An American Tour
Catalyzing Equity for Every Entrepreneur
Our nation stands at a critical point in the history of its culture and economy. The pandemic, as well as an increased focus on racial equity have laid bare inequities and systemic issues that have plagued our country for far too long.
Recent and emerging legislation is poised to bolster local economies and businesses through post-pandemic recovery. While these recovery funds represent the potential of great opportunity, there is equal concern that many Americans will continue to be ignored or — even worse — fall further behind. Community leaders across the country are asking the same vital question:
How might we design, lead and sustain entrepreneurial communities that spur more equitable opportunity for all?
A Collective Commitment
Our Vision
Every entrepreneur has equitable opportunity and access to develop, launch, and grow a business that creates wealth for themselves, their family and/or their community — Equity for Every Entrepreneur (E3).
Characteristics of an E3 Community:
Equity
A collective commitment to the people, policies, and practices that foster equity for every entrepreneur
Investment
A data-informed and sustained investment in the organizations and infrastructure required to support build back better through long-term systems change
Action
The centering of collaborative design and action as levers for community empowerment and economic prosperity
Learning
A commitment to learning, continuous improvement, and knowledge-sharing to scale impact
E3 Nation Communities
In 2023, we showcased two communities that are stepping up to prioritize equity as a foundational value of recovery and economic development: Douglas County and Lawrence, KS and Sacramento, CA.
E3 DOUGLAS CO/LAWRENCE
The Douglas County and Lawrence, KS community served as the inaugural experience for the E3 Nation Tour and took place February 2023. Facilitated by our team and hosted by Douglas County Government with support from Douglas County Community Foundation, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and Network Kansas, the event aimed to equip the Lawrence and Douglas County community to take the next steps on the path towards designing, leading, and sustaining equitable entrepreneurial communities.
“Our experience with Forward Cities as the first stop of the E3 tour surpassed my expectations in terms of the content, community response and the commitment to making change."
- Jill Jolicoeur in Douglas County, KS
E3 SACRAMENTO
E3 Sacramento 2023, held during "Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (E3) Week" in Sacramento, CA, was a dynamic event designed to equip Sacramento’s local leaders with the awareness and skills to more effectively see, support, and sustain entrepreneurs - with a racial equity lens. Sponsored and co-hosted by the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the City of Sacramento, with supporting sponsorship by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), the September 2023 event featured conversations, insights, and reflections to inform a forward-looking strategy to help local leaders more effectively center equity in the development of the ecosystem moving forward.
Your E3 Community Expert
FAY HORWITT
PRESIDENT & CEO
Fay Horwitt serves as the President & CEO of Forward Cities, where she oversees organizational and programmatic strategy and served as the executive lead of the ESHIP Communities initiative. Fay is a sought after presenter, trainer, and thought leader on the topic of catalyzing equitable ecosystems. Most recently, she is addressing an emergent need in cities across the country: ecosystem healing – an approach designed to help communities address the dual pandemic of COVID-19 and heightened systemic racism.
Communities are searching for answers. Horwitt is stepping forward with actionable solutions - guiding entrepreneurial support organizations and leaders as they seek to support and equitably serve entrepreneurs during these uncertain times and beyond.
For additional information, please contact us.