Join our hosts, Dr. Nichole Thompson and Charisse Stokes, as they have candid conversations on entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and how these industries are growing are diversifying.
Recorded live from The Lab on Dexter, this podcast was born on one of the most historical streets in the nation: Dexter Avenue. A stone’s throw from the Alabama Capitol, The Lab is located at the crossroads of our nation’s civil and human rights journey.
Dr. Nichole Thompson is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record for launching successful startups both domestically and internationally. She is the founder of She Wins Global, a nonprofit organization that works to advance women and girls in marginalized and vulnerable communities across the globe, and is the founder and co-owner of AdaChic Designs, a socially conscious handbag company that supports entrepreneurs across Africa. She earned her Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and has also served in several senior administrative roles, including the role of Chief Diversity Officer. She’s co-authored multiple publications and has received numerous awards heralding her ability to thrust organizations to their next envisioned state.
Charisse Stokes is president of Tidal IT Solutions, LLC, an information technology consulting company in Montgomery, Alabama, a position she has held since 2017. In this role, she supports government and commercial industry clients by providing tech, innovation, and business development consulting services. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Ceramic Engineering from Clemson University and a master of business administration in Finance from Auburn University Montgomery. She previously served in a variety of leadership roles in the United States Air Force and for small business information technology firms managing multiple, large-scale IT projects worldwide. She currently serves on the board of Alabama Power Company; in addition to roles on the Business Council of Alabama, Alabama STEM Advisory Council, Computer Science Task Force, and the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA) International, AUM College of Business, Trenholm State Community College Computer Information Systems and Saint James School Boards. As the past Director of the Education Foundation for the Montgomery AFCEA Chapter which provided STEM initiatives to the local community, she founded EduWerx, a nonprofit organization exposing minorities and young women to STEM. Her greatest joy is spending time with her son, Dylan.