Forward Cities June 2021 Issue: Ecosystem Building is Helping Entrepreneurs Connect

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September 2022

Pulling the Legacy Forward

Teli Shabu leads a tour of Durham’s historic Black Wall Street.

The Black Wall Street Forward initiative is underway and the excitement for what’s to come is palpable! We know that words are powerful, and the narratives we tell offer a reflection of the dominant, shared interpretation of the world around us.

In partnership with Truist, Black Wall Street Forward aims to change the false and damaging dominant narrative of diminished value, disinvestment, and dependence on non-Black resources for Black businesses. We are pulling forward the legacy of Black Wall Street to catalyze narrative change and are engaging emerging Black ecosystem leaders in each of the five communities to bring it all together.

Map of NC with pins on Durham, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, and Charlotte

Map of NC with pins on Durham, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, and Charlotte

Each Ecosystem Builder in Residence (EBIR) is helping us facilitate narrative change through Mastermind training sessions, where they learn best practices and build their professional capacity, serving as the local convener, and assembling and guiding 12-person councils in their respective communities. Read more about the EBIRs on our website and stay up to date on the Black Wall Street Forward initiative by checking out our blog stories.

Meet The EBIRS

Impact in Indy

E3 Indy is committed to building a more equitable ecosystem for all Indianapolis entrepreneurs, and after months of collaboration with Indy entrepreneur support leaders, we are making headway. At the July Spark Event, the E3 Indy Network of business and entrepreneur support organizations came together for a conversation on the ecosystem strengths and a discussion of the opportunities available to entrepreneurs in the community.

More recently, Forward Cities and the E3 Indy Network, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, developed a pilot concept and a strategy to scale what is working within the Indianapolis entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re excited for what’s to come!

Learn More About E3 Indy

Ecosystem Builders (e.Builders) Forum

Forward Cities will again be supporting the InBIA e.builders Forum, this time in our backyard here in the Triangle. In addition to curating panelists and content, you'll get to see many of our staff moderating sessions at this two day conference. We hope to see you there!

Staff Picks

Industry News, Reports, Best Practices

Techstars Startup Weekend Social Innovation Durham
Techstars Startup Weekend is an exciting and immersive foray into the world of startups. Over an action-packed three days from October 14-16, you’ll meet the very best mentors, investors, co-founders and sponsors to show you how to get more done faster -- and, maybe even start that business.

2022 SCN Fall Summit
The 2022 SCN Fall Summit will take place in the historic Stockyards of Fort Worth, Texas October 17-19. Over the course of 2.5 days, the Summit Host team will showcase some of Fort Worth’s strengths, highlighting how these strengths can translate to a nationwide movement to combat the recent economic struggles in our country.

Other Picks

The Importance of Giving Underserved Entrepreneurs the Tools to Grow According to One VC, Forbes
How My Hispanic Heritage Has Impacted My Journey as an Entrepreneur and Business Leader, Nasdaq
Ecosystem Mapping Lessons Learned, Startup Champions Network

"Future is not about just tech but about inclusion, empowerment and economic opportunity."

– Caesar Sengupta, Co-Founder/CEO at Arbo Works (formerly GM & VP Google, Payments & Next Billion Users)