What does it look like when a civil engineer turns a company into a platform for community change? For Selena Rodgers Dickerson, president of SARCOR LLC, the Amazon Accelerate and Empower Program (Amazon A&E) arrived as she prepared to scale. Delivered through ICIC’s Connections initiative with Amazon, Arctaris Impact Investors, and Regions Bank, Amazon A&E helped Selena step back from daily tasks and into her role as CEO.  Through executive education, cohort learning, and a capstone pitch event at Miles College, she refined her growth strategy, engaged her leadership team, and clarified how her ventures focus on building people, places, and possibilities.  In this story, Selena shares how an eleven year old on stage, a legacy of entrepreneurial parents, and two ICIC programs, ICCC and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, are shaping her next chapter. Read More

ICAN, a testament to the success of supporting businesses in underserved communities, exemplifies the transformative impact of ICIC. Quentella Enty and T.J. Douglas, alumni of various ICIC programs, now serve as ICAN steering committee members - expert advisors, mentors, and collaborators for businesses needing additional support to thrive in today's dynamic economic landscape. Enty, Vice President of KFA Inc. and member of ICAN’s Chicago Steering Committee, emphasizes the importance of scaling businesses that are the backbone of the American economy, creating jobs, and advocating for communities. Douglas, founder of The Urban Grape and member of the Boston ICAN Steering Committee, shares his journey of building a successful retail and e-commerce enterprise, leveraging ICIC programs like Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC). Both Enty and Douglas actively contribute to ICAN, fostering a network of empowered business leaders facing similar challenges and promoting inclusive economic growth and community empowerment. Read More

Tique Chandler's story is a remarkable example of how tradition, innovation, and resilience can come together. She grew up on her family's beekeeping farm in Scandia, Alberta, and has now become the founder and CEO of Chandler Honey. Tique was recently awarded the 2022 ICCC-Pizza Hut Equal Slice grant, which she is using to improve production processes and expand sales. Read More

Tianna McFarlane, founder of Heal in Colour, is a 2022 ICCC-KFC Recipe for Success Mini-MBA grant winner. She used the funds to help advance her mission of bringing adhesive bandages for people with black and brown skin to the Canadian market and beyond. Read More

Bizzybody Enterprises is a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs, innovators, leaders, and reinventors from Northern, Indigenous, and New Canadian communities. Its founder, Jocelyn Eisert, shares the story behind the birth of her business and how it transformed into a significant cornerstone of the community. In 2022, Jocelyn was awarded a $30,000 CAD grant from the ICCC-KFC Recipe for Success Mini-MBA Program in recognition of her exceptional contributions. This grant solidifies Bizzybody's steadfast dedication to uplifting the community. Read More