E52: Empowering Youth Through Flower Farming with Hannah Blackwell of Southside Blooms

Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising

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This episode of the Lead with Heart podcast features Hannah Blackwell, founder and creative director of Southside Blooms, a social enterprise nonprofit based in Chicago.
Southside Blooms transforms vacant urban land into productive flower farms using solar power and sustainable methods. Hannah shares how her childhood love of nature led her to establish Southside Blooms' youth training program, which provides job and leadership skills in the floral industry.
Through urban farming and a flower shop social enterprise, Southside Blooms empowers inner-city youth while beautifying communities.
We discussed topics like developing leadership in nonprofit programs, implementing social enterprises, and making environmental sustainability accessible on a community level.
In this episode:

• [01:40] Hannah's childhood creativity and community service influenced her founding of Southside Blooms to empower youth.
• [04:07] Southside Blooms transforms vacant land into productive flower farms using solar power and rainwater irrigation.
• [07:53] The youth program starts with basic floral skills and builds leadership over time.
• [12:29] Hannah's Mennonite upbringing shaped her faith-based approach to service and nonprofit leadership focused on character.
• [18:48] What exactly is a social enterprise?
• [25:05] Environmental sustainability is implemented through community-level practices.

RESOURCES
CONNECT WITH HANNAH
Facebook: @SouthsideBlooms
Instagram: @southsideblooms
LinkedIn: Southside Blooms
Website: southsideblooms.com

My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies to help nonprofit leaders turn visions into reality, and create meaningful impact

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CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. She founded The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business, and has experience with nonprofits in human services, homelessness, and youth sectors. Specializing in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, Haley is dedicated to empowering nonprofit leaders to create thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
Produced by Ideablossoms