We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hillary Van Dyke a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hillary, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.
I think one way that I try to impact the underserved is through the Green Book of Tampa Bay Inc, which is a 501c3 located in St. Petersburg, FL.
The Green Book of Tampa Bay is a Black-owned business directory that serves all of Tampa Bay, primarily Pinellas and Hillsborough County. Our mission is to increase Black economic vitality in Tampa Bay by connecting Black businesses and the broader community through a digital business directory, business development resources, and cultural experiences.
Our name is a nod to the Victor Hugo Green’s Negro Motorist Green Book, the guidebook listing safe places for Black Americans traveling across Jim Crow America. Now, we aim to provide you with information on Black historical and cultural sites, Black artists, and Black-owned businesses in Tampa Bay that ALL people can support. These businesses might not pop up on Google searches, so we try to help close that gap!
Hillary, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Purdue University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida- St Petersburg. I am currently pursuing a doctorate in social sciences curriculum and instruction at the University of South Florida.
From 2008 to 2021, I served in roles from middle school ELA teacher to high school staff developer to district administrator over DEI initiatives. I am now an independent contractor who works with museums, nonprofits, and educational companies to help students, faculty, and the community to see their inherent brilliance.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
All my work, from voluteerism to paid work, is related to uplifting and showcasing Black brilliance. Due to that commitment, I am fortunate to get work in these sorts of spaces regularly, so I think people trust my work and commitment.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The St Pete Chamber of Commerce’s Greenhouse has many resources for professional development I have learned from. Also, Pinellas Community Foundation has been instrumental in resources specific to nonprofit management.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greenbooktb.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/greenbooktb
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/greenbooktb