ICIC
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ICIC’s mission is to drive economic prosperity in America’s inner cities through private sector investment to create jobs, income and wealth for local residents.
ICIC
1w ago
By ICIC | March 20, 2024
Feeling isolated is a sentiment shared by many small business owners because they experience challenges and triumphs that are unique to this role. Tique Chandler, an Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) alumna from Toronto and the CEO of Chandler Honey, expressed, “Being an entrepreneur is very lonely sometimes, especially in my group of friends because I’m the only small business owner. To hear that people are having very similar problems to me is helpful for us from a brainstorming perspective to help us solve each other’s problems, but also just feeling less alone ..read more
ICIC
1w ago
IC100 Award-Winning Construction Company Empowers Tradespeople without College Degrees
By ICIC | March 20, 2024
Women’s History Month (WHM) is a time dedicated to celebrating the contributions that women have made throughout the history of the United States. Women have influenced and advanced every field, oftentimes being required to earn their roles in workplaces dominated by men. The women who broke gender barriers and laid the path toward diverse and equitable hiring practices are among those honored during WHM. The past winners of the Inner City 100 award include several women who have bro ..read more
ICIC
3w ago
By ICIC | March 6, 2024
It’s awards season, a time when perseverance, diligence, and hard work collide to create the memorable experience of being recognized as an example of excellence within one’s field. While the entertainment world eagerly awaits the final award ceremonies of its season, including the Academy Awards and the NAACP Image Awards, a multitude of organizations, societies, and government agencies are preparing to honor the achievements of small business owners. These include local government offices, national agencies like the Small Business Administration, which presents the Na ..read more
ICIC
1M ago
February 16, 2024 | By ICIC
Chef Saidah Farrell enjoying a cup of her house-made gourmet hot chocolate, Joy Craft Cocoa.
It’s a chilly morning in Cleveland, but the cold does not hinder Chef Saidah Farrell. After checking off a list of business meetings and press engagements, it’s time to get to work on what she’s been looking forward to all day: creating delicious treats for her business, Olivia Rose Confections, most widely known for their Marshmallow of the Month Club. In the kitchen, Chef Farrell explores new ideas for her custom s’more survival kits that are shipped out monthly to custome ..read more
ICIC
2M ago
January 18, 2024 | By ICIC
Led by visionary CEO and Founder, Susana Robledo, Cube Care is not just a healthcare interior solutions provider; it’s a testament to the power of global entrepreneurship, diversity, and community empowerment. The FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award was recently awarded to Cube Care, reflecting the company’s dedication to empowering diverse entrepreneurs and creating employment opportunities, aligning with the FedEx mission to help support small businesses globally.
Steve Grossman, CEO of ICIC, commended Cube Care’s remarkable journey, stating, “Cube Car ..read more
ICIC
2M ago
By ICIC | January 18, 2023
Omoné O. Livingston wanted to become an engineer since she was 11 years old. She followed her passion for building and making a difference in the community. This drive has helped her focus on building sustainable infrastructure that can be used by communities and the world to bring clean water to those who don’t have it, among other things. Omoné’s “Why” is making an impact through not only what she does, but how she does it and that drives her in business.
O2EPCM, Inc. dba O2 Engineering, Projects, & Construction Management, is the recipient of the 2023 Inner C ..read more
ICIC
2M ago
By ICIC | January 18, 2024
Amy Voloshin, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Printfresh
Amy Voloshin, the daughter of industrial designers, always knew she would pursue a career in the creative field. After earning a degree in Textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design, she went on to work behind the scenes in the fashion industry for more than 10 years before bringing her love of patterns and joyful prints to the world of sleepwear. In 2016, Amy and her husband, Leo Voloshin, co-founded Printfresh, where she creates pajamas using interesting and eye-catching designs inspired by nat ..read more
ICIC
2M ago
January 18, 2024 | By ICIC
Diana Villagas, Director of Nova Driving School
Diana Villagas’s journey as an entrepreneur is inspiring, marked by perseverance, innovation, and a strong commitment to giving back. As an owner and partner in five businesses, Diana’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her various ventures, ranging from a limousine company and restaurant business to e-commerce and professional services outsourcing.
Her primary focus is on Nova Driving School, a family business offering driving education that was founded by her parents in 2003. What began with a single vehicle has no ..read more
ICIC
3M ago
By ICIC | December 21, 2023
Josue Velney, founder and CEO, Velney Development, LLC
Josue Velney, the founder and CEO of Velney Development, LLC, stands as an example of the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience that defines ICIC’s work. In a year where ICIC has trained nearly 3,000 small business owners, Josue’s story embodies the heart and soul of what ICIC strives to achieve—driving inclusive economic prosperity, creating jobs, and building generational wealth in under-resourced communities. Steve Grossman, CEO of ICIC, shared Josue’s inspirational story during the kickoff of ICIC’s Annual C ..read more
ICIC
4M ago
By ICIC | November 17, 2023
Elin Barton, CEO & Founder, Riveo Creative (formerly White Knight Productions)
In 2015, Elin Barton faced the challenge of transitioning her business, White Knight Productions, from serving local businesses to expanding nationally. As a video production company, this shift had some significant complexity, including how to provide videography services through a remote model. A friend recommended the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, which Elin applied to and attended in person in Philadelphia, despite the program being three hours away from her home ..read more