Creativity Meets Business: How Artists for Humanity Shapes the IC100 Awards

By ICIC | January 29, 2025

ICIC has long recognized the importance of supporting local small businesses and nonprofits to foster economic and social development. Our enduring partnership with Artists for Humanity (AFH), a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through paid art apprenticeships, exemplifies this belief. For nearly a decade, AFH has been the creative force behind the physical awards for the prestigious Inner City 100 (IC100) Awards, which annually honor the 100 fastest-growing businesses in under-resourced communities nationwide.

Artists For Humanity: Empowering Youth Through Art

AFH was founded to address the lack of arts and entrepreneurial experiences for Boston teens, operating on the innovative idea that young people can provide contemporary creative services to the business community through their innate talent and vision. AFH offers a solution to economic disenfranchisement by training and employing teens, significantly impacting their lives, families, and communities. Annually, AFH employs more than 325 Boston teens in paid apprenticeships across various visual arts and creative industries.

A Unique Collaboration with Lasting Impact

The collaboration between ICIC and AFH is a testament to our shared commitment to community empowerment and economic revitalization. Each year, AFH’s talented young artists create the unique awards presented to IC100 honorees. This partnership not only provides AFH apprentices with real-world experience in art and design but also instills a sense of pride and accomplishment as their creations are showcased and celebrated.

“The IC100 Awards are about recognizing the power of entrepreneurship to transform communities, and there is no better partner than Artists for Humanity to bring this vision to life,” said Marynee Pontes, Director of Alumni Affairs and IC100 Awards Manager. “Their young artists exemplify the same resilience, creativity, and innovation that our honorees demonstrate in their businesses. The awards they create are not just trophies—they are symbols of achievement, growth, and community impact.”

Celebrating Excellence in Under-Resourced Communities

The IC100 Awards celebrate businesses that drive economic revitalization, create jobs, and inspire innovation in their communities. The 2024 IC100 winners, evaluated and ranked based on revenue growth from 2019 to 2023, were unveiled at ICIC’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. These businesses collectively reflect resilience and ingenuity, with an average revenue growth of 347% during the review period.

A Commitment to the Future

Our partnership with AFH enhances the significance of the IC100 Awards, symbolizing the intersection of creativity, mentorship, and economic development. By involving AFH’s young artists in the creation of the awards, we highlight the importance of investing in youth and the arts as vital components of community growth and prosperity.

As we continue to honor businesses that contribute to the vitality of under-resourced communities, our collaboration with AFH serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that creative expression and mentorship can have in transforming lives and fostering economic development. Together, ICIC and AFH exemplify the profound change that can occur when organizations unite with a shared vision of empowerment and opportunity.

About the IC100 Awards

Since 1999, ICIC has identified and honored the 100 fastest-growing businesses located in under-resourced communities through the prestigious Inner City 100 (IC100) awards. Throughout this period, ICIC has had the privilege of learning about and highlighting more than 1,000 remarkable business leaders and companies from across the United States. These firms have proven to be catalysts for job growth and promoters of a thriving, inclusive economy, even amidst challenging circumstances. Furthermore, they have actively contributed to the enhancement of their communities by generously donating their time and resources to local organizations and charitable causes.

Learn more about the IC100 Awards and eligibility criteria for this year’s list at icic.org/ic100.