Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Thompson. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Andrea Thompson started Ladies Entrepreneur Empowerment Circle, aka LEEC, on March 21, 2019, as an online private Facebook group for Women of Color Entrepreneurs and Business Owners to build generational wealth in the family and community. Within ninety days, LEEC became an LLC and 501C3 by July 2019. She created a grassroots entrepreneurial ecosystem without a budget or staff to engage the community. LEEC is a volunteer-based organization.
LEEC’s Vision is to empower, nurture, and develop more confident women of color as leaders in business as they grow and expand their businesses while focusing on “Self-Care” and family.
LEEC’s Mission is to provide global support, resources, and assistance to inspiring and established disadvantaged women of color entrepreneurs.
LEEC has both arms of the LLC & 501C3, with nearly 5,000 Women Entrepreneurs/Business Owners in Detroit and over 9,000 nationally and internationally. In the past four years since the inception of LEEC, we have made extreme community Impact through community outreach in collaboration with many businesses, non-profits, and community leaders. Our goal is to build healthy and vibrant communities.
LEEC serves Metro Detroit through the social and economic development of the community and residents throughout Metro Detroit. Our overall purpose is to enhance the well-being of residents and empower families to achieve the American Dream through advocacy services that open doors and create economic opportunities to advance education, healthcare, homeownership, business ownership, and upward mobility. LEEC addresses economic and racial inequities through direct programs and community service projects that focus on racial disparities in educational and economic outcomes, that not only impact the financial well-being of racial and ethnic minority women but LEEC also contributes to the inhibited economic growth for the Metro Detroit and the U.S. economy as a whole, which affects the financial security of every American, regardless of race.
LEEC Sisterhood
LEEC Sisterhood is the vibrant tapestry that weaves together the strength, support, and solidarity among women. It’s a powerful bond that transcends boundaries and empowers us to rise together. For me, the importance of sisterhood lies in its ability to foster unity, understanding, and celebration of each other’s successes and struggles.
In a world where women often face societal barriers, sisterhood becomes a sanctuary—a space in LEEC where we can share our stories, dreams, and challenges without fear of judgment. It’s about lifting each other up, amplifying their voices, and championing one another’s ambitions.
The solidarity within the LEEC sisterhood offers a sense of belonging and validation. It’s about building a community that embraces diversity, where differences in experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives are celebrated rather than divisive. Through sisterhood, we learn from each other, grow together, and become catalysts for change.
Moreover, the strength derived from LEEC sisterhood isn’t just about supporting one another individually; it’s also about collective empowerment. When women come together, incredible things happen. We break barriers, shatter stereotypes, and pave the way for future generations of empowered women.
LEEC Sisterhood isn’t just a connection; it’s a force—an unwavering alliance that fuels our determination to create a more equitable and inclusive world. It’s about standing shoulder to shoulder, lifting each other’s spirits, and forging a path where every woman can thrive.
LEEC lifts the Poor out of Poverty
The LEEC FREE Entrepreneur Literacy Fellowship program lifts the poor out of poverty. LEEC addresses economic and racial inequities through direct programs and community service projects that focus on racial disparities in educational and economic outcomes, that not only impact the financial well-being of racial and ethnic minority women but LEEC also contribute to the inhibited economic growth for Detroit and the U.S. economy as a whole, which affects the financial security of every American, regardless of race.
LEEC serves the Detroit community
LEEC serves Detroit through the social and economic development of the Black community and residents in Detroit. Our overall purpose is to enhance the well-being of residents and empower Black families to achieve the American Dream through advocacy services that open doors and create economic opportunities to advance education, healthcare, homeownership, business ownership, and upward mobility.
Specific LEEC Community Service Engagement Activities 2019-2023 Empowered Black Women Entrepreneurs to become Public & Community Speakers at LEEC Events, Therapy Healing Circles, Mental Health Counseling Sessions, Voter Education Empowerment Workshops, Accountability Partnership Programs, Easter Gift Basket Drives, Community Food Drives, Holiday Gift Bags for Homeless Mothers and Fathers local Shelters, Youth Business Brunches, Back to School Supply Drive, Halloween Candy Drives, Human Sex Trafficking victim support (donation of clothing to shelters), Domestic Violence victim support (donation of clothing to shelters), Donations of hygiene items & other related items to local Boys Homes, Youth Entrepreneur Scholarships, Free Empowerment Classes (Entrepreneurship Literacy, Business 101, Media Training, etc.).
LEEC plans have impacted the community by bringing about social change for disadvantaged groups, improving community decision-making, reducing crime, improving safety and public health, spurring local economies, and more. Our plans have ensured ongoing attention and consideration to safety and social objectives; they enhanced the ability of citizens to gain better access to decision-making systems and helped to have their concerns heard by elected officials; and our work ensured involvement of all sectors of the community in the work for change.
LEEC expects to improve the quality of life for Detroit long term by sustaining the work LEEC has begun empowering residents’ perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and about their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. Quality of life is a highly subjective measure of happiness essential to many financial decisions. Factors that play a role in the quality of life vary according to personal preferences, but they often include financial security, job satisfaction, family life, health, and safety.
LEEC’s community impact will strengthen Detroit by increasing the social impact and creating opportunities that are otherwise unavailable to minorities or the underprivileged. LEEC can help residents get access to quality education, start small businesses, access clean water, achieve gender equality, or obtain decent work and thus gain economic growth and more.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a challenging road. Many struggles were encountered, turning into learning experiences and opportunities to build a strong foundation with a blueprint for others to follow. The strain of access to funding for women of color entrepreneurs, burnout is confirmed when you are the only full-time staff, managing time is almost non-existent, especially if you are still working a full-time job like me, balancing business and family life is problematic because it’s only so much time in a day to get things done. Dedicating myself to starting and nurturing a business to succeed, it is nearly impossible to manage another career simultaneously. Still, somehow, with the grace of God, I can do both very well.
Being a visionary is difficult as an entrepreneur who continuously thinks and plans for the future. I have to come up with creative and innovative ideas. Being an entrepreneur involves a lot of uncertainty. I dealt with a general ambiguity regarding my business’s chance of success. As a new entrepreneur, I am forced to make hundreds of decisions daily and deal with thousands of women in my organization daily.
As you know, we’re big fans of the Ladies Entrepreneur Empowerment Circle. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
LEEC believes the key to building a thriving ecosystem is to connect a community across all its social boundaries: bottom-up, top-down, and outside-in. Ecosystem builders must seek opportunities for different groups in the community to come together, learn each other’s stories, and work together.
I can help you find peace and clarity in making decisions as an entrepreneur. I can assist you in feeling confident presenting your most authentic self to your clients, and understanding who we are meant to serve.
I can help you change your life by Manifesting your DREAMS. When you connect with who you are, you create and generate business that aligns with your purpose and reason. When this happens, peace, love, and joy will find you.
I’m a member of LEEC Business Besties, and I think you should be too. Join the movement!
leec-business-besties.mn.co/share/BLhRxRiXw6Ny21xm
“Our app will offer you.”-Monthly Classes-Live Streams-Exclusive Content-Accountability Partners-Interest Groups-Giveaways-Girl Chats-Girl’s Trips (Local, National & International)-Community Service Opportunities-Networking Opportunities (In-Person & Virtual)-LEEC Zoom Inspirational Meetings-LEEC Entrepreneur Scholarship opportunities-LEEC Exclusive Workshops, Seminars, Gala Events, Activities, Conferences, Retreats and more
Available on IOS & Android devices! Join Today!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is working in my grandparents’ businesses on Linwood near W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. They had companies in Black Bottom Detroit, but a freeway was built, and they had to move. My grandparents were in business in Linwood for over 25 years, with my father’s restaurant next door. I remember working alongside my father, learning how to cook seafood.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ladiesentrepreneurempowermentcircle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroitleec/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LadiesEntreprenuerEmpowermentCircle
- Other: https://linktr.ee/leecdetroit
Image Credits
LEEC Literacy Fellowship Program Summer 2023
Huntington Bank
