AT3 Bio: Innovation and Comm Development

Drawing on his foundation in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University, Arthur
W. Thomas III embarked on a journey that led him from finance to spearheading impactful
community development initiatives. His story offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to
align their skills with purpose-driven organizations, highlighting the power of identifying
your passions and leveraging your education to create positive change. This diverse
background, coupled with his deep-rooted commitment to service, informs his approach to
building sustainable and equitable solutions.
A co-founder and active board member of the Divine Grace Foundation, Mr. Thomas shares
this vital work with his wife, Dr. Jennifer Pierre Thomas, who is equally integral to the
foundation's mission. Together, they demonstrate a powerful commitment to social
entrepreneurship, empowering marginalized communities through education, economic
development, and essential support services both domestically and significantly through
their impactful initiatives in Haiti and Nairobi. This work is deeply intertwined with their
shared personal values and Arthur's active role as an Associate Minister at Christian
Tabernacle Baptist Church. His faith provides a constant compass, guiding their collective
efforts to uplift and empower underserved populations globally.
Grounded in an ethical framework further developed through his Master's degree from
Yale Divinity School, Mr. Thomas has a proven track record of building strategic
partnerships for community empowerment. His involvement on the boards of
organizations like ClimateHaven, Glendower Group CDC, Inextricably Bound CDC, and
University of Bridgeport’s Innovation Advisory Board underscores his dedication to
fostering innovation and growth within the broader ecosystem. He is an Associate
Minister at Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church and is in the ordination process with
the American Baptist Convention. Mr. Thomas is a healer at heart, and passionate
about combining faith-based principles and initiatives with impact investing strategies
as a treatment for combating racism and all forms of human devaluation, generating
individual and community wealth, and maximizing collective impact.
At The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Mr. Thomas spearheaded the
creation of NHE3, an innovative public-private partnership designed to cultivate a thriving
entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region. Currently a full-time entrepreneur, he applies his
extensive network and expertise to support emerging ventures and drive impactful
solutions while staying true to his core mission of social responsibility, a mission deeply
informed by his faith, his partnership with Jennifer, and their shared experiences in
fostering development. Their journey exemplifies how diverse skills, built upon a strong
educational foundation and fueled by personal and collaborative commitment, can
converge to create meaningful and sustainable change in the world.