A Foundation for Lasting Impact

Dear Friends and Partners,
More than three decades ago, when Michael Porter first articulated a bold vision for ICIC, I had the privilege of standing alongside him. From the beginning, ICIC was grounded in a simple but powerful belief: that inner cities and under-resourced communities hold tremendous, often overlooked economic value—and that by unlocking that value, we could help transform lives and communities across the country.

The stories in this Impact Report reaffirm what I have always believed about our small business owners: when they gain access to opportunity, capital, and practical know-how, they don’t just survive—they lead. Their creativity, resilience, and determination are the true drivers of ICIC’s impact. As a Board, our role has been stewardship: supporting leadership, safeguarding the mission, and ensuring that our work remains relevant, research-driven, and responsive to the needs of the businesses and neighborhoods we serve.

With this year’s Impact Report, I also share some personal news: I will be stepping down as Chair of ICIC’s Board at the end of 2025, but will continue as a Board member. Serving as Board Chair over the past five years has been both a privilege and a profound responsibility. These have been tumultuous years—marked by a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and a long-overdue national reckoning with racial injustice following the murder of George Floyd. Through it all, ICIC has stayed grounded in its mission while leaning into innovation, expanding and refining programs that help small businesses grow, hire, and build wealth in their communities.

I am pleased to share that Jair Lynch will succeed me as Chair of the Board. Jair brings deep experience as a developer, investor, and champion for equitable growth. I am confident that he will further ICIC’s mission and vision, confront and address the most pressing challenges facing under-resourced communities, and help create lasting impact by leveraging new tools, partnerships, and ideas to extend our reach and deepen our work.

We have accomplished a great deal together: expanding programs, strengthening our research, elevating alumni success stories, and demonstrating—year after year—that inclusion and innovation go hand in hand. Yet the work is far from finished. ICIC’s mission, and the entrepreneurs at the heart of it, remain as urgent and inspiring as ever.

On behalf of the Board, thank you to our alumni, partners, funders, nominators, instructors, and staff. Your trust, collaboration, and unwavering belief in what is possible have amplified ICIC’s impact in communities across the country.

With gratitude,

Ronald A. Homer
Chair, Board of Directors
Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)