Dr. Kimberly McGlonn is a visionary leader, professor, and social entrepreneur who has spent over 20 years advocating for sustainable design and social justice.

As the founder and CEO of NOOR by Grant Blvd, an award-winning sustainable luxury brand, Kimberly has transformed her passion for equity into action, creating opportunities for marginalized communities while challenging industry norms. With a PhD in Design and a deep commitment to supporting daring leaders & organizations in creating impact, her work has produced transformative results.

Dr. McGlonn is now channeling her wealth of lived and professional experiences into a new mission: to inspire others to design lives and businesses anchored in greater intentionality, strategy, and fulfillment. Through her keynote speaking, online courses and book, she offers provocative insights that help individuals and organizations rethink their approaches to leadership and growth, driving lasting change in the process.

Kimberly McGlonn, PhD

  • Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

    Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, Department of Educational Policy, Practice, & Theory December 2007

    Major Advisor: Dr. Rita Culross

    Dissertation: “Experiences & Expectations of Beginning Teachers of the Gifted”

    Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

    Ed.Specialist in Curriculum Theory, August 2003

    Major Advisor: Dr. William Pinar

    Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

    M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction- Secondary English Education, August 2002

    Thesis: “The Weight of Race”: An Exploration into Black Male Student Perspective on Minority Teacher Shortage

    Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

    B.A in English-Literature, August 2001

    Minors: Sociology and African & African-American Studies

  • Founder & CEO, Blk Ivy Thrift

    February 2023-Present

    Serves as CEO & Director of Retail Operations for Blk IVy Thrift, a one of a kind thrift/vintage concept shop from Kimberly McGlonn, founder of Grant Blvd is dedicated to the fashion of the Civil Rights Movement. Spanning the tumultuous moment between 1954 (Brown v. Board of Education) and 1972 (the presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm), Blk Ivy aspires to pay homage to the style of the revolutionary figures of the era such as James Baldwin, Dr. King and Angela Davis. By showcasing curated artifacts from the era like rare vintage vinyl and first edition books, it hopes to inspire a revival of the spirit of their resistance centered in a revival of their fashion aesthetic. It is a call to action for the protection of our human rights & our civil rights, thoughtfully curated with our closets & homes in mind. 


    Founder & CEO, Grant Blvd

    October 2017- Present

    Serves as CEO, Creative Director & Director of Sustainability for Grant Blvd, a sustainable women’s apparel brand dedicated to supporting incarcerated & returning citizens. This brand aims to bring to market womenswear that has been sourced with a mindfulness of environmental impact. All seven of Grant Blvd’s design collections adhere to the highest level of sustainability- no new fabric, which means no new chemicals and no new waste. Additionally, by partnering with Philadelphia based non-profits, it aims to train returning citizens (primarily women) in industrial sewing, and then to manufacture garments exclusively in Philadelphia. Responsible for overseeing a creative team of 14.


    Faculty, Westphal College of Design

    Drexel University

    September 2022-Present

    Instructor of design & merchandising courses for undergraduate students. Course focus includes retail operations, digital commerce, and product design. Dedicated to fostering a classroom culture of care and courageous conversations about the intersection of business and ethics.



    English Department Chair

    August 2005- February 2018

    Lower Moreland Township High School, Huntingdon Valley, PA

    Provided leadership in the development and articulation of subject area and district level goals for this award winning district. Responsible for designing department teaching schedules, conducting department meetings, developing annual department budget, and acting as an instructional resource for English teachers. Responsible for curriculum development and strategic planning.  Also prepared  objectives and lesson plans for 9th grade World Literature and 11th grade English course.  The World Literature course curriculum focused on colonialism. The 11th grade course centered on the experiences of marginalized groups/voices within the American story with a focus on social justice and digital storytelling. 


  • Article in Refereed Journal

    McGlonn-Nelson, K. (2006) "Looking Outward": An Exploration into the Intersections of 

    Sociocultural  Theory and Gifted Education. Journal for Secondary Gifted Education, Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development, Athens, GA. 



    BOOK REVIEW

    Piirto, J. (2004). Understanding Creativity. Scottsdale, AZ: Great Potentional Press. In 

    Roeper Review, 27(2), 123.

  • November 2004- 2008

    “Experiences & Expectations of Beginning Teachers of the Gifted”

    Doctoral Dissertation 

    Directed by Dr. Rita Culross


    August 2001- August 2002

    “The Weight of Race: An Exploration into Black Male Student Perspective on the Minority Teacher Shortage”

    Master’s Thesis

    Directed by Dr. Matthew K. McCurrie


    May- August, 2000

    “America’s Forgotten Garden: An Examination of the Formation and Perpetuation of Midwestern Urban Ghettos “

    Directed by: Dr. Thomas Durant (LSU- Dept. of Sociology)ion

    • Vice President of Social Impact, Fitler Club

    • Executive Director, Fitler Foundation

    • Podcast co-host, “The School for Disrupters“

    • Podcast host, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, “Educator’s Playbook”

    • Volunteer, Books Through Bars: non-profit which provides free access to books to those who are incarcerated

    • Board of Directors, Philadelphia Mural Arts