Marcus Yancey is an Economic Development and Small Business Lender for Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago (LISC).  LISC’s goal is to create socially and economically vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods with living wage jobs, local businesses, good schools, quality housing and needed amenities. Marcus assists with LISC’s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund by providing a mix of capital, free technical assistance and coaching services. LISC Chicago’s EOC Fund focuses on 15 communities on the South and West Sides of Chicago, which are marked by historically low levels of small business creation. Once the entrepreneurs are ready to apply for financing LISC will look at providing loan opportunities over $100,000.

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Marcus is also the Founder of Innovative Economic Solutions (IES). IES is an economic development consulting firm that assists economic development and community-based organizations, government entities and minority-owned businesses. IES focuses on providing services that enhance entrepreneurial ecosystems, community integration, business resources as well as business development initiatives.      

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Prior to the IES, Marcus worked for the Illinois Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. There he developed, managed and directed all business development programs for minority business initiatives. While at DCEO, Marcus assisted the development of the State ran program, Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship (ADME), designed to increase business diversity within the state by providing minority owned business with necessary resources to create and grow sustainable businesses. One of Marcus’ greatest accomplishments was being the primary point for the ideology and installation of the Department of Commerce's Office of Minority Economic Empowerment where he served as Deputy Director.