We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristy Jackson, ED.S. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristy , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Being often the only one in the room who looks like me, I’ve embraced my purpose as a pioneer to spotlight the inherent creativity in others and pave the way for future leaders. My journey includes several firsts: I was the first African American woman to become the Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator in a local school district. My husband and I were also the first African-American couple to open a coworking space in St. Louis, designed specifically to support Black and Brown businesses. Currently, I serve as the inaugural Executive Director at the Anheuser-Busch School of Business Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harris State University, the only HBCU in St. Louis. These roles have not only been a platform for me to demonstrate service and leadership but also a commitment to ensure that those who come after me see opportunities and feel inspired and safe to follow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Raised by a Dreamer mother and a Disruptor father, I was taught early that the sky is not my limit. This mindset has driven me to use my talents to develop tools, resources, and spaces that help people excel. As the Executive Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harris-Stowe State University’s Anheuser-Busch School of Business, I spearhead initiatives that empower Black and Brown scholars and community members through innovative programs, including two early-stage accelerators and a facilitator training program.
I am a #1 bestselling author with titles like Dream, Sink, Launch, designed to motivate entrepreneurs to dream bigger and pursue their goals actively. I also created the trademarked Bizperation brand and founded the SheCan Connect women’s professional faith and business network. My work has earned me recognition from the U.S. Small Business Administration as a National Emerging Leader, inclusion in St. Louis Small Business Magazine’s 100 St. Louisans to Know, and roles such as Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation Alumna and founding Co-Director of the TEDxStLouis Ambassador Program.
With over 20 years of experience with highs and lows, I have become a trusted consultant, coach, author, and speaker known as the Black Godmother of Entrepreneurs, guiding clients with a relatable style that catalyzes action. My driving force is my faith and the belief that “It only seems impossible until it is done,” a quote by Nelson Mandela. Outside of work, I cherish global travel and enjoying great food with my family—my husband James and two daughters, Kelsie and Jada, who keep me laughing and grounded.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey include:
1. Visionary Leadership:
I am a trailblazer which is a quality that has allowed me to see potential where others might not and to take the lead in developing new programs and opportunities, such as the first coworking space in St. Louis for Black and Brown businesses and the innovative programs at the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
To cultivate this quality as a new leader, immerse yourself in diverse environments and learn from different perspectives. Attend workshops, read extensively, and engage in continuous learning about your field and beyond. ASK QUESTIONS! Network with other visionaries to understand how they interpret the world and identify opportunities.
2. Entrepreneurial Spirit:
It is in my nature to see a gap and offer a purposeful solution to fill it. This is how I became an author,product developer, and founder of my brands and networks. The entrepreneurial spirit is at my core which gives me the ability to innovate, take calculated risks, and persevere through challenges.
My advice for those early in their journey, start small with projects that challenge your comfort zone and allow you to tackle manageable risks. Learn from each experience, whether it ends in success or failure, and gradually scale your efforts. Start with your DREAM, then be prepared for the SINK moments that are inevitable in your path to LAUNCH! Surround yourself with mentors (or my book – DREAM,SINK,Launch) and peers who encourage and challenge your entrepreneurial instincts.
3. Effective Communication:
In order for others to value and understand your ideas you have to communicate effectively. My gift for engaging diverse audiences as a speaker and facilitator has undoubtedly played a critical role in my ability to inspire, educate, and lead others.
Practice makes perfect if you desire to improve communication . Take every opportunity to speak publicly, write, and engage in discussions, especially in diverse settings. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues and mentors, and consider formal training in public speaking or writing, if necessary. Engaging regularly in platforms like TEDx, public radio, and business forums can also enhance your visibility and communication skills.
Each of these qualities have been foundational to my secret sauce that shaped my career. I also want to encourage continuous personal growth and proactive networking as ways to cultivate these essential qualities.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I am the daughter of a Dreamer and a Disruptor so I learned early to do things my own way.
My mom was a professional singer and entrepreneur who taught me that the sky is the beginning of my dreams, but I have to do the work that it takes to go beyond to create what may not exist . My mom traveled the world singing with national gospel artists and performing in the opera Porgy and Bess when we were young. However, she realized that my brother and I needed her at home so she gave up that career to raise her children. Her decision was a demonstration of integrity and servant leadership- which are core values for me. She then decided to pivot, with faith in God, to become an entrepreneur and open her own private music studio where she taught voice and piano to children and adults for over 20 years. I can proudly say that my mother was the first female, faith-led entrepreneur that inspired me to become one years later.
My dad, the Disrupter, was one of the first black managers for the Proctor and Gamble company. He was featured in national magazines and celebrated for this accomplishment publicly, but he was told internally by the company that managers don’t look like him -with a full Afro and facial hair so they asked him to cut his beard. So he told them they could keep that job because he knew his value went beyond his crown. So ultimately, he left that job, but he gained the legacy of being the first in many other leadership roles in other companies; which I carry that legacy as his daughter today. Doing things that are unexpected is my secret sauce and has afforded me opportunities to make connections that have opened doors that I could not have imagined that I would walk through. My parents prepared me for my purpose and I will always honor them for that!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristythegpscoach.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkkdj/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99NuTT7rr72uNqekyF9gUA
- Other: SheCan Connect Women’s Faith and Business Network https://shecanconnect.com/
