Urban Leadership Forums℠
Our Initiatives
Urban Enterprise organizes its work through eight key community-driven verticals:
The Urban Leadership Network is a dynamic initiative dedicated to advancing civic engagement, public policy leadership, and political participation in historically underrepresented urban communities. Through cohort-based training, hands-on experiences, and cross-sector mentorship, the Forum cultivates principled, informed, and action-oriented leaders who are committed to driving systemic change and promoting equity in public life.
Program Overview
- Experiential leadership development program rooted in real-world advocacy and public affairs
- Equips participants to understand, influence, and lead within policy, civic, and political systems
- Designed for both emerging and seasoned leaders seeking to deepen their impact
Core Curriculum Areas
- Civic Education & Engagement: Understanding government, civic responsibility, voting rights
- Public Policy & Advocacy: Policy analysis, legislative processes, issue framing, coalition building
- Leadership Development: Ethics, public speaking, consensus building, and strategic influence
- Equity and Justice Frameworks: Exploring race, power, and systemic inequality in leadership
Participant Benefits
- Cohort-Based Learning that encourages peer collaboration and shared leadership experiences
- Direct Access to Mentors from government, nonprofit, advocacy, and political sectors
- Practical Tools and Frameworks for shaping policy, mobilizing communities, and leading initiatives
- Field Exposure and Networking with civic leaders, elected officials, and community partners
- Opportunities for Civic Impact through capstone projects, campaigns, and public service
Our Mission
To cultivate a new generation of civic and policy leaders who:
- Represent and respond to the needs of urban communities
- Engage in ethical, informed, and inclusive leadership
- Drive advocacy, equity, and transformative change across systems
Who We Serve
- Young professionals, organizers, and advocates entering public life
- Mid-career leaders seeking a deeper understanding of systems and influence
- Elected officials, commissioners, and board members looking to expand their civic toolkit
- Community stakeholders ready to lead with purpose and impact
Distinctive Approach
- Culturally Responsive Curriculum: Grounded in the lived realities of communities of color
- Experiential Learning: Participants engage in simulations, policy labs, and real-time civic action
- Mentorship-Driven: Ongoing support from civic leaders and policy experts
- Action-Oriented Outcomes: Every participant leaves equipped to lead change
A Platform for Public Leadership
The Urban Leadership Forum is more than a training—it is a leadership pipeline and movement that:
- Elevates diverse voices in government and advocacy
- Builds bridges between community and policy decision-making
- Equips everyday leaders to shape a more just and equitable society
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.
