Jackie Bebenroth, CEO of Muse, is redefining branding through innovation and strategic leadership. Under her guidance, Muse earned the prestigious IC 100 Award in 2024, a testament to its forward-thinking approach. Jackie’s commitment to embracing new technologies, from AI integration to user-friendly design platforms, has empowered brands to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. Beyond business success, she champions social responsibility, offering pro bono branding services to underserved communities. Her journey, shaped by programs like Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses, highlights the transformative power of education and strategic growth. Read More

Regional economic connectivity is an economic, workforce, and community development strategy that focuses on industry clusters that are thriving in the broader region and establishing them within under-resourced communities (URCs). To better understand how well and under which circumstances distressed communities benefit from regional economic connectivity, ICIC and SRI examined geographic patterns of industry cluster employment in 181 metropolitan areas using a combination of data analysis and case study evidence. The result of this study is the new report Regional Economic Connectivity: A Strategy to Build Opportunity in Distressed Communities. Findings in the report indicate that URC economic connectivity is more prevalent in small and medium-sized metropolitan areas, suburban URCs, clusters that are highly specialized regionally, manufacturing-based clusters, clusters with low educational requirements for entry-level workers, and lower-wage clusters. The report also indicates a significant opportunity for economic developers and their partners to target asset development and other strategic investments to grow regionally strong clusters in URCs. Read More

Chef Saidah Farrell is the founder, CEO, and owner of Olivia Rose Confections, best known for their Marshmallow of the Month Club subscription box. The box is described as a s’more survival kit and includes chocolate bars, a house-made gourmet hot chocolate mix, freshly baked graham crackers, and the marshmallow of the month. Made from the freshest ingredients, Farrell has crafted 50 different flavors of these artisan marshmallows, spanning from traditional favorites like lemon, chocolate, and strawberry to decadent combinations like butter brandy, ginger cinnamon peach, and raspberry lime prosecco. Motivated by a desire to maintain creative freedom, the success that Chef Farrell has experienced over the last decade is the result of an unrelenting positive attitude and a willingness to learn, pivot, and adapt. A graduate of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programs, Farrell’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and a supportive community. Read More

Cleveland’s HealthLine is one of only five bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in the nation, and a remarkable example of how investment in BRT systems can be leveraged to revitalize surrounding areas. Read More

Pop-up retail is not a new phenomenon. The temporary boutiques and vendors that set up in malls and storefronts during the holidays are an obvious example. Read More