Robins Entrepreneur Series

The Discussion. This series of hybrid events is perfect for budding entrepreneurs, experienced executive-mentors cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, early stage investors, and students exploring innovative product design.

At each session, business founders serve as guest speakers sharing about their career, their firm's business model, as well as the successes and challenges in the product development process. Participants learn from the speakers’ experiences, discuss valuable insights, and connect with other entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and investors.

Meet Elsie Harper-Anderson and James Lambert of VCU

Research on Barriers to Entrepreneurship in Richmond, Virginia

Dr. Elsie Harper-Anderson is an Associate Professor and Director of the PhD Program at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Public Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Harper-Anderson’s research examines the impact of macroeconomic transformation on regional economies and urban labor markets with a focus on social equity and sustainability concerns. Her recent work focuses on understanding entrepreneurial ecosystems and their impact on building inclusive economies. Her other scholarship has focused on understanding and enhancing the connection between workforce development and economic development. She serves on the advisory board for the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building. Prior to academia, her work included significant experience evaluating economic development, workforce development and housing programs for local, state and federal agencies such as DOL,  EDA and HUD.  Dr. Harper-Anderson has also worked as a practitioner administering federal housing and economic development programs at the local level. She teaches courses related to economic development, labor markets and urban development policy.  Harper-Anderson is the recipient of the 2016 Wilder School Excellence in Teaching Award; and holds both an M.S., Public Management and Policy from the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University, as well as a Ph.D., City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley.

James Lambert is a Doctoral Student at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a native of Richmond who can trace his family tree five generations to the Central Virginia area. James is a former Sergeant in the U.S. Army and has a passion for uplifting his community economically. He is also serial entrepreneur who loves both for learning and teaching about entrepreneurship and economics. He has earned a Bachelors in Economics from Old Dominion University, as well as a Masters Degree in Real Estate and a Masters Degree in Finance from Virginia Commonwealth University. One of James’ organizations, Felons First Housing, is dedicated to assisting returned citizens attain more economic mobility. Another organization, Dollars N Sense, is dedicated to teaching financial literacy to underprivileged and underrepresented youth in the Central Virginia, and has now had over 1,000 students. His research interests include reentry and rehabilitation programming, recidivism, affordable housing and economic development. James recently presented this research at the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, entitled “The Impact of Mental Health and Wellbeing Barriers on Entrepreneurial Goal Attainment.”

Dr. Elsie Harper-Anderson and James Lambert will review their recent research with Dale Fickett, covering barriers to entrepreneurship in Richmond, Virginia. This work covers the role of race, gender, mental health and well-being, and effects on meeting one’s entrepreneurial goals. 

Logistics. A light lunch is served, as entrepreneurs connect with one another, learn from peers, and contribute to the conversation:

• Friday, October 17th
• 11:30am EST - Coffee & Connection
• 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST - Presentation & Discussion

No pre-registration is required. Join us:

Robins School of Business
102 UR Drive, iLab Room 123
University of Richmond, VA 23173

Parking. Free parking is available in the U5 and U6 lots immediately adjacent to the Robins School. Please enter the main foyer, turn to the left and proceed to room 123 (EY Innovation Lab) on the ground floor.

Please note that visitors have a two hour parking window.

Please sign in when you enter the room, providing your license plate number.

On Zoom Webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83836020707