At the center of that process was Justin Carr of Carr & Co., who led production of the RICE Report. Justin brought vision, clarity, and artistry, shaping the data and narratives into something inspiring rather than mechanical. He understood that this report couldn’t just inform, it needed to move people. His fingerprints are on every page, from the flow of the stories to the way the images guide the eye. Working with him was also a reminder of who we are at RICE. We don’t just say we support Black businesses—we hire them, collaborate with them, and give them the space to help shape our story.
The finished product captures more than just statistics. Yes, the data is there—revenue generated, jobs created, growth measured, and milestones documented. But those numbers live alongside the voices of our Stakeholders, the entrepreneurs who come through RICE every day determined to build something bigger than themselves. Their stories are what give the report life, showing how our programming and resources translate into real impact.
This year’s report also expands the definition of what storytelling looks like. It includes our Georgia AIM 53-foot mobile studio, a moving hub of innovation that’s been traveling across the state with VR simulations, robotics demonstrations, and new opportunities for work and training. It’s a story about what happens when access is no longer confined to a building but delivered directly to communities who need it most.
The RICE Report is, at its heart, a time capsule. Within its pages is a record of the milestones that got us here and a roadmap for where we’re headed in 2025 and beyond. It is proof of the ecosystem we’ve built together—part data, part storytelling, part vision—and all RICE.
