Facilitating the expansion, growth, and development of family business and entrepreneurship in Urban America and especially Metropolitan Atlanta is the compelling vision of the Urban Enterprise Initiative. The multi-dimensional Initiative was establish to train, educate and encourage family businesses, entrepreneurs, and professional service providers. The strategic plan is to expand the economic opportunities for Urban Americans and to be responsive to the market. Small enterprise, entrepreneurship, and family business are the engines that drive America's economy. Most recently, successful entrepreneurs and family businesses have created most new jobs.

During the 1990's, more than 700,00 new American firms were incorporated per year, compared to only 50,000 new firms in the 1950s. In a National Gallup Survey more than 70% of high school students expressed a desire to start their own businesses. More than 50% of the adults surveyed also indicated a tremendous interest in starting businesses of their own. This is strong evidence that people are pursuing self-sufficiency by starting and building companies and family businesses. Furthermore, entrepreneurship classes and family business programs are offered at colleges and universities nationwide. Academic journals and popular magazines now focus on entrepreneurship, small enterprise and family business.

The Urban Enterprise Initiative is dedicated to expanding and accelerating opportunities for entrepreneurship and family business, through which many Urban Americans can achieve their version of the American Dreazn. The Initiative contributes to this mission by serving as a catalyst, as a conduit for: stimulating entrepreneurial and family business leadership; identifying, teaching, researching, and disseminating the prerequisite skills and values that enable entrepreneurs to succeed; introducing students and young adults to the excitement and opportunities of entrepreneurship and family business; and encouraging others to support small enterprise, family business, and entrepreneurship. To complete this mission the Initiative seeks funding and support from multiple sources.

[RETURN]