ABOUT US.

PHILOSOPHY

Communities prosper when local businesses are successful. At UBIZ, supporting small businesses means positioning entrepreneurs for opportunities of growth.

THE TEAM

  • Michael Obi

    President & CEO

  • William H. Parker

    Business Growth Institute’s Executive in Residence

  • Donna Dabs

    Executive in Residence

  • Alisa Jo Bray

    Director of Operations, Portfolio Management & Programs

  • Taunya Scruggs

    Office Administrator & Marketing Coordinator

  • We’re hiring

    Client & Program Coordinator

BOARD MEMBERS

  • Lonnie Coleman

    Owner
    Coleman Spohn

  • Lynnette Crenshaw

    Senior Relationship Manager Senior Vice President
    Key Private Bank

  • Brian Hall

    CEO
    Specialized Construction Inc.

  • Y'llon Herron

    Small Business
    Underwriter Leader Westfield

  • David Merkel

    Relationship Manager, Area Manager
    Chase

  • Marsha Mockabee

    President and CEO
    Urban League of Greater Cleveland

  • Michael Obi

    President and CEO
    UBIZ Venture Capital

MISSION

UBIZ Venture Capital (UVC) is a vehicle that has been strategically established to provide underserved or disadvantaged small businesses an opportunity to compete and grow in their industry. Intense pre-loan counseling and technical training that are aligned with access to capital are the core pillars of UBIZ service delivery model.

LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

  • Shashonna Duckworth

    Minority Business Assistance Center

  • Y’llon Herron

    Westfield

  • David Merkel

    Chase Bank

  • Marsha Mockabee

    Urban League of Greater Cleveland

  • Michael Obi

    UBIZ Venture Capital

  • Alton Tinker

    KeyBank

  • Felicia Townsend-Ivey

    Small Business Development Center