Creativity with a Cause.
Our work bridges the gap between education and economic empowerment to help organizations and communities thrive.
At Empathy’s Edge, we believe that storytelling, design, and communications strategy are powerful instruments of systems-level change, translating vision into understanding and understanding into action.
Values-Driven Work
Values-driven work intentionally applied to clarify complex information, elevate unheard voices, and direct people to actionable, equitable pathways and information.
Top Five Values
One: Empathy-Driven Innovation. We prioritize human-centered design and storytelling to create solutions that truly resonate.
Two: Strategic Impact. We combine data-driven insights with creative problem-solving to drive meaningful, measurable change.
Three: Collaboration & Community. Strong partnerships and collective action are at the heart of how we engage and create sustainable solutions.
Four: Empowerment & Growth. Whether through capacity-building, coaching, or advocacy, we help individuals and organizations maximize their potential.
Five: Creative Courage. We embrace bold ideas, innovative storytelling, and design thinking to challenge the status quo and inspire transformative change.
…Mission…
We are leveraging the power of visual storytelling, design thinking, and strategic collaboration to transform education and workforce development. By fostering inclusive ecosystems, we help businesses, education, and nonprofits amplify underrepresented voices, enhance impact, and unlock sustainable economic growth for all.
…Vision…
We envision a future where businesses, education, and nonprofit organizations unite to create transformative pathways for students, equipping them to thrive in their zones of genius and succeed in a dynamic workforce. By collaborating, we drive mutual growth, innovation, and lasting impact, ensuring all sectors contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive economy.
Artist. Advocate. Educator.
Meet Zakiya
(Zah-kee-yah)
Founder & Creative
Director
A visionary leader, strategist, and creative force, Zakiya Stewart (she/her) founded Empathy’s Edge to transform how organizations communicate, engage, and make an impact. With over a decade of experience in strategic marketing, education advocacy, and capacity building, she has partnered with nonprofits, businesses, and educational institutions to develop initiatives that foster inclusion, advancement, and opportunity. Zakiya’s work is driven by a deep commitment to community empowerment and storytelling.
She has led initiatives, including:
Award-winning marketing campaigns for architecture studios and social impact organizations
Strategic policy & advocacy efforts in education and transitional housing
Career and economic development programs, such as launching a career center for women in shelters
Capacity-building for educators, school leaders,
and professionals to elevate their impact
Curious about how it all began?
Meet Zakiya at 16
Check out this video and / or read Education Dreaming, the inspiring story behind our mission and vision and see why the work we do matters.
Reach out to explore how you can collaborate with Zakiya and her partners.
