We recently connected with Adrianne Ferree and have shared our conversation below.
Adrianne, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
After my divorce 25 years ago, I asked myself: “What do I want the rest of my life to look like?” I didn’t know the exact answer, but I knew I wanted to give back and contribute meaningfully to my community. A co-worker suggested Habitat for Humanity, and, as an architect, I immediately saw how I could help. Soon, I joined a three-day “Blitz Build” for a 48-home development with 3,000 volunteers. The future homeowners worked alongside us and, by the end of the first day, we had framed entire houses from the ground up. I left in tears, overwhelmed by what we had accomplished together and eager to return the next day.
As I worked with others pounding nails, learning to use a chop saw and hang siding, I spoke with the future homeowners. Hearing their stories made me realize I wanted to live a life with purpose. I started volunteering more with Habitat for Humanity and ideas for projects that could make a lasting impact began to take shape. At the time, they remained just ideas, sketches on paper.
That changed when I started working with vocational programs in a correctional facility. I was struck by how little post-reentry support existed for men who had learned trades like welding and woodworking. Then I realized the problem was bigger, entire communities lacked access to tools and machines, while more affluent areas had community facilities brimming with resources. The phrase, “How can they pull themselves up by their bootstraps if they don’t have boots?” echoed in my mind. I was determined to change that.
After years of research, conversations with community members, and being invited to Compton to explore possibilities, The Makers Hub was born. Our mission is simple: to build a community makerspace in Compton where people have access to tools, technology, and workshops. Through our work, we aim to inspire creativity and provide opportunities for all. Our vision? To be an economic development hub that supports community transformation through the innovation, talent, and energy of its residents and leaders.
This vision and the lives we’re impacting every day continue to inspire me. Creating and leading this organization has given me a new sense of purpose and motivation to make something positive for our community.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I was born in New York as a child of immigrants from Argentina, which has given me a unique perspective on the American experience. I grew up in Torrance, California from the age of three. I retired after working forty years as a civilian employee for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and began the next chapter of my life.
I am now the Founder and Executive Director of The Makers Hub, a nonprofit organization on a mission to provide the Greater Compton Area with equal access to tools, workshops, technology, and resources that inspire creativity, facilitate lifelong learning, and provide inclusive and equitable opportunities for all.
The long-term goal of The Makers Hub is to create replicable models of makerspace development that can be implemented in other communities, transforming them through the talents of the people who live there. The facilities would be unique to each community, shaped by their vision, and aimed at allowing everyone to tap into their innate abilities as “makers.”
The most exciting part about our work is the direct relationships and collaboration with Compton residents. Since conception, we have gathered feedback and input from local residents to guide our work. By involving the community in every step of the work, we are tailoring our programming to meet the needs of the community. We are committed to contributing to the city’s transformation by incorporating the community’s voice, talents, and skills.
In short, we work with the community.
With the support of donors, sponsors, volunteers, and partner organizations, we opened our Tool Library to local residents. Now, we are able to regularly host hands-on events and loan tools out to members. Through the tool library, workshops, Repair Clinics, Makers Fairs, and community events, we plan to make The Makers Hub a staple in the city. We want Compton to know we are here to help them make a difference and here to stay.
You can learn more about upcoming events by visiting https://themakershub.org/events/ or subscribing to our newsletter.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Drive. Passion. Community.
Starting a nonprofit organization is not easy and, had I known what it entailed, I probably wouldn’t have done it. My passion and commitment to The Makers Hub’s mission keep me going. The desire to give people opportunities that were not available to them wakes me up every morning and fuels my motivation to establish this organization.
The third piece of this puzzle is the community. From when The Makers Hub was just an idea to present day, getting the community involved in the process was vital. As an organization, we were intentional about interacting with Compton residents, finding out what they wanted, and figuring out how we could help.
Early on, a Neighborhood Block Club Leader named Gilda told me, “ If I wanted to make this idea really happen, I needed to show up for the community”. That meant meeting people and participating in community meetings and events. It was essential for us to show up as members of the community aiming to help and support, not fix what we thought was broken. This approach was a game changer and allowed us to tailor our services to directly address the issues faced by residents. That turned into the opening of the Tool Library, hosting workshops, and providing access to machines like printers and laser cutters for community use.
I also remember being told early on, ”Many people come here with great ideas, take what they need from the community, and leave.” I am bound to not be that person. The desire to give people opportunities that are not available motivates me to achieve the promised vision.
My biggest advice for anyone looking to start a community project is to be present in the community you want to serve. There is immense strength in collaboration and working with dedicated individuals towards a common goal. Having a dedicated team of staff and volunteers makes all the difference. We have an awesome volunteer base and advisory team that serves as our direct line to the community. Our internal community is truly built from the community we are serving.
On a personal note, being mindful of time management and understanding the importance of building a team are two things that will make leadership not feel overwhelming. I’m currently relearning how to be mindful of balancing The Makers Hub with other parts of my life, such as my family, friends, home, and travel. Being able to identify things I’m not good at and pass those tasks to others reinforces the values of collaboration and trust within our team. The Makers Hub is truly a project for the community, by the community. Even within the organization, we are constantly collaborating and ensuring that all team members have a voice in our initiatives, programs, and events. As we continue to build, we are constantly pivoting and finding inspiration from our community interactions.
Our team tells me I’m a “boots-on-the-ground” kind of leader. I’m present at community meetings, learning and building with residents, attending events, and always looking for ways to connect with other local organizations. The Makers Hub might have been my idea, but this community makes it happen.
I want us to be known as the organization that brings opportunities, skills training, and support for entrepreneurship. Our goal is to contribute to the transformation of Compton through the innovation, talent, and energy of its people.
We’re currently open Friday to Sunday from 9 am-6 pm and welcome everyone to come visit us! We’re hard at work seeking additional funding to increase our operating hours and service to the community.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
At the Makers Hub, we are looking for passionate people who want to make an impact in the lives of others and reap the joy of having purpose and feelings of fulfillment. One of our core values is collaboration, which has been held throughout our work through partnerships. Another core value is collaboration which has held true throughout our work with the partnerships we’ve formed with other organizations, community members, and local businesses.
The Compton community is determined to revitalize and uplift their beloved town, and we are here to support them with the tools (literally and figuratively) to make that vision a reality. Through workshops, access to equipment, and space to create, we’re providing opportunities for the people of Compton to take control of their futures. Through our sharing economy model, we emphasize the importance of reducing waste, protecting our planet, and working together.
We are seeking passionate individuals who want to be part of this movement, who believe in the power of community, and who are ready to make a difference. Since opening our Tool Library & Makerspace, we’ve connected with several organizations eager to collaborate, and the momentum is growing fast!
And we’re just getting started! We are being asked for more workshops, expanded makerspaces, and even more offsite events. We are also forming a comprehensive advisory and development team to help us realize our mission of creating a full-scale community makerspace in Compton. This future space will house shops (wood, metalworking, culinary, crafts, robotics, etc.), multimedia studios, collaborative areas, and teaching hubs. It will be a place where the community can hone their skills, start businesses, and build a prosperous future within Compton!
We are looking for new board and advisory members, volunteers, and partners who want to make a lasting impact. If you see yourself as part of this movement and want to contribute to Compton’s transformation, we’d love to hear from you!
Send us an email about how you’d like to be involved at [email protected]. Together, let’s build a place where people make it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://themakershub.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themakershuborg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comptonmakershub
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-makers-hub/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
