Stephen with some of our members and alumni.
By Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant – Chair, WIBO Board of Directors
For more than half a century, the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) has served as a beacon of hope, economic mobility, and entrepreneurial empowerment. As Board Chair, I have the honor of carrying forward a mission shaped by remarkable leaders whose dedication has transformed not just businesses but entire communities. Among the most influential of these leaders was Stephen Jackson, a visionary whose passion, integrity, and unwavering commitment helped define WIBO’s legacy.
Stephen understood a profound truth: entrepreneurship is a pathway to freedom, dignity, ownership, and generational wealth. Long before discussions about equity and access became mainstream, Stephen championed underserved founders, including people of color, women, immigrants, returning citizens, young adults and small-business owners who were often excluded from traditional avenues of opportunity.
The establishment of the Stephen Jackson Legacy Fund is our way of honoring his memory and ensuring that his life’s work continues to make a meaningful impact. This fund upholds his commitment by keeping WIBO’s programs accessible, high-quality, and community-centered. Contributions to this fund support scholarships, strengthen our curriculum, expand facilitator training, and help bring our signature 16-week workshop into more neighborhoods where entrepreneurial dreams are often abundant but resources are limited.
“Entrepreneurship is a pathway to freedom, dignity, ownership, and generational wealth.”
However, this fund is more than just financial support; it embodies Stephen’s belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of zip code, circumstance, or starting point. His legacy lives on in every graduate who enters entrepreneurship with confidence, in every business that reinvests in its community, and in every new idea that blossoms into opportunity.
During his lifetime, Stephen Jackson opened countless doors. His impact was immeasurable, and his legacy is eternal.
The Stephen Jackson Legacy Fund invites alumni, leaders, corporations, and champions of economic justice to help carry forth the torch he lit. By supporting this fund, we ensure that Stephen’s vision—rooted in service, empowerment, and community uplift—continues to illuminate pathways for generations to come.
— Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant, Board Chair, WIBO
Stephen Jackson was not only my WIBO mentor but also my running coach and friend. He left a valuable impact on my life that is truly unforgettable.
I thank God for people like Stephen Jackson . It was a pleasure to meet him during my entrepreneurship journey. May his legacy shine bright and inspire future entrepreneurs.
This is great. I look forward to supporting the cause.