Growing Hope & Legacy Wealth in Marketplaces: Lessons from Sherman Phoenix

This training is offered in partnership with Sherman Phoenix. ‍

Course Session Dates

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 10am–12 pm ET
• Thursday, November 6, 10am–12pm ET
• Sessions will take place over Zoom.

About the Course

Are you passionate about transforming communities through entrepreneurship, placemaking, and equity-focused redevelopment?

This mini-course explores the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace as a nationally recognized model for community-driven redevelopment, inclusive economic development, and legacy wealth-building. Designed for practitioners working in community engagement, redevelopment, urban markets, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, this course offers practical strategies for building entrepreneurial support systems, engaging residents, and securing funding for sustainable, market-based projects rooted in community assets.

Over two sessions, participants will learn how to design thriving market hubs that promote long-term social and economic outcomes. This training will also highlight the vital roles of private investors, grantors, and local collaborators in market resilience and wealth generation for historically disinvested communities.

Topics will Include

• Understanding the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace as a community model

• Designing entrepreneurial support systems in community markets

• Funding strategies for market-based development

• Building partnerships across sectors (public, private, and non-profit)

• Engaging communities in meaningful and participatory ways

• Placemaking strategies and the role of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

• Measuring impact and ensuring long-term sustainability of community markets

• Using community markets as a foundation for building legacy wealth through ownership, entrepreneurship, and cultural resilience

What to Expect

Each two-hour session will consist of:

• Presentations and interactive case study exploration

• Resource and stakeholder mapping exercises

• Breakout discussions

• Q&A with experienced practitioners and developers

Supplemental resources will be available for review via an online learning platform.

Facilitators & Speakers

JoAnne Sabir, Co-Founder, Sherman Phoenix & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builder. JoAnne is a strategic visionary, social entrepreneur, and founder of the award-winning Sherman Phoenix in Milwaukee, Wisconsin a vibrant hub for community and economic growth that houses 30 Black-owned businesses and exemplifies her commitment to sustainable, joy-centered development. Her life’s work is rooted in community redevelopment and empowerment, with a focus on placing neighbors at the center of asset-based development. JoAnne champions initiatives that foster joy, build collective wealth, and prioritize the mental and physical well-being of communities and community organizations.

Her impressive portfolio includes over $100 million directed toward central city community redevelopment, demonstrating her ability to merge strategic vision with impactful outcomes. With more than 20 years of experience in leadership development, real estate, and strategic partnership curation, JoAnne has established herself as a leader in transformative, community-centered development.

As a coach and mentor, JoAnne is dedicated to supporting the current and next generations of social architects for good. She empowers leaders to design and implement transformative solutions that prioritize equity, wellness, and lasting change.

Stacia Thompson, President & CEO, Sherman Phoenix Foundation. Dr. Stacia Thompson is the President & CEO of the Sherman Phoenix Foundation in Milwaukee, WI. Dr. Thompson is known for being a change agent in developing economic empowerment and workforce strategies. With deep expertise in community development, program development, entrepreneurial services and economic development, she is also an expert speaker and facilitator for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Her previous roles include tenures at the University of Wisconsin Parkside, Gateway Technical College, City Colleges of Chicago and the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

In addition to her professional roles, Thompson has served on many boards such as Community Women’s Club, Hispanic Business and Professionals Association, National Council of Workforce Education, Career Launch Chicago Advisory Committee, Cook County Coordinated Re Entry Council, Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute Workforce Development Board, Racine Creative Center, The Main Project, Islands of Brilliance, and Fathers Making Progress. She is a past recipient of the UW Parkside Community Service Award, YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin Women of Distinction Award, Black Softball Circuit Hall of Fame inductee, Professional Women’s Network for Service Inspiring Women Leadership Award, Milwaukee Business Journal Woman of Influence, 98.3 Black History Jammin’ Legend and Milwaukee Community Journal Diamond Honoree. Under her leadership, the Sherman Phoenix was awarded the BizTimes Non-Profit Social Enterprise of the Year.

Invoices

If credit card payment is not an option, please email events@pps.org to request to pay by invoice (via check or wire transfer). Once your payment is received, we will send instructions on how to register for the training.

Scholarships

Apply for a pay-what-you-can scholarship application through the form. 

The deadline to apply is Thursday October 2, 2025 by 11:59pm ET. 

Please note we only have a limited amount of scholarship funding and our process will follow a pay-what-you-can model where you will propose what you are able to pay to attend this training. This amount will not factor into your application review.

Historically, placemaking as a profession has only been accessible to a privileged few. To that end, this scholarship application process will prioritize candidates from low-income communities, communities of color, and other communities affected by social inequities. Priority will also be given to candidates who clearly describe how the training will support their current work or professional development.

Notifications: MidOctober

Questions?

Please contact us at events@pps.org.

About Project for Public Spaces

Project for Public Spaces is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings public spaces to life by planning and designing them with the people who use them every day. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, Project for Public Spaces has spent the past five decades bringing some of the most successful public places in the world to life. Today, we remain committed to putting community participation at the center of everything we do, from placemaking partnerships with corporations and foundations to our workshops, trainings, conferences, and more. Our interdisciplinary team has helped over 3,500 communities in 52 countries create inclusive places that change our society for the better. Together, we can build a world where every public space is community-powered. ‍

Photo Credit: My Brand Photographer