Program Update
Inner City 100 Awards
Since its establishment in 1999, ICIC has identified and honored the 100 fastest-growing businesses located in under-resourced communities through the prestigious Inner City 100 (IC100) awards. During this time, ICIC has had the privilege of learning about and highlighting more than 1,000 remarkable business leaders and companies from across the United States. These firms have proven to be catalysts for job growth and promoters of a thriving, inclusive economy, even amidst challenging circumstances. Furthermore, these leaders have actively contributed to the enhancement of their communities by generously donating their time and resources to local organizations and charitable causes.
ICIC is excited to expand upon and further diversify this impressive group of business leaders by celebrating its 2024 IC100 winners that represent a vast range of industries.
The IC100 Award’s Why
ICIC was established during a time when Americans faced significant doubts regarding the safety and economic potential of the nation’s under-resourced communities (URCs). ICIC created the IC100 to demonstrate and validate the competitive strength of URCs as a viable business landscape. This initiative quickly gained traction, receiving more than 2,000 nominations representing 200 cities by its third year. Today, the Inner City 100 Awards continue to amplify the voices of businesses in under-resourced communities, celebrating their resilience and potential for growth.
IC100 Methodology
Every year, ICIC identifies, ranks, and awards the 100 fastest-growing businesses located in America’s under-resourced[1] communities. In 2024, companies were selected and ranked by revenue growth over the four-year period between 2019 and 2023, showcasing their exceptional resilience and commitment to driving economic development in areas that need it most.
Impact Snapshot: Inner City 100
Summary of 2024 Award Winners
22
Industries represented
56
Cities represented
23
States represented
60%
BIPOC-owned/led
54%
Woman-owned/led
3%
LGBTQ+ -owned/ed
6%
Veteran-owned/ed
34%
First-time winners
25%
Hall of Fame winners
(5 or more wins)
347%
Average 4-year revenue growth
$11.4M
Average 2023 revenue
2,089
Total jobs created
(2019-2023)
Alumni Spotlight
“Being an IC100 award winner has allowed me to connect to a community of like-minded businesspeople. Through the development of my career, which I’ve been really intentional about, I’ve never found that before—not in my industry, not in my journeys, not in my mentoring, never. When I stepped into the room with my fellow winners, I was elated to find that these are my people! This is where I belong. This community is not only a benefit to me. My ‘why’ is to help people move from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ by empowering them to do what makes their heart sing. This network allows me to be my best and, in turn, to help others to be their best.”
Mouji Linarez, President
CEI, Inc.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Two-time Inner City 100 Award Winner
[1] Recognizing that concentrated poverty exists within metropolitan areas outside of big cities (and that poverty overall is suburbanizing), ICIC has revised its definition of an inner city (or under-resourced area) to encompass large areas of concentrated poverty in suburbs and smaller central cities as well as the large cities on which it has historically focused. The new “inner city” definition that ICIC has developed includes large, low-income, high-poverty areas located in the urban and suburban parts of all but the smallest metropolitan areas.