Morris has worked to bring entrepreneurship empowerment to those operating under conditions of adversity, and this commitment is reflected in his research, teaching, and community engagement efforts. At Notre Dame he has launched the Global Partnership for Poverty and Entrepreneurship, a resource-sharing consortium for scholars, educators, and community leaders, and the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative, which helps low-income members of urban communities develop their own businesses. Morris also coordinates the Entrepreneurship Empowerment in South Africa Program, which enables students to work with historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in Cape Town, South Africa.