Program Update
Inner City Alumni Network
ICIC’s Inner City Alumni Network (ICAN) provides 8,000+ ICIC program alumni across the U.S. and Canada with ongoing learning and professional development opportunities, visibility and recognition, and a network through which they can explore contracting and collaboration opportunities.
Thanks to the generous support of our principal ICAN sponsor, Kaiser Permanente, ICIC more than doubled the number of local ICAN alumni chapters in 2023. In addition to existing chapters in Boston, Chicago, and Washington D.C., new chapters were launched this year in Atlanta, Baltimore, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
In addition to establishing local alumni-driven chapters, ICIC offered alumni-exclusive educational content, including:
- National Strategic Alliance Building Seminars:
Led by renowned NYU Stern strategy professor Dr. Susan Perkins, this seminar focused on how to build more meaningful business relationships and was offered on-site in five cities and virtually for a national audience. - Alumni Social Networking Events: These informal networking events were held in each ICAN chapter and provided an informal setting for alumni to connect and develop meaningful business relationships with fellow alumni and partners.
- Alumni Webinars: Throughout the year, we offered alumni capacity-building content to help uplift their businesses. These webinars kicked off in 2023 with a session titled, “Raising the Bar on your Social Media Marketing,” led by a panel of ICIC alumni.
ICAN Baltimore alumni and partners
2023 Impact Snapshot: Inner City Alumni Network
7
Local chapters launched since 2022
55
Steering committee members
11
In-person and virtual events held
328
Total number of ICIC alumni who attended events
452
Total number of individuals who attended an event
81%
Attendees who rated the quality of networking above average or excellent
6
Average number of people ICIC alumni networked with at each event
4
Average number
of new connections made by ICIC alumni at each event
$65K
Amount donated to ICIC by members
2023 ICAN Advisory Board
Terri Evans
Rylon’s Smokehouse
Chicago, IL
ICCC Chicago 2019 and 2021; 10,000 Small Businesses Chicago 2020
Sam Gude
Gude Management Group
Atlanta, GA
ICCC Atlanta 2013, ICCC Birmingham 2015, Building for Growth Advisory Board Member
Janice Jucker
Three Brothers Bakery
Houston, TX
ICCC Dallas 2015, 2016, and 2017; IC100 2015 and 2016; 10,000 Small Businesses Houston 2012, Founding ICAN Advisory Board Member
Wei Wang
UrbanTech Engineering
New York, NY
ICCC Philadelphia 2018 and 2020; IC100 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020; 10,000 Small Businesses New York City 2015
ICAN Steering Committees
ATLANTA
Anita Davis, Praxis Strategic Solutions
Sanquinetta Dover, Dover Staffing
Lawanda Hall, Intelligent Intentions LLC
Marilyn Jackson, UnderGrid Networks
Barbara Jones-Brown, Freeing Returns
Amber Lawson, Aspire Construction & Design
Jessica Lewis, Mobu Enterprises
Barry Love, Real Time Feedback & Thryve Solutions
Jada Moore-Ruffin, REAL
Wellness Enterprises LLC
Gregory Palmer, GPI Financial Services
Jeffrey Shirley, Brand Positioning Doctors
BALTIMORE
Michael Ajomale, Design Depictions Structural Engineering, PC
Christopher Barber, Cheaper Than A Geek!!!
Yeshiyah Isreal, YBI African Apparel & Fashions
Ian Marriott, IGM Innovative Solutions LLC
David McDonald, All Staffed Up
Nikki Oyefeso, Cavalla Construction
Charles Rush, RUSH IT LLC
Nikia Sweeney, Amani Nicol Wellness
BOSTON
Ayana Blue, The Urban Grape
Clarrissa Cropper, Frugal Bookstore
TJ Douglas, The Urban Grape
Clarence Little, Grove Hall Child Development Center
Liseth Velez, LJV Development
Judi Vigna, Specialized Career Guidance LLC
Marvina Wilkes, Red Dress Events LLC
Jeysi Zuniga, Synergy Contracting, Inc.
CHICAGO
Johnathon Bush, Not Just Cookies
Helen Crawley-Austin, Beyond Consulting Solutions
Quentella Enty, KFA, Inc.
Tanya Hinton, DSS Global, Inc.
Brenda Nelson, Stich Me Apparel LLC
Mary Nguyen Aregoni, Saigon Sisters
LOS ANGELES
Tyrone Auston, Trinity Contracting Concepts, Inc.
Amantha Bagdon, RxPost
Lynn Chen, EARL Security, Inc.
Nataline Lomedico, Giroux Glass
Jacqueline Penhos, Hugs & Bags, A Love Movement
Mellissa Tong, DuckPunk Productions, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
Robert Kenny Joseph, Step Ahead Solutions, Inc.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Nicole Allen, Allen-Norris Permitting and Inspections
Dr. Myrtle Alexander, Institute for Academic Management Ltd. (IAM-USA)
Brian Becker, Wellfound Foods
Trinette Chandler, The Chandler Law Group LLP
Kamau Donadelle, Foundation Entertainment
LaTrell Duncan-Fitchett, Promoting Love & Wisdon Home Childcare Center LLC
Gresham Harkless, Blue 16 Media
Gary Jamal Kelly, Dogs On The Curb
Bo Menkiti, The Menkiti Group
Dr. Darnita Payden, Dr. DClutter Life Management
Kesha Pendergrast, Pendergrast Alston Consulting Services
Kalicharan Pillai, Spectrum Technologies, Inc.
Troy Donté Prestwood, The Prestwood Group
Dina Towbin, Dina Towbin and Associates LLC
Rahama Wright, Shea Yeleen
2023 ICAN Advisory Board
“Being a part of ICIC’s alumni community has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life. It has provided me with a unique platform to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for entrepreneurship and community development. Through ICAN events and activities, I’ve been able to forge meaningful relationships and establish strategic alliances that have been instrumental in the growth of my business. The support and insights gained from fellow ICIC alumni have been invaluable to me.
ICIC and ICAN gatherings have not only been enjoyable but also highly productive. The opportunity to interact with diverse professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders has allowed me to expand my network significantly. These connections have led to collaborations and partnerships that have benefited my business and personal growth.
As a member of the ICAN Atlanta Steering Committee, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside dedicated individuals who are committed to making a positive impact on our local community. The collaborative efforts within the committee have been inspiring.
I’d simply state that ICIC and ICAN have far exceeded all expectations. I am honored to be connected to such an impactful organization.”
Barry Love, Market President
Real Time Feedback & Thryve Solutions
Atlanta, Georgia
thryve.solutions
ICAN Steering Committee Member ICCC Atlanta 2020 & 2021
ICAN Baltimore alumni
ICAN Washington D.C. alumni