We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole D. Scott. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole D. below.

Nicole D., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Looking back, I’ve really come to grasp the saying “timing is everything.” I remember starting different groups and businesses years ago, but none of them had the impact or stability of my current 7-year-old non-profit. Back then, I felt disheartened by the lack of progress and bewildered by how much I had invested personally without fruition of any progress. But what seemed like failure was actually a series of learning experiences in real time. Each setback taught me valuable lessons that eventually led to the creation of The BRidge Agency, INC. That came to life in May 2017, born from the wisdom gained through those earlier ventures. Our agency aims to implement various high-quality programs for community and economic development, youth empowerment, trauma-informed approaches, and services for low to moderate-income families. We work to address social drivers of crime in vulnerable areas through collaboration and partnerships, revitalizing neighborhoods and empowering families by highlighting social determinants of health and crime.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Absolutely! My journey into community engagement and advocacy work spans nearly twenty-two years and is deeply rooted in personal experiences. As a young single mother, I faced immense hardships, feeling disconnected from opportunities, resources, and mentors. Those tough days navigating life alone inspired my dedication to ensuring that no young person ever feels abandoned in their journey.

I vividly remember dropping my son off at school and spending hours in a public library, self-training on business startup, nonprofit status applications, grant writing, and more. Reflecting on my life’s journey fills me with immense gratitude for where I am today. The struggles of donating plasma just to feed my family have shaped my resilience and led me to found The BRidge Agency, INC.

My driving force has always been a perpetual hope and passion to connect families lacking opportunities to the support systems they need. For seven years, we’ve managed and implemented federally-funded projects, providing vital services to communities. In 2020, amidst the pandemic, our work expanded to include COVID-19 preparation, social services programs, virtual events on crime prevention, public safety, trauma, and mental health, along with youth services and community-based assistance programs targeting neighborhood challenges.

Our nonprofit is committed to community wellness through connectivity, awareness, prevention, and intervention. Being recognized by Goldman Sachs for the One Million Black Women Initiative in 2022 as one of the 50 black woman-led transformational organizations in the U.S. and being featured in the Washington Post stand as proud moments for us.

What sets us apart is our holistic approach and commitment to addressing multifaceted community needs. We strive not only to provide services but to foster lasting change and connectivity within underserved communities. Our dedication lies in empowering individuals and revitalizing communities, one step at a time.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The pandemic was a pivotal moment for us, demanding swift adaptation to continue serving our community. As the world faced unprecedented challenges, we had to pivot our approach to ensure we met the evolving needs.

2020 was a year of reevaluation and rapid response. We couldn’t continue our work in the same way, so we shifted gears. Our focus expanded to include crucial services directly related to COVID-19 preparation and prevention. We sponsored various virtual events centered on crime prevention, public safety, trauma, and mental health, acknowledging the heightened significance of these issues during such a tumultuous time.

Our team worked tirelessly to ensure continuity in our offerings. We revamped our youth services programs and training, recognizing the amplified importance of supporting young people navigating this uncertain period. Additionally, we initiated community-based technical assistance programs targeting specific challenges like neighborhood blight, public safety, and homelessness, acknowledging the amplified vulnerabilities these issues faced during the pandemic.

The pandemic reinforced our commitment to adaptability and resilience. It taught us the necessity of being nimble in our strategies and operations. While the circumstances were challenging, they also presented opportunities for innovation and growth.

Amidst the chaos, our pivot allowed us to remain deeply connected to the community’s needs. We realized the importance of flexibility and responsiveness in our approach, ensuring that despite the uncertainties, our support continued uninterrupted. The pandemic was a lesson in agility and perseverance, ultimately strengthening our resolve to serve our community, no matter the circumstances.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Our success, even in a relatively short time, stems from a combination of unwavering commitment to quality service and a relatable approach to our community. Consistency in delivering top-notch programs and services has been key. We made it a priority to ensure that every initiative we undertook maintained a high standard of quality, reflecting our dedication to making a real, impactful difference.

Beyond just providing services, our ability to relate to the people we serve has been instrumental. We’ve always approached our work with empathy, understanding the challenges and needs of our community because, at one point, I personally faced similar struggles. That relatability has allowed us to connect on a deeper level and build trust within the community.

Our reputation within the market has been built on this foundation of reliability, excellence, and relatability. We’ve become known for our genuine dedication to making positive changes in people’s lives. Our consistency in delivering what we promise, combined with a genuine understanding of the community’s needs, has helped us earn credibility and trust.

Additionally, our adaptability during challenging times, like pivoting swiftly during the pandemic, has showcased our ability to respond to evolving circumstances without compromising the quality of our services. This adaptability has further solidified our reputation as an organization that truly cares about the community’s well-being.

Ultimately, it’s been this combination of high-quality service, relatability, and adaptability that has contributed significantly to our success and helped us carve out a respected position within our market in a relatively short span of time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bridgeagencyinc.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeagencyinc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBRidgeAgencyINC/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bridge-agency-inc/?viewAsMember=true
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BRidgeAINC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo0PiQTHL3ohHvtduRfeHgA