Angelique Sharpe, MS
Program Manager
Angelique is a passionate leader and a true pillar of her community, bringing two decades of dedicated service in community and economic development. Her commitment to equity and human rights drives her mission to break the chains of poverty and create lasting prosperity for marginalized communities. Angelique’s approach is rooted in championing community values and visions, resulting in transformative outcomes. With over 10 years of entrepreneurial and small business consulting experience, she has a proven track record in driving business growth, forging powerful strategic alliances, and advocating fervently for equitable economic progress.
In her previous roles as a Business Improvement District Director for the City of Milwaukee and Administrator of a countywide entrepreneurship program at the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, Angelique led impactful outreach initiatives that connected with both emerging and established businesses. She conducted in-depth assessments to uncover their specific needs and provided tailored support, including the creation of actionable business plans. Through targeted engagement strategies like commercial business charrettes, community presentations, one-on-one consultations, and special events, Angelique played a key role in revitalizing commercial corridors, improving access to capital, and creating valuable networking opportunities for small businesses.
Empowered with a master’s degree in Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement and Education, Angelique possesses specialized expertise in working with minority and marginalized communities. As a nationally Certified Financial Health Counselor (CFHC), and a nationally Certified Small Business Coach, she is particularly skilled at supporting socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, seamlessly aligning with the MBDA’s mission. Her personal experience as an entrepreneur, combined with her deep passion for ensuring that minority businesses have equal opportunities to thrive alongside their affluent counterparts, makes her exceptionally well-suited for her role as Program Manager at the WI MBDA.
Angelique’s work has been recognized with notable achievements, including helping the City of Milwaukee secure a $14.3 million federal RAISE grant in June 2023, winning the City of Milwaukee Mayor’s 2022 Design Award for her public art initiative “Visual Vibes on Villard,” and receiving the 2020 Brew City Match Building Owner Track Award.