Franchesca Thompson

Franchesca Thompson is Founder, Chairman and CEO of Thrive 12, an educational resource company providing tools, books, and classroom materials to help educators support marginalized students. Its mission is to foster innovation in diverse learning environments while building a community where teachers feel supported.

Before founding Thrive 12, Thompson taught in Gwinnett County Public Schools, where she developed a STEM program across three Georgia counties and built partnerships with businesses and educational associations. She earned her M.A.T. in Business Education from the University of Georgia and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Workforce Education, with research focused on teacher well-being and the emotional labor educators carry.

Thompson started Thrive 12 in January 2020 after a 2019 shopping trip left her with an empty cart - she could not find books or curriculum that showed her Black students positively. She resolved to build those resources herself. Her first program, the Inventors Club, earned a $10,000 Staples grant and was recognized by CBS News and the Maker-space Community as a leading STEM program in Georgia.

Thrive 12 now offers 100+ educational products. Her podcast, Everything But The Lesson Plan, has become a go-to resource for teachers navigating diversity and inclusion, classroom management, and self-care. She also wrote Created to Thrive, a step-by-step guide to building student organizations and school clubs. Thompson lives in Snellville, Georgia.