Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Issiah Thomas.
Hi Dr. Thomas, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In 2017-2018 Issiah became one of the founders of a nonprofit organization. During the inception of Networking Knights his business partner Trevon J Holmes and himself started thinking about how to connect the minority community to the business community of the DFW Ecosystem and bring equity to the marginalized communities. This dream became a reality, and Networking Knights, a nonprofit organization, was launched.
*Networking Knights is an ambitious organization which helps connect people to captia, resources, knowledge, and most importantly connecting people to each other.
The Knight piece on in a chess game is the only piece that can strategically move outside of the other pieces. In life, we have to face challenges, obstacles, and setbacks with confidence in knowing that we can step back, take a deep breathe and strategically move in ways to overcome.
The Knight during the Renaissance Age served the King and the Queen under oath to protect the Kingdom
The Knight from a spiritual perspective is a person who serves humanity with empathy along with helping individuals discover their God-given greatness
Connecting all these pieces allows Networking Knights to connect people and build relationships of value, resilience, and impact.
As a highlight, The Networking Knights recently rolled out the Youth Development and Entrepreneur Leadership Program during the pandemic after a quick pivot from hosting in-person networking events, mixers, community projects, and Panel series.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Challenges Starting a nonprofit organization is full of exciting challenges and potential learning opportunities gained from the risks that come with the launch of a new nonprofit. Understanding these unique obstacles helped prepare us to handle the following challenges.
1. Selecting our target audience, service, and brand.
To start, we identified a demand in the entrepreneurial and our local community that could be met through our service.
2. Developed a strategy that would add equity, created a funnel to reach and connect with our target audience.
3. Established ways to capture starting funds
We started a fundraising campaign through North Texas Giving Day, holiday fundraisers, and local business relationships.
4. Staffing the organization with volunteers with specific specializations.
We sought out people who care about the organization’s mission and that would work hard and dedicate their time, energy, and resources.
5, Maintaining Confidence In The Business
It took a lot of confidence to start Networking and just as much to run the organization. It’s important for leaders and entrepreneurs to maintain confidence so you can lead effectively and make appropriate business decisions.
6. Collaborating With Partners
First lesson learned as a nonprofit leader, and entrepreneur is to assess areas of improvement, identifying partnership that might help grow the organization, and also the skills that can be learned from the partnership to benefit the organization. We learned along the way that It’s important to establish the terms of the partnership with a lawyer to protect all parties interests.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Issiah D. Thomas Jr., Ph.D. (aka: Zae) is an entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, life coach, philanthropist, mentor, educator, community, social organizer, and brand Ambassador. After obtaining a bachelor degree in Animal Science Pre-Veterinarian Medicine from Prairie View A&M University in 2000, and has since then pursued his master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix with a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Capella University with a well vers resume of educational, coaching, several organizational affiliation and research experience.
Issiah worked as an educator for 17yrs with Dallas ISD, UTSW Community Intervention and Prevention Health survey and HIV testing along with other government entities (F.E.M.A. & Census Bureau) JPMORGAN CHASE the FIRM, Store Manager for 7-Eleven and currently an Ambassador and Lead Flight Attendant for Delta Air Lines.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I take risk when it requires me to demonstrate Humility, Empathy, and Accountability. When taking risk, I have learned to follow my heart and first clear mind which oftentimes has led me to the right choice, option, and decision. As a person with a heart after God, He tells us to guard our hearts, minds and to protect our peace in being careful not to move in ways that are reckless and exposed to unnecessary emotional/physical stress or danger.
I believe in the principle that the greater the risk I take or request I ask for, the greater my faith has to be. This is necessary to take wise business risks that all entrepreneurs make at the beginning of their new ventures. Take the risk and stop blocking your blessings by being fearful and in your own way.
Contact Info:
- Website: Networkingknights.org
- Instagram: Business: Networkingknights / Personal: Iamsir_zae
- Facebook: Business: Networkingknights / Personal: zae thomas
- Linkedin: Issiah Thomas Jr
