Home
About Us
BECOME
District Development
Financial Services
Stay Connected
Twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin

BECOME

LEADING

BECOME Accelerator

Welcome to Urban Impact’s business education services, where we empower Black businesses and entrepreneurs to BECOME their best selves. Our business educational services offer three distinct cohorts designed to meet you where you are and propel you to new heights, now with the addition of a 4th cohort focused on our youth program. Let’s explore the journey: 

BECOME

BECOME

BECOME 1.0 (Lead) - Building Foundations

Embark on a 12-week transformative experience tailored for business owners seeking foundational assistance. Guided by our Start Spark curriculum, Lead is facilitated by experts and a dedicated coach. Over this period, participants delve into crucial aspects of business formation, messaging, branding, marketing, operations, and financial understanding. The goal at the end of LEAD is for business owners to have a solid framework for their business plan, ready to be applied strategically.

BECOME 2.0 (Build) - Scaling Established Businesses and Systems

Each participant will be paired with a facilitator and coach who will provide personal guidance. By the end of the program, participants will be eligible for special incentives and invited to participate in a pitch-style competition.

BECOME 3.0 (Grow) - Legacy and Succession

Tailored for business owners with a decade or more of active business, BE BHM Grow is a 6-week program focused on growth and succession planning. Delve into a targeted curriculum addressing the nuances of succession in a dynamic and changing economy. Beyond learning curves, participants are equipped with strategies for capital growth aligned with economic patterns. The goal at the end of GROW is a concrete and applicable succession plan, ready for the next 5-10 years.

B.I.G CAP – Youth Entrepreneurship Program

B.I.G. CAP (Building and Investing in Generational Capital) Youth Entrepreneurship Program is designed to equip Birmingham’s youth with the tools and knowledge to become the next generation of entrepreneurs, showing them alternative paths to success beyond traditional higher education. In partnership with The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and powered by Prosper, this program focuses on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, establishing business acumen, and building a safe and intentional community. Participants will gain practical skills in business education, leadership, and innovation, all while emphasizing the importance of creating lasting generational wealth. There is no cost to participate. 

Whether you’re laying the foundation, scaling an established business, or planning for the future, Urban Impact’s BECOME program is your catalyst for success. Join us on this journey and unlock the full potential of your business.

Ready to take the next step? Fill out the form below!

Get Started

Already accepted into the BECOME program? Secure your spot by making your payment below.

Make a Class Payment

BECOME

Alumni

blkLSTed

blkLSTed is Birmingham’s unapologetically black business & nonprofit directory
View the Directory
Submit Your Business To The Directory

FAQS

FAQS

HOW IS BECOME DESIGNED?

The BECOME Accelerator is an intensive 12-week program created to empower and launch business owners toward growth. We understand the demands of everyday life, which is why our schedule is designed to accommodate working professionals—no prior entrepreneurial experience required. 

Each week, participants will meet in-person on Tuesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM, engaging with peers and expert facilitators to work through course material tailored to their business needs. Our curriculum is backed by nationally recognized business development frameworks from LAUNCH and StartSpark, ensuring participants gain proven strategies to build sustainable businesses. While we provide a structured curriculum, we recognize that every business is unique. Our facilitators play a key role in adapting lessons to fit the specific challenges and goals of each entrepreneur. 

Beyond education, BECOME fosters community and collaboration, allowing participants to learn from one another, navigate business challenges together, and gain insights from successful Black entrepreneurs in the region. 

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A BUSINESS IDEA?

We ask that you wait until you have inspiration and a business idea before you join our accelerator program. Due to us moving quickly and focusing on tangible outcomes, those without a business idea won’t take much out of this program. Once you have a business idea that inspires you enough to make it your life’s work, we are here to help.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?

All participants are asked to pay a $125 Attendance and coursework fee, which is basically asking for “skin in the game.” We put a lot of time and effort into creating these experiences and want you to share that passion, offering completely free classes has resulted in a lot of registrations and poor attendance. We’re hoping this gives yet one more reason to attend the full length of classes.

WILL EVERYONE BE EXPECTED TO START A BUSINESS?

Absolutely not! We’ve helped many potential business owners avoid catastrophic failure and personal financial loss by thoroughly vetting ideas before major financial or time investments. Our goal is to reduce your risk and improve your likelihood of success, and sometimes, that means NOT starting a business that isn’t poised to take-off. We would love to see all participants successfully start their own businesses, but each person is different, and each business idea is unique. We are here to support, guide and ultimately want to see the best for our community which includes YOU.

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT BUSINESS?

Not a problem, we can help! This program is designed to help regular people explore and establish businesses in Birmingham- specifically the historical civil rights district. We do ask that you have a business idea that you want to explore, but other than that, we are simply looking for motivated individuals with a passion to follow and a desire to create generational wealth for themselves, their community, and their family.

NATIONAL PARTNERS

Urban Impact, Inc.

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Birmingham, AL.
Twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin
© 2022 Urban Impact, Inc. All rights reserved.

1721 4th Avenue North, Suite 102, Birmingham, AL 35203
Email: info@urbanimpactbirmingham.org
Phone: (205) 328-1850

View Open Positions
Site by DawnG Media

Stay Connected!

Join our mailing list to stay in the know on upcoming events and programs in the district!