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What's New at ICIC

What's Your Why?

To commemorate ICIC’s three decades of fostering economic growth and opportunity in underserved communities through groundbreaking research and programs, we are asking program participants, funders, nominators, and staff, “What’s Your Why?” Members of our ecosystem are responding by sharing what motivates them and how their “why” connects them to ICIC. These varied and impactful stories help us to reflect on our journey, fuel our mission, and shape our future.

view stories share your why

ICAN Inspire: Breaking Barriers in Tech

Join ICIC’s Alumni Network as we launch the 2024 ICAN Inspire webinar series with “Breaking Barriers in Tech”. This virtual event is being held in honor of Women’s History Month, celebrating the remarkable achievements of women entrepreneurs in the technology industry. Come to learn from three dynamic TED-style Talks delivered by accomplished women in tech. As a small business owner, this is an opportunity to connect with industry leaders and gain actionable insights and strategies to excel in your entrepreneurial journey.

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Supporting Small Business Growth

ICIC offers seven tuition-free development programs that serve small businesses throughout their lifecycle—from startup to succession. Learn more about how our programs can help your small business grow.

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Our 2023 Impact Report is Here!

We are delighted to present ICIC’s Annual Impact Report – which showcases transformational journeys and the grit and determination of small business owners. The work of ICIC is more than just a commitment; it is a dedication to creating jobs, income, and wealth for local residents in underserved communities throughout North America. Through this report, we reunite with entrepreneurs who are the heart of the small business community and reflect on their inspirational stories, which give us a renewed energy to execute our charge. As we unveil our yearly Impact Report, it is a moment to celebrate small businesses, often the unsung heroes of our economy.

Impact Report

Breaking the Glass Bottleneck

Grove Impact and ICIC released a first-of-its-kind report that documents the many constraints Black and Hispanic real estate developers face and demonstrates the enormous economic potential in removing these barriers. "Breaking the Glass Bottleneck: The Economic Potential of Black and Hispanic Real Estate Developers and the Constraints They Face" explores how catalyzing greater diversity in the real estate industry could address long standing inequities.

Read the Report New York Times Article Webinar Replay

The Economics of Land Usage in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Since 2022, ICIC has conducted research sponsored by the Saint Paul Port Authority to demonstrate the ongoing importance of light industrial uses to the city’s economy.

View Findings

The Authority on Inclusive Economic Prosperity

Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) drives inclusive economic prosperity in under-resourced communities through innovative research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.

Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City is a national nonprofit research and advisory organization and the leading authority on U.S. under-resourced economies and the businesses that thrive there.

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Learn More About ICIC

Work with ICIC

Underserved communities are rich with opportunity. We help business, government and philanthropic leaders leverage local assets to transform communities. Our research team has helped to shape economic development strategies in more than twenty inner cities.

ICIC delivers the knowledge and the know-how to achieve sustainable economic and job growth.

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Support ICIC

Whether supporting one of our high-impact urban business programs or the entire organization, our partners know they are choosing to support an organization dedicated to transforming inner cities across the country. Our partners include Bank of America, Chevron, Kaiser Permanente, various foundations and individual donors.

Learn how you can support ICIC’s work

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What is an Inner City?

Inner cities are distressed urban and suburban areas of concentrated poverty and low income. Inner city residents represent 14% of the population—that’s 45 million people. Of U.S. residents living in poverty, 31 percent live in inner cities.

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Events

03-06-24

ICAN Inspire: Breaking Barriers in Tech

Join ICIC’s Alumni Network for this virtual event is being held in honor of Women’s History Month, celebrating the remarkable achievements of women entrepreneurs in the technology industry. Come to learn from three dynamic TED-style Talks delivered by accomplished women in tech.

View More


Blog

03-06-24

A Year of Recognition: Members of ICIC’s Alumni Network Receive Local and National Awards

ICIC

The small business awards season is a time for entrepreneurs to be honored by various organizations, societies, and government agencies. ICIC’s Inner City Alumni Network (ICAN) members excelled during the 2023 awards season, receiving prestigious local and national awards. Among the award winners were:

  • Kimberly Black, CEO and President, Trusted Field Services
  • Cassandria Campbell, CEO, Fresh Food Generation
  • Lawrence Charles, Founder, Charles and Company
  • David Delancy, Owner and CEO, One Day Came
  • Vicki Gray, Founder and CEO, New Chapter HI Services
  • Cuong Quy “CQ” Huynh, Co-Founder, General Manager, and Treasurer, Rende Progress Capital
  • Louise Leduc Kennedy, Founding Attorney, West Hill Technology Counsel, Inc.
  • Pamela Nelson, Founder and CEO, Bracane Company
  • Caron Ng, CEO, NU-SET Inc.
  • Liseth Velez, Founder and CEO, LJV Development
The 2024 season will begin just before May and conclude in December. However, there are a few organizations that have already announced honorees. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) revealed the 14 winners of its 2024 Star Award, three of which are ICAN members: Michele Adams, CEO and President of Levy Recognition; Louise Leduc Kennedy, Founding Attorney of West Hill Technology Counsel, Inc.; and Barb Smith, President of Journey Steel. Read More


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ICIC drives inclusive economic prosperity in under-resourced communities through innovative research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.

Contact

PO Box 191297
Roxbury MA 02119
Phone: 617-238-1740

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