In a world where technology and sustainability intersect, Electronic Responsible Recyclers (ER2) stands out as a beacon of innovation and social impact. Founded by Chris Ko, ER2 specializes in responsible IT asset management while prioritizing community service by donating recycled technology to underserved families, students, and veterans globally. The company was recently honored with the IC100 2024 FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award for exemplifying innovation, sustainability, and social impact on a global scale.  With a strong commitment to empowering others, ER2’s initiatives have made significant contributions, such as providing essential tools to African schools and supporting local programs in Nashville, where the company is headquartered. Driven by a culture of community service and collaboration, ER2 demonstrates how businesses can create meaningful change in their communities. As it continues bridging the digital divide, ER2 is a shining bridging of socially conscious entrepreneurship, proving that with a clear mission and values, positive change is within reach–one laptop, keyboard, and connection at a time.  Read More

In the past forty years, the landscape of concentrated poverty in the United States has changed. The Evolution and Landscape of Under-Resourced Communities in U.S. Metropolitan Areas, published in the journal Economic Development Quarterly, traces the evolution of under-resourced communities in U.S. metropolitan areas from 1980 to 2019. The article describes in depth the changes seen in under-resourced communities, including:

• The share of metropolitan residents who live in under-resourced communities has grown.
• Under-resourced communities have become more racially diverse, with expanding shares of white and Hispanic/Latino residents. Though the share of Black URC residents has fallen, Black residents continue to make up a substantive share of the under-resourced community population.
• Under-resourced communities have become more suburban, although most of their residents still live in central cities.

The Structural Barriers to Small Business Success interactive map tool, developed by ICIC and Small Business Majority, provides critical insights into the challenges faced by small businesses in various communities, particularly those of color. Following the dynamic webinar demonstrationing and discussing the practical applications of the tool, lead project researchers have developed case studies on two cities, Chicago and Atlanta, to highlight the uses of the tool. The case studies highlight key features of the interactive map, including understanding business success across racial and ethnic lines, determining whether businesses located in communities of color perform differently than those in majority-white neighborhoods, and exploring how wages vary by business size. Read More

Colleen Middleton’s path from the U.S. Air Force to successful business owner reflects the deep military legacy in her family and her own drive to serve. Inspired by her brothers, both Marines, Middleton enlisted in the Air Force and dedicated six years to military service. After her service, she moved into corporate accounting but, in 2020, pivoted to start her own trucking business. When health challenges and setbacks arose, her determination and a timely nomination to ICIC’s ICCC program helped her reassess her business direction. Supported by the ICCC staff and fellow entrepreneurs, Middleton has expanded Excerebus to pursue government contracts, creating job opportunities for veterans and launching the Excerebus Foundation to aid homeless veterans. “The ICCC staff are incredible—they weren’t just there to guide me through the program; they genuinely cared about my journey and my success,” Middleton shared. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and purpose veterans bring to business, a strength now reinforced by her ICCC journey and the support of partners like FedEx. Read More

Jack Smith, a former Air Force programmer turned CEO of Fortuna Business Management Consulting, is on a mission to empower veterans through meaningful careers. His journey, supported by the Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program, reflects resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to community. Fortuna was built with a clear purpose: to create quality jobs for veterans, their spouses, and reservists, while upholding the highest standards of consulting services. ICCC’s resources and the IC100 award have been instrumental in Fortuna’s growth, helping Smith scale his company rapidly and inspire future entrepreneurs. With four IC100 awards under his belt, Smith’s vision is clear—continue impacting lives, building partnerships, and proving that "good people can win." Read More