“Community to me is a place where all the citizens are counted, have value. Additionally, it is a place of healthy, thriving individuals. This would take the form of safe affordable housing that is close to where people work, innovative educational facilities and curriculums, equity, inclusive businesses and multicultural arts and entertainment,” says EMSDC President & CEO Stephanie Swepson Twitty.
The Asheville-based nonprofit focuses on small business development with a vision of equity and social justice for all.
Read on for our interview with Twitty below…
Tell us about your business and the role you play in it.
Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation, CDC (EMSDC) is a mature 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization (NPO); inception 1994. Our mission is to develop people, property and businesses and we envision equitable, inclusive communities for all.
EMSDC’s value proposition is, “not for profit but for community benefit”.
Our programming focuses primarily on small business development, education and training through the lens of “asset building and wealth creation”. Additionally, we offer nontraditional capital for small businesses, (3 or less employees).
In my role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), I oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations, supervise its employees and work closely with the Board of Directors to create clear strategies that will advance the organization’s mission.
Where did your vision begin? How has it grown?
EMSDC’s vision began with the community. Dr. John H. Grant, Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 47 Eagle St, 28801. Dr. Grant, his trustees and congregants gave birth to Eagle Market Sts., in their quest, desire to preserve the “oldest thriving African American commercial business district in the state. The vision grew into the Eagle Market Place complex, 19-46, Eagle and South Market Streets. While there has been significant blending of the district the largest landowners are predominantly people of color
If you had to give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in the nonprofit realm, what would it be?
Our strongest advice regarding starting a nonprofit would be to fully understand that the term non-profit refers to a designation appropriated by the IRS which allows some tax exemption for organizations whose activities are largely for charitable purposes.
“Nonprofit does not mean no profit”. NPO’s must have strong bottom lines to manage their operations, simply put they must have ways to raise revenues that are not tied to philanthropic support.
What does the word “community” mean to you?
Community to me is a place where all the citizens are counted, have value. Additionally, it is a place of healthy, thriving individuals. This would take the form of safe affordable housing that is close to where people work, innovative educational facilities and curriculums, equity, inclusive businesses and multicultural arts and entertainment.