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Founder of The Kuumba House • Seasoned Creative Consultant • Community Development Leader
15+ Years of Experience
Philip McCandies is a seasoned Creative Consultant, Strategic Advisor, and Community Development Leader who has dedicated over 15 years to driving transformative social and economic change.
His professional journey spans leadership roles in SaaS implementation, customer success, and financial services. As Chief Innovation Officer, he spearheaded digital transformation strategies that increased revenue and improved operational efficiency.
Driving Innovation & Community Development
Committed to creating sustainable business solutions that align profitability with social responsibility, fostering economic growth in underserved communities through strategic partnerships and innovative funding approaches
Connect with me on LinkedInGuiding startups, small businesses, and community initiatives with strategic planning and development expertise
Driving process improvement and cross-functional team coordination to maximize organizational effectiveness
Advocating for equitable economic development through innovative funding strategies and community partnerships
"My leadership at The Kuumba House is rooted in the Kwanzaa principle of Kuumba—creativity—and focuses on aligning profitability with community upliftment."
Philip McCandies
Founder, The Kuumba House
Co-Founder of The Kuumba House • Community Engagement Specialist • Program Developer & Business Advisor
10+ Years of Experience
Tasha Bell is an accomplished Community Engagement Specialist, Program Developer, and Business Advisor with over a decade of experience empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth in underserved communities.
Her professional background includes leadership roles such as Business Instructor at Uptima Entrepreneurial Cooperative, where she guided entrepreneurs through business plan development, financial forecasting, and funding pitch preparation.
Empowering Entrepreneurs & Building Communities
Dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where artists, performers, and small businesses can thrive both creatively and professionally while addressing systemic barriers to success
Connect with me on LinkedInDesigning culturally relevant programs that address systemic barriers to success and promote equitable opportunities
Securing grants and sponsorships to fund community-driven initiatives and sustainable business development
Leading workshops on branding, marketing strategies, and scaling operations to help entrepreneurs achieve sustainability
Tasha's leadership emphasizes cultural relevance and equity-driven programming, ensuring that all initiatives celebrate creativity as a tool for empowerment while addressing the unique needs of underrepresented communities.
Her work at The Kuumba House reflects her passion for fostering growth among underrepresented groups while maintaining operational excellence and achieving measurable community impact.
"My work at The Kuumba House reflects my passion for fostering growth among underrepresented groups while celebrating creativity as a tool for empowerment."
Tasha Bell
Co-Founder, The Kuumba House
Philip and Tasha bring together strategic vision and operational excellence, creating a powerful synergy that drives The Kuumba House's success
Business Development & Innovation
Community Engagement & Program Development
Together, they embody the Kwanzaa principle of Kuumba—creativity—by blending innovative consulting strategies with culturally relevant programming
Fostering opportunities that address systemic barriers
Uplifting communities of color through creativity
Aligning profitability with social responsibility
Philip's strategic vision in business development aligns seamlessly with Tasha's operational leadership and community engagement focus. This complementary expertise ensures that The Kuumba House remains a beacon for collaboration, creativity, and sustainable development.
Combined expertise driving success
Blending business acumen with cultural relevance
Turning dreams into measurable impact
Join Philip and Tasha in their mission to empower communities through creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship