Urban Business Institute℠
Our Initiatives
Urban Enterprise organizes its work through eight key community-driven verticals:
The Urban Business Institute is a comprehensive entrepreneur development program designed to equip small business owners and aspiring founders—particularly those in underrepresented communities—with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to succeed. We focus on building strong, sustainable businesses that contribute to economic growth and community well-being.
Program Overview
- 12-week structured curriculum focused on both business and leadership development
- Designed for entrepreneurs at all stages—whether launching, formalizing, or scaling their ventures
- Delivered through a combination of expert-led instruction, mentorship, and peer support
Core Curriculum Areas
- Business Fundamentals: Legal structure, operations, compliance, and planning
- Financial Literacy: Budgeting, pricing, cash flow management, and capital readiness
- Marketing & Customer Engagement: Branding, messaging, sales strategy, and digital presence
- Leadership & Mindset: Vision-setting, productivity, confidence, and personal growth principles
Participant Benefits
- Individualized Mentorship from experienced business professionals
- Interactive Learning Environment that encourages collaboration and accountability
- Practical Tools and Templates ready for immediate use in real business operations
- Connection to Resources including funding opportunities, business services, and partner organizations
- Supportive Community of fellow entrepreneurs and mentors committed to growth
Our Mission
To support the development of sustainable, resilient businesses that:
- Drive income and employment opportunities
- Promote long-term economic mobility
- Contribute to community vitality and empowerment
Who This is For
- Emerging and early-stage entrepreneurs
- Individuals transitioning from traditional employment to business ownership
- Returning citizens and second-chance entrepreneurs
- Owners of community-based businesses seeking to grow and stabilize
Our Distinct Approach
- Integration of Personal Development: Because strong businesses are built by strong individuals
- Access and Inclusion: We center the needs of underserved founders and remove common barriers to entry
- Community-Centered Outcomes: We measure success not only in profit, but in impact
A Platform for Transformation
The Urban Business Academy is not only a training program—it is a capacity-building initiative designed to help participants:
- Clarify their vision and goals
- Build viable and fundable business models
- Develop leadership competencies
- Contribute meaningfully to the economic health of their communities
Urban Business Academy℠
The Urban Business Academy equips entrepreneurs and small business owners with strategic training, mentorship, and access to essential business networks. Through a comprehensive 12-week curriculum, participants gain skills in business development, finance, marketing, and leadership. Our mission is to foster sustainable businesses that strengthen economic mobility and community prosperity.
Urban Excellence Institute℠
Urban Excellence Institute delivers world-class personal growth, leadership development, and coaching through an experiential, cohort-based learning model. Built on today’s most powerful personal development strategies and technologies, our programs are culturally relevant to the unique strengths and experiences of urban communities.
The Institute also houses the International Coach Federation (ICF)-accredited Urban Excellence Coach Academy, equipping individuals to lead, coach, and create transformational impact.
Urban Leadership Forums℠
Urban Leadership Forum champions excellence in civic engagement, public policy leadership, and political participation within urban communities. Through experiential learning, cohort-based training, and mentorship, we prepare emerging and established leaders to shape policy, drive advocacy, and build equitable systems of change. Our programs are culturally responsive, equipping leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to create lasting impact in public life.
Urban Philanthropy Network℠
Urban Philanthropy Network cultivates nonprofit and philanthropic leadership within urban communities through experiential, cohort-based programs. Our flagship initiative, Launch & Lead, is a year-long program that equips emerging founders to launch 501(c)(3) organizations, promote their work, raise sustainable funding, and maintain legal and regulatory compliance. We prepare changemakers to lead impactful, resilient organizations that drive lasting community transformation.
Urban Health Initiative℠
Urban Health Initiative is a community-based Health Accelerator designed to elevate wellness outcomes in urban communities. Participants engage in interactive wellness labs built on the 8 Foundational Habits of High-Performance Health, including sleep and recovery, nutrition, mobility, brain performance, fitness, emotional resilience, and holistic self-care. We equip individuals to optimize energy, resilience, and well-being for leadership, business, and everyday life.
Urban Housing Solutions℠
Urban Housing Solutions develops innovative strategies to help housing-insecure individuals and families, including the fastest-growing affected population—Black women over 60—secure and sustain stable homes. We advance affordable housing projects, co-living and co-housing models, and themed housing with supportive curriculum. Our mission is to reimagine housing through collaboration, creativity, and empowerment, fostering long-term stability, dignity, and thriving urban communities.
Urban Youth
Leadership Academy℠
Urban Youth Leadership Development Academy equips young leaders with the skills, mindset, and tools to thrive in today’s world. Through a culturally responsive, cohort-based program, youth engage in leadership training, resiliency building, life skills development, educational enrichment, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and positive self-expression. We prepare the next generation to lead with confidence, creativity, and purpose in their communities and beyond.
Urban Church &
Community Alliance℠
Urban Church & Community Alliance℠ trains and equips church and faith-based leaders to expand their impact within their congregations and across the broader community. Through culturally responsive, cohort-based leadership development, we provide practical tools, strategies, and support to drive ministry growth, community engagement, and social transformation. The Alliance also houses the Christian Coaching Academy, which trains leaders in coaching techniques designed to strengthen Christian growth, leadership, witness, and influence both inside and outside the church. We believe the local church is not just a place of worship—it is a catalyst for lasting change in urban communities.
