Mission Driven Business Empowering The LGBTQ+ Community With Sean Ebony Coleman
Brian Thompson chats with Sean Ebony Coleman, founder and CEO of Destination Tomorrow, a grassroots agency and LGBTQ+ center in the Bronx borough of New York City. Destination Tomorrow empowers the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ community members through educational, financial, support-based, housing, and health programs. On the episode, Sean details how he and his organization are addressing some of the real challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community. He also shares how he starts his mornings to stay focused and touts the value of lived experience for organizations.
Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses solve real problems.Sean defines a mission-driven business as one that aligns every decision to its core purpose to solve real problems. For him, that means creating a safe, affirming space for the Black and brown LGBTQ+ community through Destination Tomorrow and his consulting company.
"It's about solving real problems, especially for marginalized people, and making a tangible impact," he said. "I'm trying to meet the need where we find it."
Let lived experience lead.Sean believes in breaking down gatekeeping and elevating community voices that are often overlooked. His nonprofit prioritizes hiring people with lived experience and offering holistic services -- from workforce development to financial literacy -- to build long-term self-sufficiency.
"Lived experience should count just as much as academic accomplishments," he said.
Bet on yourself and don't give up.Sean's advice for entrepreneurs who are just getting started is to bet on yourself and don't give up. To start Destination Tomorrow, he cashed out a 401(k). He then had to see the "nos" he encountered as opportunities for growth.
"Too many people give up on their dreams before they get to a yes," he said. "A 'no' is just a 'not right now.'"
Self-care is just as important as hustling.Black and brown communities, particularly in LGBTQ+ spaces, often don't have a safety net. When you're grinding to build your business, you also need to prioritize time to rest and recenter. For Sean, that means starting his morning with prayer and meditation and keeping a weekly therapy appointment on his calendar.
"Starting a business is stressful, so how are you managing that stress?" he asked. "Go in with a plan to make sure you're prioritizing your self care."
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Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit.
On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.