Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

Step inside Global Café in Memphis and you’ll find more than incredible food. You’ll find a table built for connection. 🍽️

Founded by Sabine Langer, Global Café brings people together through dishes from around the world, prepared by immigrant and refugee chefs who share their talents, stories, and culinary traditions with the Memphis community.

At the heart of the restaurant is a large community table, where strangers can sit together, start conversations, and feel a little more connected. For Sabine, who is an immigrant herself, that sense of belonging is exactly what she hoped to create.

Today, Global Café’s impact is being recognized with the 2025 Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award through the IC100 Awards. The honor celebrates businesses that create quality jobs, give back to their communities, and show what meaningful impact can look like in action.

From investing in employees through profit-sharing and support resources to preparing meals for neighbors during emergencies, Global Café is a powerful reminder that businesses can grow while caring deeply for the people around them.

Read Sabine’s story and learn how Global Café is building community through business: https://icic.org/blog/a-table-for-everyone/

There’s nothing like starting a new cohort in person!

ICIC recently welcomed business owners to the Opening Seminar for the 2026 ICCC Greater Boston Cohort at Quincy College, bringing together entrepreneurs who are ready to strengthen their businesses, build new connections, and take the next step toward long-term growth.

ICCC is designed for business owners who are ready to engage deeply, learn alongside peers, and focus on the tools, strategy, and capital readiness needed to grow sustainably. The Greater Boston cohort began with this in-person seminar and will continue with monthly virtual sessions before coming back together for an in-person graduation.

Know a small business owner who could benefit from executive education, coaching, peer learning, and capital readiness support?

ICCC cohorts take place in communities across the country, so explore upcoming opportunities and find a cohort near you today! : https://icic.org/programs/inner-city-capital-connections/

Calling all food entrepreneurs!

Join us on Thursday, July 9 at 3:00 p.m. ET to learn more about Santander Bank US’s award-winning Cultivate Small Business program.

Cultivate Small Business is a no-cost, 12-week MBA-style program designed to help early-stage food entrepreneurs build and sustain their businesses. Through live virtual classes, a customized curriculum, and support from industry experts, participants gain the tools they need to strengthen their business plans, better understand their target markets and financials, and set clear goals for growth.

The program provides:
🎓 Live virtual classes taught by Babson College professors
🧠 Curriculum designed specifically for food business owners
🤝 A network of fellow food entrepreneurs and industry experts
💰 Capital grant awards ranging from $2,500 up to $20,000

The Fall 2026 cohort is open to entrepreneurs in all 50 states and will run virtually from September 10 to December 3.

Applications are due by July 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Register for the information session today: https://icic.org/prog

Congratulations to the first ICCC Veterans Cohort!

On June 18, we gathered in San Diego to celebrate an incredible group of veteran- and military-connected business owners at their capstone event. It was a meaningful day filled with connection, insight, and well-earned recognition.

The capstone featured presentations from veteran business owners who shared their business capabilities and the work they are continuing to build. Attendees also heard from Tommy Smith of Kaiser Permanente during a fireside chat about procurement needs and processes, offering helpful perspective for businesses preparing for future opportunities.

The day also included graduation certificate presentations for the companies in attendance and a networking session with local resource organizations.
We are proud to share that 40 companies completed the first ICCC Veterans Cohort. Their engagement, leadership, and commitment helped make this cohort such a strong start.

Because of that momentum, we are excited to launch a nationwide ICCC Veterans Cohort later this fall.

Congratulations again to all of the participating business owners. We are honored to celebrate your hard work and excited to see what you continue to build.