Harlem Business Alliance

TDX/MTA - In conjunction with TDX Construction Corporation and the NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA) Small Business Development Program (SBDP), HBA addresses the needs and long-term sustainability of small growth potential entrepreneurs by providing business management support, using a training while doing approach, to minority and women owned firms that have a vision to succeed, the ambition to try, and the need for hands on assistance. HBA assisted over 50 businesses that have since been awarded contracts.

Certified Development Financial Institution (CDFI)- The CDFI Funds program purpose is to promote economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to CDFIs. The award was to build the capacity of for-profit and non-profit community based lending organizations to serve rural and urban low income people and communities across the nation that lack adequate access to affordable financial products and services . HBA was awarded an opportunity to expand our services and offerings to prepare for CDFI certification.

FINANCIAL LITERACY - NYC DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES: HBAs one-on-one technical assistance builds on its workshops and includes, but is not limited to, helping entrepreneurs with strategic and financial planning, utilizing technology, branding and social media. HBA presented/co-hosted 40 virtual workshops, and spent 300 hours on 49 clients (an average of 6 hrs per client). Individual consultations were conducted, oftentimes 6 days a week.

MWBE LEADERSHIP ASSOCIATION - NYC DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES: HBA delivered extensive business education workshops and one-to-one technical assistance, MWBE (Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise) certification assistance, and financial education workshops. HBA helped 102 businesses to become certified MWBE to not only compete for and perform on City contracts, but to grow their businesses as well. HBA provided over 250 hours of technical assistance to over 30 entrepreneurs and small businesses via one-on-one counseling and technical assistance on starting a business, discussing the elements of a business plan, advising on marketing and business plan strategies and other relevant topics. HBA also hosted networking events, pop up experiences for product-based businesses, and connected businesses to partnering organizations.

DYCD - With funding support from the Department of Youth and Community Development, HBA successfully delivered intensive business education workshops and one-on-one assistance to residents of Harlem eager to acquire skills in business plan development, customer marketing, and financial statement management. More than 50 entrepreneurs participated in either in-person or virtual workshops. After completion, entrepreneurs presented their business concepts to a panel of judges for a chance to secure seed funding and co-working space provided by HBA. As a result, these businesses have since crafted robust business plans and implemented growth strategies.

UPPER MANHATTAN EMPOWERMENT ZONE(UMEZ): HBA was contracted by UMEZ to promote its Hybrid Microloan Program and to provide technical assistance to loan applicants and to upper Manhattan small businesses seeking to become certified (or re-certified)Minority /Women Business Enterprises with the City of New York.

Office of Cannabis Management(OCM)- Harlem Business Alliance and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) partnered to facilitate dialogue amongst minority business owners in New York State. The listening sessions were aimed to uplift the lived experience of our members and partner organizations to inform the states cannabis policies and the overall social and economic equity plan. These efforts help contribute to OCMs goal of 50 percent of adult-use cannabis licenses owned by qualifying social and economic equity applicants.