downtown columbus

Urban Business Connection

Expanding Opportunity. Strengthening Businesses. Building Community.

The Urban Business Connection is a collaborative initiative designed to support and elevate businesses across the Columbus Region through connections, resources, visibility, and business growth opportunities.


Program Overview


The Urban Business Connection is a program built on collaboration and partnership. Launched in 2021, in an effort to reach a broader network of the Columbus Region business community, the Columbus Chamber and Columbus Urban League combined efforts to grant free Chamber memberships to thirty black-owned businesses. With the support of the City of Columbus, the Columbus Chamber was able to renew and expand the program to 75 businesses in 2022, 100 businesses in 2023, and 105 businesses in 2024. Through this program, these businesses have access to a suite of services (including business connections, specialized consultations, research capabilities for targeted expansion, government advocacy, and member pricing at Chamber events), as well as expanded services in marketing and visibility in the Columbus community. With continued support we have been able to expand opportunities and increase impact among our small business community.

For more information on the Urban Business Connection program, please contact us here.


Urban Business Connection Members


* indicates second year in the program, ** indicates third year in the program


Videos Featuring Urban Business Connection Members



Cbuzz Podcasts Featuring Urban Business Connection Members


cbuzz: Shanika & Jomar Sheppard, Marlow’s Cheesesteaks and The Water Ice Shoppe, From Food Cart to Pivoting to Fast-Growing Brand

cbuzz: Andrea Wilkes, Columbus Urban League: The Ripple of Investment

cbuzz: Robert E. Lee III, Touchstone Hospitality: The Heart of Hospitality

cbuzz: Stephanie Matthews, A Tribe for Jazz: The Rhythm of Learning

cbuzz: Dawn Tyler Lee, Forrest Street Consulting: Connection, Community & Helping People Reach Their Full Potential

cbuzz: Tiffany Marr, Wemblr: Financial Literacy and the Younger Generation

cbuzz: Chef Jimmy Mitchell, Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the Culinary Industry

cbuzz: Juana Williams, J’s Sweet Treats & Wedding Cakes: It works if you work it

cbuzz: Tonya Kelly, MEd, Empower Our Youth Foundation: Advocating for Our Youth


Urban Business Connection in the News