ABOUT US
For the past 100 years, the New York Urban League has worked hard to help New Yorkers live the lives they deserve to lead. From landing living wage jobs with good benefits to putting our youth on the path to a fruitful educational career, or business sustainability, it’s the New York Urban League’s role to strengthen underserved communities, ensuring everybody has a seat at the table.
3+ Years
50+ Programs Administered
Over 1,600 Unique Registrants and growing
Expanded the SBSC audience to all five boroughs via virtual workshops and in person events.
Our Small Business SOLUTIONS Center is committed to cultivating entrepreneurship in greater New York City and beyond. Our philosophy is centered on anchoring locally and thinking globally. In addition to connecting entrepreneurs to resources required for success, we are also focused on promoting entrepreneurial ecosystems. The NYUL SBSC provides technical assistance, one-to-one business consulting, workshops, and events. If you are a business owner or ready to become an entrepreneur, stay connected to learn more about our dynamic programming.
PROGRAMMING
CORNERSTONE
B l a c k B u s i n e s s M a t t e r s - A n i n t e n s i v e 1 0 - w e e k B u s i n e s s P l a n
p r o g r a m t h a t h a s w e l c o m e d f o u r c o h o r t s ; t h e f i f t h c o h o r t w i l l
e x p e r i e n c e a n e n h a n c e d 1 2 - w e e k v e r s i o n .
P o p Y o u r P r o f i t - A v a l u a b l e r e s o u r c e f o r s i d e - p r e n e u r s ,
t r a n s f o r m i n g p o p - u p s i n t o p r o f i t a b l e v e n t u r e s i n j u s t 9 0 m i n u t e s .
P a r t i c i p a n t s i n f o o d m a r k e t s a n d e v e n t s l e a r n t o i d e n t i f y t h e i r
t a r g e t m a r k e t , c o l l a b o r a t e w i t h p r o d u c e r s , a n d e f f e c t i v e l y m a n a g e
t h e i r f i n a n c e s f o r m a x i m u m p r o f i t .
R e a d y , S e t , G o – 3 - P a r t S t a r t - U p S e r i e s - D e s i g n e d b y p a r t n e r s
f r o m t h e U S S m a l l B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n t o p r o v i d e s t a r t u p s
w i t h e s s e n t i a l g u i d a n c e .
G a m e P l a n - T o s u c c e e d , o n e m u s t p l a n . C l i e n t s a r e g u i d e d t o
s t r e a m l i n e t h e i r b u s i n e s s s t r a t e g i e s , m a n a g e e x p e c t a t i o n s , a n d
p l a n a c t i v i t i e s f o r t h e u p c o m i n g t w e l v e m o n t h s .
F i n a n c i a l S o u r c e s f o r S M B s - I n t r o d u c i n g v a r i o u s f u n d i n g o p t i o n s ,
f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l l o a n s t o f i n t e c h , t a i l o r e d t o d i f f e r e n t b u s i n e s s s t a g e s .
M o n e y M o n d a y s - A t h r e e - p a r t F i n a n c i a l S e r i e s c o v e r i n g t h e
e s s e n t i a l s s u c h a s t h e f i v e C ’ s o f c r e d i t , b u s i n e s s b a n k i n g , a n d
m o r e i n e n g a g i n g 9 0 - m i n u t e w o r k s h o p s .
1 - 1 O f f i c e H o u r s F r e e S M B C o n s u l t i n g - O f f e r i n g l i v e b u s i n e s s
c o n s u l t i n g t o b o t h n e w a n d e x p e r i e n c e d e n t r e p r e n e u r s t o a d d r e s s
t h e i r s p e c i f i c b u s i n e s s n e e d s .
PROGRAMMING
SPECIALTY
Community Navigator Pilot Program - NYUL's collaboration with the US SBA initiative that supports their programs and enhances their 1-1 consultation services
Back Office Initiative: NYUL assigns experts to aid small business owners in Finance, Marketing, Technology, Human Resources, and Business Management.
Grants Programs: NYUL provides grants to qualifying businesses based on criteria set by our grantor partners.
Mom-preneur: Entrepreneurs who are also mothers learn effective methods to balance their work and family lives.
Holiday Gift Guide: An annual guide showcasing products from Black makers.
Marketing May Series: A series of sessions guiding organizations through internal marketing processes, determining the company archetype, and budgeting for public relations and social media.
Spring Fling: Aspiring business owners undergo challenges to determine if entrepreneurship is a feasible dream.
Black Business Matters Summer Camp: An intensive six-week program focused on developing business plans.
Idea Shop: Hosted by Idea Manufacturer, this workshop serves as a foundation for creating a concise business model.
PITCH BLACK: A two-part pitch competition starting with a pitch clinic to help candidates deliver outstanding pitches.
PROGRAMMING
SPECIALTY
Meet Your Match: A Speed Networking Event similar to speed dating. Meet Your Match is the perfect evening for a graphics designer to meet the accountant of their dreams.
Christmas in July: A four-part program to get small business owners in shape for the upcoming holiday season.
JUNETEENTH-Standing On Business: Learning to become a link in the corporate supply chain.
Fashionably NYUL: A multi-part series for fashion-focused and consumer goods businesses.
Planning Retirement for Small Business Owners: The webinar introduces the SMB community to retirement savings options.
Are You Tricking or Treating Your Business?: This webinar aims to take the scary out of business and future proof operations for the enterprise businesses of tomorrow
She Works Hard for the Money: A day-long experience curated to inspire, energize, and empower women in business with workshops, wellness treatments, experiential activities and opportunities to network with fellow trailblazers
REACH
3+ Years
50+ Programs Administered
Over 1,600 Unique Registrants and growing
Expanded the SBSC audience to all five boroughs via virtual workshops and in person events.
SPRING FLING HIGHLIGHTS
March 2023
50 Attendees
Location: Home to Harlem
Expert Panel: Full-time, Side-Preneur, Ex-Preneur
Fireside Chat: AV Perking, Owner University of DOPE
Entrepreneur Self Discover Session
Lunch: She Cooks 3 - UP Grantee Winner
Is your flirtation with entrepreneurship an entanglement, or is it love?
For many, the idea of being their own boss is a romantic notion until it is time to do the work The Spring Fling workshop allows participants to take a personal inventory to assess their entrepreneurial prowess The half-day seminar kicks off with panelists sharing stories from the front line of business ownership; after lunch, we work through practical exercises, deep introspection, and discussion about separating the entrepreneurs and the serious side-preneurs from the talkers.
PITCH BLACK HIGHLIGHTS
August 2023
50 Attendees
Location: Home to Harlem
Expert Panel: Media, Small Business, Finance
Ten Contestants
Reception
The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease!
A two-part pitch competition that starts with a pitch clinic to help candidates deliver outstanding pitches, followed by Pitch Day. Up to 10 fearless business owners take the stage to see who takes home the prize.
PITCH BLACK HIGHLIGHTS
August 2024
100 Attendees
Location: Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel
Expert Panel: Transportation, Small Business, Finance, Technology, Government
Ten Contestants
Reception
The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease!
A two-part pitch competition that starts with a pitch clinic to help candidates deliver outstanding pitches, followed by Pitch Day. Up to 10 fearless business owners take the stage to see who takes home the prize.
MEET YOUR MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
August 2023
80 Attendees
Location: TD Bank Headquarters
Expert Panel: TD Bank Executive Team
Reception
Speed Dating: Will the perfect graphics artist find the dream accountant?
There's a new cupid in town; however, the matchmaking is on an economic level The Black small business community is often siloed, especially by borough. The NYUL SBSC hosted MEET YOUR MATCH, a speed networking event sponsored by TD Bank.
Business owners and representatives had five minutes to connect and discover new opportunities We hosted participants from various industries and disciplines to recycle dollars within the Black business community and spark growth.
MEET YOUR MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
August 2024
100+ Attendees
Location: TD Bank Headquarters
Expert Panel: TD Bank Executive Team
Reception
BINGO! : Will the perfect graphics artist find the dream accountant?
There's a new cupid in town; however, the matchmaking is on an economic level The Black small business community is often siloed, especially by borough The NYUL SBSC hosted MEET YOUR MATCH, a speed networking event sponsored by TD Bank.
Business owners and representatives downloaded a unique BINGO card to smartphones and moved around the room making meaningful connections while watching scores on the leaderboard. The diverse participants maintained a competitive edge and aimed to recycle dollars within the Black business community and spark growth.
SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY HIGHLIGHTS
October 2024
150+ Attendees
Location: Home to Harlem
Expert Panels - Experiential Activities - Wellness - Food - Sisterhood
...so, you better treat her right.
The New York Urban League (NYUL) Small Business SOLUTIONS Center invites women entrepreneurs to attend the groundbreaking event She Works Hard for the Money where wellness meets business with a heavy dose of sisterhood! Powered by NYUL Small Business SOLUTIONS Center, UPS, TD Bank, and the UP Foundation, this day-long experience will inspire, energize, and empower women in business with workshops, wellness treatments, and opportunities to network with fellow trailblazers. She Works Hard… is a space for women to connect, rejuvenate, and share experiences that help them thrive in business and life.
NYUL SBSC MARKETING
