Inner City 100
The Top Ten
Clason Point Partners
Clason Point Partners provides IT, logistics, administrative, and acquisition support services to both government and commercial clients. Under the dynamic leadership of Albert Cruz and Raul Collado, this government-services provider has been able to grow immensely over the past five years—skyrocketing from annual revenues of $100,000 to over $4.5 million in only five years. Cruz and Collado use each project as an opportunity to showcase their "dogmatic commitment to quality and customer service" with a results-oriented focus on efficiency. Additionally, they aim to provide CPP employees with a fair compensation package and create an environment of respect for one another and pride in the work that they do. Looking ahead, Cruz and Collado are working towards maintaining the firm's growth while effectively managing the resulting changes.
SUPRA Office Solutions/EMSCO Scientific Enterprises
SUPRA is operated across two separate industries: the office products industry and the laboratory and research supply. It also works in the pharmaceutical industry by way of its acquisition of EMSCO. SUPRA was founded by four African-American males who had previous experience working in and aiding the vast growth of another office products company. SUPRA/EMSCO, is headquartered in Philadelphia, with a national customer base. Customers include small businesses, non-profits, schools, prestigious major universities, and Fortune 1000 customers over a cross section of industries. The four principals first credit God's blessings for their growth and success. The company has contributed substantially over the years to a diversity of community causes. It is dedicated to national expansion and eventual international growth.
Ocho Candy
Seeing a market opportunity for an organic candy bar, Denis Ring committed to making products that were delicious, organic, affordable, and fun. Denis wanted to democratize the organic confectionary market by making it easy for anyone to buy organic candy and feel good about it. Fast forward seven years, and Ocho Candy is one of the fastest-growing confection companies in North America. Two years ago, OCHO invested in a unique, high-tech European production line that increased capacity significantly. The company now sells organic products at major national grocery stores like Whole Foods, Kroger, Stop and Shop, Costco, and Star Market. Located in inner-city Oakland, Ocho Candy hires locally to support the community and is committed to staying in the neighborhood.
Team SI
Established in 2010, Team SI is a data-driven marketing firm whose designers, strategists, and data specialists create unique customer experiences for clients using digital and social media platforms. Team SI developed its own proprietary system called Doppio that pairs the most sophisticated aggregated and automated data analytics platform available with insights and instincts of their certified professional staff to optimize campaign effectiveness. It is a Google partner since 2012 and was named to Silicon Review's 50 Innovative Companies to Watch list in 2016. Team SI is perhaps best known for coining the term "TraDigital," the art of blending traditional and digital marketing, which they build into each data-driven marketing plan. Team SI represents local, regional, and national clients in a variety of categories, including agriculture and equipment, healthcare, and higher education.
Caduceus Healthcare
Of all the lessons Carlos Lopez learned during his 20 years in the U.S. Marines, one in particular has stayed with him: always take care of each other. Now the CEO of Caduceus Healthcare, Lopez strives to implement this idea for both employees and customers. A medical staffing firm, Caduceus acts as a conduit between workers and potential employers, generally medical facilities operated by the government. Lopez appreciates the chance work through the stereotypes or concerns that prospective employees may have about working in a military hospital or other federal institution. Headquartered in downtown Atlanta, Caduceus is able to draw on a dedicated workforce and regularly recruits interns from Georgia State University. As the company continues to grow and diversify, venturing further into the commercial sector, Lopez and his team will seek to maintain their culture of loyalty and dedication to one another.
