Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) has made a pair of hires for new roles focused on expanding entrepreneurship programming for members of its campus and the broader St. Louis community.
The historically black university has appointed Kristy Daniels Jackson as director of its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Brandi Brooks as director of its Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement (MECCA). Both are newly created roles.
The addition of Daniels and Brooks comes as HSSU expects to soon begin construction on its new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which will be located adjacent to its campus in Midtown. The center is designed to be a hub to support and train entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. Contractor selection for the new center will be reviewed for approval in April, with construction to begin immediately following approval, a spokesman said. Construction is expected to last 10 months.
HSSU’s MECCA initiative launched in 2021 to be a “hub of campus and community entrepreneurial activities” to support entrepreneurs from minority groups and grow their business ventures. It holds training, workshops and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs and also helps founders with business functions such as accounting and licensing. MECCA last year held an accelerator program for justice-involved entrepreneurs.
In their new roles, Jackson and Brooks will oversee HSSU’s entrepreneurial initiatives, focusing on developing partnerships and programming to serve its campus and the St. Louis community, HSSU said.
“I am thrilled that Kristy and Brandi are here to elevate the CIE and MECCA,” said Stacy Gee Hollins, HSSU's interim associate provost of academic affairs and dean of the Anheuser-Busch School of Business. “I have had the pleasure of working with Kristy on numerous projects. Her passion and commitment to developing entrepreneurs throughout the St. Louis community is unmatched. And we are thrilled to bring Brandi on board. I am confident that she will bring an inventive and fresh new perspective to the team.”
HSSU said Jackson had previously been a consultant, helping create programming for MECCA.
“I have always believed in the CIE and MECCA mission and have enjoyed working to elevate the vision. Being able to help people grow and develop, and watching them continue to thrive as scholars and business owners, has been the most rewarding part of my time here. I look forward to continued success,” Jackson said.
Brooks has experience in marketing and digital media and previously worked for St. Louis advertising technology startup Advocado, according to her LinkedIn profile.
“Serving as MECCA Director is a major opportunity, an especially compelling reason to deeply connect with the St. Louis community,” Brooks said. “Having a direct impact on the underserved and underrepresented population in the area resonates with me. I am eager to use my knowledge and skills to boost Harris-Stowe MECCA forward as a major player in the entrepreneurial landscape.”
HSSU reported total headcount enrollment for 2022-2023 of 1,084, down from 1,210 the previous year. In November, The Higher Learning Commission of Chicago put HSSU "on notice," saying it's at risk of being out of compliance with accreditation criteria. The university in December said its Anheuser-Busch School of Business has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs until 2032.
