INROADS Company Profile

Background

INROADS is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating pathways to careers for talented high school and college students across the United States. Founded in 1970 by Frank C. Carr, INROADS aims to develop and place underserved youth in business and industry, preparing them for corporate and community leadership. The organization envisions a world where leaders enrich the composition and culture of business and social communities through diversity and inclusion.

Key Strategic Focus

INROADS focuses on delivering innovative leadership development programs and creative solutions that identify, accelerate, and elevate underrepresented talent throughout their careers. The organization partners with over 400 academic institutions and 200 corporations to place approximately 1,500 students in internship positions annually, including around 500 STEM majors. These efforts aim to increase workplace diversity, improve college retention rates, and strengthen the pipeline of highly qualified, diverse candidates.

Financials and Funding

In the fiscal year ending August 31, 2019, INROADS reported net revenue of $6,713,699, with $6,797,945 derived from contributions and grants. The organization had net expenses of $6,695,406, including $4,391,010 allocated towards salaries and compensation. INROADS ended the year with $155,744 in net assets and reduced total liabilities from $7,793,708 to $1,797,190.

Pipeline Development

INROADS offers several key programs:

• Internship Program: Places minority students in paid, multi-year summer internships that provide networking opportunities and career development resources. In 2021, over 6,000 candidates were accepted, with 907 receiving internships at 134 companies and federal government agencies.

• Financial Services Institute Program: A 10-week spring program for Black college sophomores interested in financial services careers. From 2019 to 2021, 75% of participants secured internships, primarily with financial service companies.

Technological Platform and Innovation

INROADS leverages technology to enhance program delivery and participant engagement. The organization utilizes eLearning modules, online applications, and webinars to provide accessible and scalable training solutions. Additionally, INROADS employs customized software to advertise career opportunities specifically to its alumni network, ensuring continuous professional development and connection.

Leadership Team

• Forest T. Harper, Jr.: President and CEO of INROADS. Harper has an extensive background, including 28 years at Pfizer, where he held vice-president positions, and service as a captain in the 82nd Airborne Infantry.

• Yvette Smith: Chair of the Board of Directors. Smith is associated with F5 Networks and has been serving as board chair since 2021.

The Board of Directors comprises executives from various leading corporations, including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Southern Company, Korn Ferry, Cetera Financial Group, L3Harris Technologies, Key Bank, nThrive, Diversity Inc., Zoetis, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Foley Hoag LLP, Salesforce.com, United Rentals, Truist, Daimler Trucks North America, PNC Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, Mayo Clinic, MetLife, Bank of America, Boeing, American Airlines, UnitedHealth Group, and NCR.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

INROADS operates within the non-profit sector, focusing on leadership development and career placement for underrepresented youth. The market for such services is characterized by a growing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within corporate America. Organizations like INROADS play a crucial role in bridging the gap between talented minority students and corporations seeking to diversify their workforce.

Competitor Analysis

INROADS faces competition from several organizations with similar missions:

• Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT): A national non-profit transforming leadership pipelines by equipping Black, Latinx, and Native American talent to secure high-trajectory jobs.

• Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO): An organization that has been an innovator in education, mentorship, and networks to turn untapped potential into newfound opportunities.

• Posse Foundation: Empowers diverse groups of leaders who transform communities, the country, and the world.

These organizations, like INROADS, focus on developing underrepresented talent and connecting them with corporate partners to foster diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

INROADS collaborates with over 400 academic institutions and 200 corporations to facilitate internship placements and leadership development programs. Notable partners include Texas Instruments, Boeing, TD Bank Financial Group, Regions Bank, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Travelers Insurance, Target, MetLife, Pfizer, Google, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, RBC Capital Markets, Sunoco Inc, KPMG, Bridgestone/Firestone, Allstate Insurance, Johnson and Johnson, Coca-Cola, PECO, Vanguard, United Health Group, United Technologies, and Kraft.

Additionally, INROADS partners with organizations such as the 100 Black Men of America, Alignment Strategies, BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe), Blacks in Government (BIG), Clark Atlanta University, Cristo Rey Network, Diversity & Inclusion Television (DITV), Diversity in Action, Fair360, The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), Harmony Public Schools, Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC), Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., ITSMF, Jack & Jill of America, Kanarys, Karat, LEADership Education and Development (LEAD), Mentor Spaces, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), Per Scholas, Savoy, and Symba.

Operational Insights

INROADS differentiates itself through its comprehensive approach to talent development, which includes recruitment, training, internship placement, and ongoing support. The organization's long-standing relationships with corporate partners and academic institutions enable it to effectively match students with opportunities that align with their career aspirations. INROADS' commitment to diversity and inclusion, combined with its extensive network, positions it as a leader in the field of leadership development for underrepresented youth.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

INROADS' current three-year strategic plan, guiding the organization through 2024, focuses on:

1. Positively impacting the lives of 10,000 students each year with capabilities, tools, mentoring, and talent to achieve professional and financial success.

2. Serving as a premier resource to public and private sector companies focused on meeting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in human resources and corporate social responsibility.

3. Leveraging technology and an omnichannel delivery strategy to increase access across programs.

4. Elevating the advancement of racial equity as a central theme of their work.

5. Engaging in research activities to more effectively demonstrate program impact.

By focusing on these strategic pillars, INROADS aims to expand its reach, enhance program effectiveness, and continue to be a catalyst for change in promoting diversity and inclusion within corporate America.

Contact Information

• Website: [inroads.org](https://inroads.org/)

• Social Media:

• Facebook: INROADSInc

• Twitter: @INROADS

• LinkedIn: Company INROADS

• Instagram: inroadsinc

INROADS continues to be a pivotal organization in fostering diversity and inclusion by developing and placing underrepresented talent in meaningful career paths.