Today we’d like to introduce you to Lloyd Ford.
Hi Lloyd, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Creative Group Economics (CGE) started in 2017 after recognizing a clear gap in economic opportunity and real investment at the community level. Too many conversations about change were happening without action, so a small group began meeting once a month to identify practical business ideas that could generate revenue and be reinvested to help solve local issues. From the beginning, the focus was on collaboration—bringing people together to build something tangible rather than waiting on outside solutions. CGE started small, experimenting with ventures like vending machines and other grassroots ideas. Not every effort was successful, but each attempt provided lessons and momentum. What mattered most was the commitment to action, learning by doing, and consistently showing up. That mindset—start where you are, try, adjust, and keep moving—became the foundation of CGE and continues to guide its work today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Some of the biggest struggles didn’t come from a lack of ideas or effort, but from people we initially believed would be allies who ultimately worked against the mission. That reality forced hard lessons early on—about trust, alignment, and accountability. Along the way, CGE had to learn what works and what doesn’t, not just in business models but in navigating people, personalities, and competing ideologies. Bringing different perspectives into one room isn’t easy, especially when everyone comes in with their own priorities. Over time, those challenges sharpened the organization’s focus: distilling many viewpoints into a single, clear mission that people can understand, follow, and see themselves in. That process strengthened CGE, making it more disciplined, more intentional, and better equipped to turn collective effort into real outcomes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I pride myself on being an entrepreneur and creator when it comes to building both community initiatives and businesses. One example is the creation of The Black Store: Beauty Supply Experience, a Black-owned retail concept that went beyond shopping by including a nail shop, a community headquarters, and a community garden in the back. The goal was to prove that locally owned businesses could serve as economic engines and civic infrastructure at the same time. Revenue generated from the store was intentionally reinvested into community-led initiatives, including funding civic club and Super Neighborhood websites, supporting neighborhood organizing, and underwriting holiday-themed community events. That model—building businesses that fund the work instead of constantly asking for donations—reflects how I approach community development: create, sustain, and reinvest with purpose.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The biggest step is simply showing up and being present. Too many people look for mentors or networks without first putting themselves in rooms where real work is happening. What has worked best for me is understanding that people don’t just need your ideas—they need your time, your effort, your intellectual capital, and sometimes your financial support or your vote. When you show up consistently, help without immediately asking for something, and demonstrate that you can execute, relationships form naturally. Mentorship often grows out of shared work, not formal introductions. Be reliable, contribute value early, listen more than you talk, and don’t underestimate the power of consistency. People remember who shows up, who follows through, and who is willing to invest themselves in the same mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://creativegroupeconomics.org
- Instagram: creative_group_economics
- Facebook: Creative Group Economics
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeGroupEconomics
