Community Roots, Resilient Shoots: Kha’s Spark Nurtures Entrepreneurial Fruits"
- deshaywilliams3
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Tuesday, June 3
7:00 a.m.
Spark Thomasville Executive Director
A Heart for Hidden Potential
Kha McDonald’s eyes sparkle when she talks about Thomasville’s entrepreneurs.
“I have a heart for the entrepreneur—the dreamers who see possibilities where others see problems,” says the retired City of Thomasville Human Resources leader and Spark Thomasville Board member.
Her journey with Spark began not with a grand plan, but with a coworker’s secret baking hustle and a family legacy of breaking barriers.
From Office Surprises to Community Genius
Kha first witnessed Spark’s power through a colleague who baked cakes “undercover” while working full-time before starting law school. “She’d whip up cupcakes on weekends, then won a Spark competition,” Kha recalls. “We were stunned—this was her side gig?!”
That revelation, paired with conversations with Spark mentors André Marria and Nathaniel Abrams, ignited her passion for Spark’s mission: empowering underestimated entrepreneurs to turn side hustles into Thomasville legacy businesses.
“Spark doesn’t just fund ideas—it uncovers community genius,” Kha explains. “Many entrepreneurs here have the drive but lack connections or coaching. Spark bridges that gap.”
A Family Legacy of Grit and Grace
Kha’s advocacy stems from the influence of generations of resilient entrepreneurs who built prosperity against systemic odds:
Her grandfather, a tailor in the segregation era, crafted custom suits for Black and White clients—a radical act of economic courage.
Family friend, Dr. J.H. Griffin, founder of Griffin Memorial Hospital and Clinic in Bainbridge, Georgia (where Kha was born), created jobs and healthcare access in Bainbridge, Georgia, proving legacy businesses can uplift entire communities.
“These weren’t ‘side hustles’—they were acts of entrepreneurial leadership,” Kha says. “Spark continues that work by helping today’s entrepreneurs build neighborhoods rich in culture.”
Why Spark? Coaching, Capital, and Collective Strength
For Kha, Spark Thomasville's magic lies in its asset-based approach:
Coaching: “Trusted mentors like André don’t just teach business plans—they affirm you’re capable.”
Capital: The Community Development Loan Fund provides affordable funding.
Connections: Entrepreneurs join a network where “families striving for economic stability” become collaborators, not competitors.
“I’ve seen weekend barbeque operations become thriving businesses and an idea for a mobile lounge become a much appreciated entertainment venue,” Kha shares.
“When we invest in dreamers who see their vision even when others don’t quite get it, we provide opportunities that inspire more creators to be visionary thinkers.
Thomasville has a long history of being an incubator for people with new ideas that create opportunities. This is what makes Thomasville “home.”
Join the Movement
Kha’s call to action? “Come see Spark’s hard working entrepreneurs in action. Their ideas—from tech startups to artisan bakeries—are creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and proving that generational wealth starts with a community saying, ‘We believe in you.’”
Spark Thomasville: Where coaching, capital, and collaboration turn “What if?” into “What’s next?”
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