Strategic Partners

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a nonprofit research and strategy organization and the leading authority on U.S. inner city economies and the businesses that thrive there. Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, ICIC strengthens inner city economies by providing businesses, governments and investors with the most comprehensive and actionable information in the field about urban market opportunities.


Home of the DiversityInc Top 50 corporations – which utilizes select criteria to rank corporations that understand the business value of diversity-management initiatives. The Top 50 List has evolved significantly and continues to be refined and improved to reflect how rapidly companies are adapting these strategies. DiversityInc is also home to Luke Visconti’s “Ask the White Guy”, which is his response to today’s challenging topics and issues around diversity and inclusion.


The BDR encourages corporate entities to continue growing their supplier diversity programs by increasing commitment and spending levels each year. The BDR inducts new members bi-annually.


U.S. Department of Commerce – MBDA MBDA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that helps to create and sustain U.S. jobs by promoting the growth and global competitiveness of businesses owned and operated by minority entrepreneurs.


In November 2013, The MMBC Continuum partnered with the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to replicate The MMBC Continuum model in six communities within the DRA footprint. The initial investment of $250,000 introduced The MMBC Continuum as a partner in DRA’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Initiative to diversify the region's economic base, create and retain jobs, increase the competitiveness of existing businesses, foster the development and use of innovative technologies, and enhance entrepreneurial activity.

The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership that is congressionally mandated to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives in the 252 counties and parishes of the Delta. Through its Small Business and Entrepreneurship Initiative, the Authority has invested nearly $8 million in small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Delta, creating or retaining nearly 1,000 jobs and leveraging $13 million in other public and private investment.


As the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the EDA plays a critical role in fostering regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Through strategic investments that foster job creation and attract private investment, EDA supports development, particularly in economically distressed areas of the United States.

Memphis Tomorrow is an association of CEOs of Memphis' largest businesses. Their purpose is to engage the highest-ranking officers, and the resources of their companies, in fostering prosperity and quality of life for all who live in our community..

Their initiatives are focused in those areas which directly impact economic growth and opportunity, including: human capital development, industry development, and public safety.


Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
Resource provider for businesses in Tennessee.


MAAG is an organization promoting and assisting in economic and community development in Fayette, Lauderdale, Tipton and Shelby counties in Tennessee, DeSoto County in Mississippi; and Crittenden County in Arkansas.