Collaborative Ecosystems, Not Just Businesses

A single entrepreneur can thrive, but an ecosystem of entrepreneurs transforms a district. The most successful models are built around intentional clusters—spaces, whether physical or virtual, that provide essential resources and foster collaboration.These hubs serve as incubators, offering shared services like affordable lease rates, centralized marketing support, and mentorship networks. More importantly, they create a destination. When diverse businesses are intentionally placed together, they draw a wider customer base, making the whole greater than the sum of its parts. This collaborative spirit turns isolated ventures into a powerful, unified economic force.

3. The Catalyst of Intentional Tourism

Tourism is one of the largest voluntary transfers of cash from external sources directly into local economies, but its positive impact must be channeled intentionally. When community-driven entrepreneurship takes the lead, tourism becomes a powerful catalyst, rather than a force for displacement.Local Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) can maximize this benefit by shifting their focus from generic attractions to community-based social enterprises. This means making intentional efforts to market experiences, accommodations, and dining where the dollar directly funds a resident or a local initiative.Key strategies include:Highlighting Authenticity: Marketing campaigns should center on authentic cultural assets, local festivals, and unique experiences offered by neighborhood-owned businesses, drawing travelers seeking meaning, not just a momentary diversion.Prioritizing Local Supply Chains: DMOs should partner exclusively with local artisans, family-run guesthouses, and independent food producers, turning every visitor itinerary into a direct economic injection into the community.Skill Development: Tourism revenue can be reinvested into vocational training for residents, developing transferable skills in hospitality, languages, and business management, which further fuels the local entrepreneurial pipeline.When tourism is managed with a commitment to local ownership and cultural preservation, it serves as a robust mechanism for business creation and economic diversification, improving quality of life for long-time residents first.

4. The Blueprint for Sustainable Development

Community-driven projects prove that revitalization doesn't require displacing long-time residents or sacrificing local culture. In fact, true sustainability hinges on leveraging the unique strengths, talents, and cultural fabric of the existing neighborhood.We learned that success is measured not just in revenue, but in access and equity. By actively prioritizing entrepreneurs who reflect the diversity of the community—particularly women, people of color, and first-time business owners—we ensure that the economic growth benefits everyone. This approach creates a model where development is regenerative, empowering residents to become the architects of their own future.

Conclusion: Investing in People, Investing in Place

Community-driven entrepreneurship is far more than an economic strategy; it is a philosophy rooted in belief—belief in the talent, vision, and ingenuity residing within every neighborhood. When we connect people to capital, resources, and shared space, we don’t just launch businesses; we launch movements. It is a powerful reminder that the greatest asset any community possesses is its people.

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