1: What is the goal of the UEP?

2: Who are the UEP Founders?

3: What is each Founder contributing?

4: In which cities will the pilot centers be located?

5: How will the UEP centers work?

6: What is the specific focus of the UEP centers?

7: Does the initiative target only urban & minority businesses?

8: What gap in services is this initiative filling?

9: What is role of corporations, government and private foundations in each of the UEP centers?

10: Who will staff the UEP centers?

11: Who is providing financial support for the centers?

1: What is the goal of the UEP? Top

The goal of the UEP is to expand minority business nationwide, particularly in historically neglected or economically underserved urban areas.  The aim is to create a network of urban entrepreneurship through public-private collaboration.

2: Who are the UEP Founders? Top

President Bush announced his support for this initiative in July 2004 following nearly a year of development between the White House National Economic Council (NEC),  the National Urban League (NUL), the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and the Business Roundtable.  NUL President Marc Morial is Chairman of the UEP.

3: What is each Founder contributing? Top

The NUL will connect local economic development resources to the local UEP Centers.  The Kauffman Foundation will guide and monitor the coaching and training programs, drawing on its extensive experience in entrepreneurship.  Business Roundtable and member CEOs will direct private sector standards of business performance and create partnerships between large firms and urban entrepreneurs, including mentoring and the identification of corporate contacts and private sector contracting opportunities.

4: In which cities will the pilot centers be located? Top


The first center was opened in Kansas City on July 18, 2005. Seven more pilot Centers have been established in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Baltimore, and New Orleans.

5: How will the UEP centers work? Top

The UEP Centers are created to guide urban business entrepreneurs, particularly minorities, through the plethora of private sector and federal government resources available to expand minority-owned firms.  Each center will market its services throughout designated areas.  Once entrepreneurs have expressed an interest, UEP staff will conduct a pre-assessment of the firm’s capabilities and make a needs determination.  The businesses will be placed in the appropriate educational/mentoring tracks – procurement, technical assistance, financing, or coaching.

6: What is the specific focus of the UEP centers? Top

The Centers will assess and enhance the capabilities of urban entrepreneurs, particularly minorities.  Additionally the Centers will provide information about resources regarding financing, technical assistance, and contracting with government agencies and private industry.

7: Does the initiative target only urban & minority businesses? Top

While this initiative targets urban and minority businesses and entrepreneurs in distressed communities, any qualifying entrepreneur located near a center will be welcomed and served according to our capacity.

8: What gap in services is this initiative filling? Top

While several programs exist to support minority businesses, there are none that address the targeted audience of the UEP nationally.  Overall, the UEP will provide an intensive educational program based on intrusive mentoring, and UEP will identify and organize the marketplace of resources available to those it serves, including basic financial literacy, how to prepare for and respond to capital needs, and how to work with others in the private sector and respond to federal and other procurement opportunities.

9: What is role of corporations, government and private foundations in each of the
UEP centers? Top

For the first time, these major structures of national life are coming together to declare minority enterprise a national priority.  They will provide resources, standards and commitment to help make the opportunity for entrepreneurship to succeed.

10: Who will staff the UEP centers? Top

The Centers will be served by professionals with extensive and proven experience in small business development.  We anticipate that each UEP center will engage (1) a Center Director to supervise the overall site operations and production, (2) a Center Manager to handle the transition of minority firms through the UEP Program, and (3) numerous Business Development Specialists who will handle the daily provision of direct technical assistance.

11: Who is providing financial support for the centers? Top

Some UEP Founders are providing initial financial support for the Centers.  They are also being joined by local groups and businesses.