Fostering Social Entrepreneurship and Community Building: Michelle Geiss and the Impact Hub Baltimore Story

Join us on 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, where your host, Rob Lee, leads the way. With our today’s guest Michelle Geiss, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Impact Hub Baltimore, a vibrant community workspace fostering over 500 social entrepreneurs annually. With an extensive background spanning eighteen years in program design and strategy for social innovation and enterprise, Michelle spearheads a local economy in Baltimore that champions equity, innovation, and civic prosperity. Hailing from Philadelphia and educated in Maine, Michelle's global experiences culminated in her arrival to Baltimore for an MPH at Hopkins School of Public Health in 2011, where she draws inspiration from the city's grassroots leadership. Committed to forging a more just, joyful, and abundant world, Michelle Geiss continues to lead the charge in social entrepreneurship and community development through her impactful work at Impact Hub Baltimore.

In this installment, we reveal:

• The pervasive impact of Baltimore's disinvestment and racism, exploring how these structural barriers contribute to a stark 20-year life expectancy gap among neighborhoods.
• Uncover the multifaceted role of Impact Hub Baltimore as a nurturing ground for entrepreneurs and small business owners, investigating how this space fosters collaboration, resource-sharing, and community enrichment.
• Explore the dynamic initiatives of The Base Network, orchestrated by the Baltimore Development Corporation, to delve into the realm of equitable grant distribution and targeted support for small businesses, particularly those serving underserved communities.

Get ready to be inspired as Michelle shares her journey and motivation for creating a space that supports social entrepreneurs and small business owners in Baltimore. She discusses the importance of community and collaboration in driving positive change and highlights the structural barriers that exist in the city. Michelle also emphasizes the need for resources and support for entrepreneurs, as well as the power of serendipitous connections and spontaneous interactions in fostering creativity and growth.

Mentioned in this episode:
Impact Hub Baltimore

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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