Newspaper Article

From Harvard, Help for Inner City

Cowan, Alison Leigh

1994

Overview

\"What we're trying to do is facilitate a process,\" he said. \"A lot of my students have never been in the inner-city before, and now they're finding out there are entrepreneurs here to work with. That's what is going to solve this problem. Not some magic government solution. But lots of little connections that get built. I've watched nations grow, and they grow not in grand bursts, but in the slow way people connect.\" Making the Rounds While he won't rule out a Washington job some day, Professor [Michael E. Porter] says he is simply following his usual path of wanting to attack the big problems of his day. And the business owners whom he is helping seem grateful for the hours of free technical assistance and the connections. \"One of the great things Mike can do is bring light to this because of the respect he has out in the business community,\" said Darryl Settles, the owner of Bob the Chef's, whose \"glori-fried\" chicken specialties brings in sales of $1 million a year. \"A lot of people look at the inner city and see high crime and low income,\" said Mr. [Edwin Rivera], who plans to become a consultant after he graduates. \"Me? I wouldn't mind being a passive investor in a business like this. I've seen its operations, and I think it's a money maker.\"

• Publisher: New York Times Company
• Subject: COWAN, ALISON LEIGH / ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND TRENDS / PORTER, MICHAEL E (PROF) / URBAN AREAS