Center director James H. Johnson Jr. has developed a conceptual model that identifies six types of assets that communities need to compete and thrive in today's highly competitive, knowledge-based economy: political, physical, financial, human, cultural and social.
The center helps communities evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relative to those assets and develop a vision and plan for gaining competitive advantage. It promotes entrepreneurial and market-based solutions for poverty alleviation, job creation and community development in America's economically distressed communities.
The center's programs focus on:
- Strengthening inner-city workforces
- Growing inner-city businesses
- Helping promising minority and women-owned businesses access capital
- Bringing an entrepreneurial attitude to charitable organizations and government institutions.