Center for Entrepreneurship
Startup. Stabilize. Scale.
The Urban League serves as the front door for current and aspiring Black business owners who are seeking to start, stabilize, or expand their business. By providing accessible entry points and vital support, the Urban League is dedicated to fostering success at every stage of business development.
The key components of starting, growing, and most importantly, managing a business involve assembling all the necessary elements that form the foundation of a sustainable enterprise. The Center for Entrepreneurship guides business owners through understanding and applying essential business concepts such as Infrastructure, Operations, Finances, and Marketing. With strategic tips and expert guidance, entrepreneurs are empowered to develop and execute plans that help them achieve their business goals.
Services Offered
The Center for Entrepreneurship provides a robust suite of services designed to support business owners at every step. These offerings include:
In-person workshops, virtual group learning sessions, and digital modules provide business owners with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
Business owners are supported in preparing revenue and expenses, pricing, setting up budgets, and achieving capital readiness through personalized financial guidance.
Business owners are supported in preparing revenue and expenses, pricing, setting up budgets, and achieving capital readiness through personalized financial guidance.
The Center connects entrepreneurs to accelerators, sources of capital, revenue generation opportunities, professional service providers, and networking groups, helping them to tap into a broader business ecosystem.
Taking Care of Business Tuesdays
Taking Care of Business Tuesdays is a monthly education series by the Center for Entrepreneurship that features a presentation on various business topics followed by the opportunity to have a micro session immediately after with a coach for tips on how to apply to your business.
Topics covered:
- Business Model Canvas
- Marketing Essentials
- Business Banking
- Smart Goals
Sessions are held in person at the Louisville Urban League office.
Ben Richmond Small Business Development Grant
The Ben Richmond Small Business Development Grant was named in honor of Benjamin K. Richmond, who served as President and CEO of the League from 1987 to 2015. He was a significant advocate for economic equality and educational attainment in Louisville. The endowment established in 2023 will support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs participating in Black Business programs and training affiliated with the League.
The inaugural Ben Richmond Small Business Development Grant was awarded to Nathanial Moreland, owner of All Gold Customs, in December 2024.
A Path Forward Ecosystem
As a result of the A Path Forward collaborative, the Center for Entrepreneurship launched in 2022. Since the launch, a priority focus has been identifying the assets, such as technical assistance, access to capital, and revenue generation, and coordinating these resources to support Black businesses in particular. The Center, along with the ecosystem partners, has developed pathways to navigate key resources of anchor institutions as well as other technical assistance programs, including the wider business support ecosystem and traditional startup communities. This intentional coordination has led to less duplication, greater alignment, and, ultimately, more efficient resource layering for business owners.Â
Key partnerships include:
Join the Movement
Professional services providers, organizations, and individuals are invited to join our network to assist small business clients. Service providers are prioritized for paid engagements, and all community members are invited to provide free or reduced-fee work. Companies that provide access to capital via grants, loans, and equity investments are particularly encouraged to connect with us. If you are interested in joining our network, contact us at development@lul.org.
The Center for Entrepreneurship support at the Louisville Urban League is partly sponsored by the Louisville Metro Government.
