Forging Forward is the official podcast of Forward Cities. Through these stories, we amplify the urgent work of entrepreneurial ecosystem building — an emerging field aiming to achieve economic, racial, and social justice through more equitable support for entrepreneurs.
Listen to the Latest episode of Forging Forward
Season one
Meet the Builders: The Intersection of Identity and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building
Our inaugural season features conversations between Forward Cities’ Local Directors LC Johnson (Franklin County/Columbus, OH) and Kaliah Ligon (Indianapolis, IN), and former Program Manager Kim Louis (New Kensington, PA), and host Rajah Satterwhite (Forward Cities Communications Manager). Conversations delve into the changing landscape of entrepreneurship and small business ownership in each of their communities in light of the global health crisis and movement for racial equity and justice.
SEASON TWO
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building as a Practice
Season two of Forging Forward dives deeper into the work of Forward Cities’ Local Directors through the experience of entrepreneurs who participated in the Minimal Viable Solution (MVS) pilot program as part of our Community Entrepreneurship Accelerators in Franklin County/Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, and Pittsburgh, PA.
Episode List
- Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building and Measurable Processes
- Community Entrepreneurship Accelerators (CEA) Explained
- Side Hustle to CEO
- Franklin County/ Columbus, OH Minimal Viable Solution Story
- Culturally-Affirming Neighborhood Coworking Space with Business Incubator
- Indianapolis, IN Minimal Viable Solution Story
- E3 Network in Pittsburgh, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA Ecosystem Building
ESHIP Communities Bonus Episode
Welcome to the ESHIP Communities bonus episodes of Forging Forward. Funded by the Kauffman Foundation, ESHIP Communities exists to explore pathways to build inclusive, sustainable entrepreneur-centric economies; providing people with ideas, the connections, tools, and support needed to be successful.
Forward Cities has four ESHIP communities across the country including - ESHIP Rio Grande in New Mexico, ESHIP Long Beach in- CA, ESHIP Kansas City in KS and MO; and ESHIP Baltimore in MD. In this two-part series, we’ll listen in on conversations centered around specific areas of focus for each community.
About the Host
Rajah Satterwhite is a Communications Manager at Forward Cities and develops 
informed communications growth strategies to produce engaging content that elevates resources and stories of underrepresented and under-capitalized entrepreneurs and communities. One product of Rajah’s dedication to catalyzing systemic change is the newly launched Forward Cities’ podcast Forging Forward. Outside of Rajah’s role at Forward Cities, she can be found listening to new music, cohosting the Talking Brown Sugar podcast, helping new and aspiring entrepreneurs with promotion and content, or pinning recipes.
Forging Forward is available on all major listening platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcasts.
For inquiries and guest appearances contact us at marketing@forwardcities.org.
Support Forging Forward
Our work is generously supported by local and national foundations as well as corporations and listeners who share our commitment to fostering more equitable entrepreneurial communities across the country. If you are interested in supporting us directly please click here. If you’d like to talk further about how you or your organization can best support Forward Cities’ mission please contact us. Thank you!