For Immediate Release                                           Contact: Lori Warren

December 14, 2007                                                   510-251-2600 x103                                                    

                                                                                       lwarren@insightcced.org

 

 

Oakland-- The Insight Center for Community Economic Development (Insight Center) has launched “InBiz,” the Inclusive Business Initiative to promote policies and programs in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors that enhance minority and women-owned business development.

 

The components of the Initiative include a three-report research series entitled “Best Practices, Imperfections, and Challenges in State Inclusive Business Programs” which looks at the trend and impact of affirmative action procurement and targeted small development at the state level, as well as a website. The website is designed to provide comprehensive information to states and local governments, as well as diverse small businesses and their advocates, in order to further the inclusive business programs of public agencies.  Both the research reports and the state-searchable database on the website provide information that is not otherwise available. Other components will be added to the Initiative next year and beyond.

 

“This is the first time that so much information has been available in one place regarding state inclusive business programs. We will continue to add new data and information on a continual basis. In addition, the website features the InBiz Blog and a discussion forum for inclusive business practitioners.”

 

Roger Clay Jr., President of the Insight Center added, “This initiative is a key component of the Insight Center's work to advance strategies that build family and community assets and help overcome the racial wealth gap.”

 

The research reports and the InBiz website can be found at www.insightcced.org.

 

The Insight Center for Community Economic Development, formerly the National Economic Development and Law Center (NEDLC), is a national research, consulting and legal organization dedicated to helping people and communities become, and remain, economically secure. The Insight Center's multidisciplinary approach utilizes a wide array of community economic development strategies including industry-focused workforce development, individual and community asset building, establishing the link between early care and education and economic development, and advocating for the adoption of the Self-Sufficiency Standard as a measurement of wage adequacy and an alternative to the Federal Poverty Line.

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