ABOUT CCI

WHAT WE DO

Promoting equity in local communities through research, information, and engagement

The Collaborative Community Initiative (CCI) is a wholly volunteer, board-directed 501(c)3 non-profit, run by professionals with extensive experience in business management, minority business policy, economic development research, and outreach to BIPOC communities. Our mission is to use research and data analysis, community awareness, and small business engagement to highlight the economic disparities faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and empower them to create change.

CCI uses research from myriad public and historical sources in combination with local data obtained by traditional community engagement methods such as networking and surveys to develop an ongoing understanding of the ever-evolving New Orleans BIPOC business ecosystem.

MILESTONES

A Track Record of Success

Since it's founding in 2017, CCI's milestones have included:

2021

Propeller's Impact Accelerator cohort (Community Economic Development)
New Orleans City Business spotlight

2022

Launch of the Black Business Data Project, a census of New Orleans' Black Businesses

2023

Expansion of research to include full New Orleans BIPOC Business Analysis
Research, community engagement expertise, and project coordination services in support of our partners at The Collaborative, who worked with State Representative Delisha Boyd to pass Act 230, which allows the City of New Orleans to set-aside up to 25% of city contracts for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.
Continuation of data collection regarding New Orleans' BIPOC businesses

CORE VALUES

What's important to us

Anti-Racism
Building Community Relationships & Trust through Grassroots Engagement
Community Economic Education
Economic Equity in BIPOC Communities
Normalizing Generational Wealth in BIPOC Communities
Promoting Economically Sustainable Communities