The Urban League of Rochester is shifting the economic power dynamic in the Rochester community with the launch of their latest business development program — PowerShift: Building Small Business. 

To create a true power shift and build a more equitable community, the Urban League of Rochester partnered with bobrochester.com and launched a directory on May 3 to spotlight minority, women, and veteran-owned small businesses in Monroe County as part of the PowerShift: Building Small Business Program. By encouraging business owners to list their businesses in the free directory, the Urban League is creating a one-stop-shop for the community to support these businesses.

The PowerShift: Building Small Business Program is hosted under the Urban League’s Business Development Division and offers local business owners a platform to share their story, services, products, and other offerings — amplifying their visibility and presence within the community. Five local selected businesses were identified for the first round of this annual program:

• Terrell Mclean, Owner of Bubby’s BBQ — bubbybbqroc.com

• Shamar Floyd, Owner of Diamon Renee Academy & Dance Studio

• Jnicolle Glover & Charletta Broome, Owners of Urban Euphoria LLC — ueroc.com

• Tonia and Marquis Butler, Owners of Honey B Home & Essentials LLC — honeybstore.com

• Monique Chatman, Owner of The Groom Room Men’s Spa & Lounge — groomroommensspa.com

The division’s mission is to support entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to launch or grow their businesses through providing resources and education, classroom instruction, and one-on-one technical assistance and mentorship. 

The PowerShift: Building Small Business Program increases the visibility of often overlooked businesses in our community by sharing their stories and services with the Urban League network and broader community as a whole. PowerShift empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners and encourages the community to support local small businesses. The five selected businesses for Spring of 2021 also received a photoshoot and video shoot from the Urban League of Rochester.

“We all must shift our focus and support minority-owned businesses,” said Dr. Seanelle Hawkins, President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester. “ Minority-led small business contributions to our community are invaluable, and the Urban League is proud to help minority entrepreneurs grow their businesses to improve economic vitality and close the wealth gap. When minority-owned businesses thrive, so does our community.”

The Urban League of Rochester has available resources, services, and programs that inform, support, accelerate, and amplify businesses throughout the community. Learn more about the PowerShift: Building Small Business Program at urbanleagueroc.org/powershift. 

To view or get your business listed on Urban League of Rochester’s Small Business Directory, visit urbanleagueroc.org/small-business-directory. 

For questions or more information about the program or the Business Development Division, please reach out to Chantz Miles at cmiles@ulr.org or (585) 325-6530 ext. 3047.

Questions and press inquiries may be directed to wrivera@ulr.org.