Building a More Inclusive Future: The 2025 BEI Impact Report Highlights Collective Progress and Urgency
In its latest 2025 Impact Report, Business Equity for Indy (BEI) offers more than a recap of milestones—it issues a call to action. With inclusion at the center of economic strategy, BEI continues to push boundaries through intentional collaboration, data-driven insights, and unapologetic advocacy. The report captures both the momentum and the challenges still ahead as the region works to expand opportunity for all.
“Our work is about unlocking the full potential of the Indy region by ensuring every business and every person has a chance to contribute to and benefit from economic growth,” said Melina Kennedy, CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership. “That doesn’t happen by accident—it takes focus, data, and alignment.”
From Commitment to Collective Action
Spanning BEI’s three pillars—People, Procurement, and Policy—the report documents meaningful shifts in practice among employers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. More than 60% of BEI-affiliated companies joined the Good Wages Initiative in 2024, committing to livable wages and employer-sponsored healthcare. Over 30% engaged in the Modern Apprenticeship Program, providing real-world career pathways for local talent.
In the procurement space, success stories like Edit Me Lo’s pitch win and contract award at a BEI roundtable demonstrate the power of exposure and relationships. Lauren Dickerson, CEO of Edit Me Lo, described the experience as “the spark that pushed my business further than I imagined possible.”
“This kind of transformation,” said Jeffrey A. Harrison, President & CEO of Citizens Energy Group and BEI Chairman, “is what the organization was built for. BEI provides companies with a framework to challenge themselves and improve, encompassing wage practices and talent retention. That impact ripples through families, communities, and industries.”
Policy that Protects and Propels
BEI’s policy wins in 2024 offer a roadmap for what’s possible when business and community leaders speak with a unified voice. The coalition supported legislative advances such as the expansion of Career Scholarship Accounts and 21st Century Scholars funding to cover apprenticeships and certifications, broadening access to high-wage careers for Indiana students.
BEI also helped safeguard investment in public transit and fought to protect diverse business certifications against proposed rollbacks. These victories underscore the organization’s long-term policy priorities: health equity, living wages, inclusive education, and infrastructure.
“As Central Indiana’s economic development and business membership organization, the Indy Chamber is proud to be a part of BEI,” said Matt Mindrum, President & CEO of the Indy Chamber. “As we work to grow the Indy region’s economy, it’s critical that we have policy and programs in place to ensure that all of our residents and businesses have the opportunity to participate in that growth and prosperity.”
What’s Next
As BEI looks toward the future, its leaders are doubling down on transparency and measurable impact. The organization is now tracking year-over-year payroll growth for Black-owned businesses and partnering with academic institutions to improve long-term data collection. These efforts aim to close data gaps that hinder effective policymaking and investment.
With more than 50 member organizations, 90+ community partners, and a growing base of public support, BEI is evolving from a movement into a sustained force for equitable growth.
“This is long-term work. But we’re seeing real progress because people are showing up—not just to talk, but to act,” shared Kristen Lampkin, Director, Business Equity for Indy. “Together, we’re proving that inclusion isn’t separate from economic development—it’s the engine of it.”
To learn more or become a BEI member, visit BusinessEquityIndy.com.
