InBIA DEIA Initiatives

At InBIA, we believe all entrepreneurs — regardless of background or circumstance — deserve access to the resources, networks, and support needed to create thriving companies. That’s why we are committed to equipping Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) leaders with the tools, insights, and community they need to foster inclusive entrepreneurship in every community they serve.

Recognizing the different individual starting points and needs across our global membership, InBIA’s DEIA initiatives are designed to meet ESO practitioners where they are — whether they’re just beginning to explore equity-centered practices or are actively driving systemic change. Our work is grounded in practical experience, powered by community, and inspired by a vision of a more inclusive entrepreneurship landscape.

We invite you to explore and engage with three cornerstone efforts shaping our collective progress:

	The Equitable Communities Initiative (ECI) A community of practice advancing actionable, field-tested strategies for embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and access into ESO operations
	The Julius Morgan Award Celebrating outstanding ESO leadership and measurable impact in building inclusive ecosystems.
	InBIA’s DEIA Audit with Exodus Consulting An internal journey to strengthen our own competencies and ensure that we model the inclusive practi ces we champion.

Together, these efforts reflect our enduring commitment to helping ESOs become stronger, more equitable partners in the communities they serve.

Summary of Initiatives

InBIA’s Equitable Communities Initiative (ECI)

InBIA recognizes that serving diverse entrepreneurs requires intentionality, collaboration, and accountability. That’s why we launched the Equitable Communities Initiative (ECI), a dynamic community of practice designed to support entrepreneur support organization (ESO) practitioners who are committed to equity in entrepreneurship.

Through expert-led sessions, peer discussions, and collaborative problem-solving, ECI participants share strategies, gain practical tools, and explore new approaches to delivering inclusive programs and resources. Whether participants are focused on funding access, community partnerships, or culturally responsive programming, this group offers the insights and support needed to amplify impact.

The ECI is open to anyone passionate about serving diverse entrepreneurs. Those who join will build valuable skills, expand their network, and contribute to meaningful change by co-creating solutions that benefit the broader field.

Join the ECI

Julius Morgan Award

Julius Morgan was a co-founder of the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA, rebranded to the International Business Innovation Association in 2015) and served as the first African American Director of its Board of Directors (1990-1996). He symbolized a new brand of business incubators - those bringing economic development to urban entrepreneurship ecosystems - and he is credited with bringing the Milwaukee Enterprise Center (MEC) into fruition. In dedication to Julius Morgan, InBIA launched the Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2022 to recognize excellence in creating inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems and supporting diverse entrepreneurs.

Recent Winners

DEIA Audit with Exodus Consulting

At InBIA, we believe that supporting equity in entrepreneurship begins with doing the work ourselves. To ensure we are modeling the inclusive practices we promote, we’ve partnered with Exodus Consulting Group to conduct a comprehensive, organization-wide DEIA audit.

This work, underway through Fall 2025, is designed to strengthen our internal culture, sharpen our programming, and improve our ability to help Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the communities they serve.

Why This Audit Matters
To be a credible and trusted provider of DEIA tools and practices, InBIA must embody those values in our own operations and leadership. This initiative ensures we are aligning our mission with our methods — and learning alongside the ESOs we serve.

The multi-phase audit, led by Exodus Consulting Group, includes:

Organizational Assessment:
A deep evaluation of our current DEIA competencies — including staff and board capacity, internal policies, external communications, and programming.

Strategic Planning:
Recommendations for improving and embedding DEIA across our organization’s culture, governance, member services, and partnerships.

Implementation Guidance:
Tools and strategies to help InBIA adopt sustainable, equity-aligned practices that support long-term impact.

This process is both reflective and forward-looking. It centers member and staff input, examines the lived experience within our organization, and brings to light opportunities to grow and lead more authentically.

What Comes Next
The findings of the audit will directly inform improvements to our existing programming, member engagement strategies, and internal operations. More importantly, they will guide how we support the ESOs in our network — providing tested, relevant practices that can be adapted and adopted in diverse local contexts.

This audit is one step — an important one — in ensuring that our work to build inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems is grounded in integrity, informed by evidence, and driven by impact.