Entrepreneurship and Wealth Building

Creating pathways to success. For everyone.

The Urban League of Rochester's Entrepreneurship and Wealth Building Division supports minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. We help entrepreneurs and small business owners launch and/or grow their businesses through classroom instruction and one-on-one technical assistance.

We also assist dislocated workers and individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as aspiring small businesspersons in the start-up, development, and/or expansion of independent, self-owned, and micro-enterprise ventures.

We are an Entrepreneurship Assistance Center

The Urban League is one of more than twenty Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EAC) throughout New York State and operates through the Urban League’s Business Development Center. EAC encourages the start-up of new businesses and supports the continuous development and expansion of existing businesses. The Business Development Center provides comprehensive assistance to owners and prospective owners of microenterprises, with a particular focus on serving minority group members, women, dislocated workers, and individuals with a disability. The Center’s concentration on microenterprise start-ups and existing businesses owned by these targeted groups is what distinguishes it from other providers of business development services. We are one of 20 Centers in NY State that is funded by New York State's Empire State Development. The Business Development Center also receives the generous support from other organizations as well.

Meet Our Team

William Whitley - Program Coordinator, Reimagine Program (Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Workforce Preparation and Success Strategies)
LaTeshia McCloud - Director, ROC Women’s Business Center
Mary Simmons - Business Program Coordinator
Abby Van Camp - Business Development Specialist, ROC Women’s Business Center
Karen Rice - Program Coordinator - Outreach Specialist
Donna Jones - Business Development Director

Programs & Services

Our Business Development Division offers services and support in the following categories to Rochester small business owners.

Reimagine Program (Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Workforce Preparation and Success Strategies)
Community Business Academy
(12-Week Cohort Based Program)
ROC Women’s Business Center
MWBE Certification

Individualized Business Coaching
Business Financing and Business Credit
Business Licensing

Leadership Training
Executive Business Mentoring
Marketing and Contracting
Subject Matter-Led Workshops

For more information, please contact Business Development at busdev@ulr.org.

Our Impact

Major Supporters

Supporters

Business Development Testimonials

“Seeing so many people believe and be supportive of what we do makes me want to make sure that I’m doing everything on my end to not let them down. That support means the world because at the end of the day, business is tough — especially in COVID where restaurants are going out left and right. Urban League has been a great resource and very supportive and encouraging. They want to see us win and succeed.”

- Bubby’s BBQ

“Urban League has played a role in my success... It’s important that Urban League supports the community and businesses because we don’t really have anyone else to really look to for the help that we may need. Urban League is putting themselves out there to give help to those who need it.”

- Diamon Renee Academy & Dance Studio

“Rochester is our hometown...To be able to bring our vision back home and make it everything that it’s becoming is very special to us. Our mission statement here at Urban Euphoria is with gratitude, we celebrate each season, all occasions, with everyone. It is great to have the support of Urban League and to be able to partner with them. They’re a staple in the community and in the business community."

- Urban Euphoria LLC

“The Groom Room is a community-based business... I want people to come here and feel comfortable and feel at home. Anything they can do for their self-care here, we’re open to it...To have Urban League spotlight us, gives us a different platform and different people to see us in a different light.”

- The Groom Room Men’s Spa & Lounge

“I consider Urban League a partner because if I go with them with questions or I’m in need of support — if they can’t support me directly — they’re going to find that answer and make it available to small businesses. Our goal is to be able to hire more individuals from our local community. We want to produce more products and highlight more Black-owned businesses.”

- Honey B Home & Essentials LLC