This story was originally published in Moving Cities Forward, the Forward Cities monthly newsletter. Subscribe for the latest news and updates from cities across the country.
A Message from Our CEO
Did you know that entrepreneurship is derived from the French word entreprendre, meaning to undertake? When I think about the work we do at Forward Cities, I am reminded that we too are undertaking something meaningful. We are choosing to believe in people, in possibility, and in the idea that hope, opportunity, and the means for a more prosperous future can be built with intention.
As we enter the last stretch of the year, we are focused on finishing strong while actively shaping our approach for 2026. There is optimism in this moment, balanced by the awareness that real progress requires clarity, coordination, and curiosity.
Looking at our programming, I see the common thread of investment running through it. The E3 Durham Learn-to-Earn pathway is helping entrepreneurs convert knowledge gained through business education into real investment to grow and scale their ventures. The Durham E3 Alliance is helping support organizations to align their efforts in a way that leads to shared results for the entrepreneurs we collectively serve. Third Thursdays is building a cooperative space where entrepreneurs and partners spend time together, learn from one another, and reinforce the conditions for business growth.
These efforts create a roadmap for understanding where investment has the greatest impact — a truth underscored during September’s E3 Alliance meeting and Third Thursdays event. As I looked around the room, I felt inspired by the partnerships forged between cities, counties, community development entities, business owners, and entrepreneurial support organizations willing to collectively undertake the charge of fostering economic and community vitality for entrepreneurs, together. This collaborative approach is already yielding tangible results, which we are excited to begin sharing soon.
As we plan for what’s next, one truth is clear: the quality of our investment will matter just as much as the quantity. Beyond financial capital, true investment means supporting the people who dare to build, the partners who stand beside them, and the communities where business vitality takes root.
Dr. Diamonte Walker, Forward Cities Chief Executive Officer
Forward Cities remains committed to fostering local business vitality and we do so through the spirit of cooperation. Our work is about creating the conditions for businesses to grow stronger, not through transactional efforts, but through the transformational ones we are willing to undertake together.
In Service,
Dr. Diamonte Walker
Forward Cities CEO