Check out what we have been up to ICYMI:

HBA’s New Volunteer Program

• WNBC News Segment on Grandma’s Place and HBA’s Volunteer Program - “Harlem Shop Revived by Social Media”
• NY Daily News Article “Angels help owner Dawn Harris-Martine keep Grandma’s Place in business”

Promotional Alliance of Harlem

• DNAInfo.com Article “Supergroup Forms to Promote Harlem Businesses”
• NY Beacon  WHAT’S GOING ON, Page 17
• Official Press Release Key Harlem Community and Business Organizations Join Forces to Form Promotional Alliance of Harlem (PAH) with Goal of Wider Promotion of Harlem’s Business and Entertainment Community

HBA and Cove Lounge

• We helped get Cove Lounge featured on a full episode of  The Bobby Flay Project (working title) soon to air on the Food Network! The production company, Rock Shrimp Productions, reached out to us looking for a restaurant that was set to open soon in Harlem, naturally we thought of Alyah at Cove and sent them her way.
• The Cove is officially open to the public now! Photo from the May 30th Grand Opening:
  

  Owner Alyah Horsford-Sidberry poses on red carpet at Cove Grand Opening

HBA News

• NY Daily News “HBA contest helps would-be entrepreneurs” 
• NY Daily News “HBA chief: Spiraling rents are biz’s biggest enemy”
• Our Business Plan Competition is in full swing! Apply here

General Membership Meeting, May 17th

• Our breakfast meeting was attended by top NYC’s leaders: NYC Comptroller John Liu, City Councilman Robert Jackson, and City Councilwoman Inez Dickens
• Discussed NYC MWBE contracting updates, statistics, and community frustrations
• Photos from the breakfast:

Members enjoy breakfast at Sylvia’s

NYC Comptroller speaks to HBA membership about MWBE Contract Reporting and Status

HBA supports #IncubateNYC

• #IncubateNYC won the Turnstone furniture competition! They will receive a new office space worth $25,000!
• NY Daily News “Harlem-based incubator wins big in nationwide contest, sez prize will help other small businesses grow”
• Photos from the celebration:

#IncubateNYC with Turnstone team

#IncubateNYC Team

HBA Exec. Dir., Regina Smith and other #IncubateNYC supporters

1. Free Columbia Community Business Program (CCBP) (If you have any questions about this program, please do not hesitate to contact Marjorie R. Orcel-Cozart by e-mail at ccbp@gsb.columbia.edu):  Application Deadline June 4th

2. “8 Crowdfunding Websites That Will Help You Raise Funds!”  youngentrepreneur.com

3. Links and notes from April 16 NYC GIS meet up:  NYC Data Info

4. NYC Open Data:  Site

5. “Beyond Facebook: How Small Businesses Can Use Visual Marketing to Build Brand” SmallBizTechnology.com

6. “The Perils of Social Coupon Campaigns”  MITSloan

7. “The Top 10 Rookie Mistakes for Entrepreneurs”  NYT Small Biz

8. “Business Formation: 3 Mistakes Online Entrepreneurs Make”  Rachel Rogers Law

9. “3 Rules for Successful Crowdfunding”  Entrepreneur.com

10. Website that aggregates social media services:  Soc.dir.com

The Maysles Cinema’s Outdoor Live Music and Film Series

Lost in the City: A Short Film Project

It’s that time of the year again! HBA’s Annual Business Plan Competition is back to award one Harlem business a $5,000 prize. The rules are the same a previous years; you must be 18 or older and a legal resident/US citizen, and live above 110th Street with an interest in opening a start-up business OR own an existing business in Upper Manhattan. If you fit these requirements, you should definitely apply! Step 1: Come to our information session.

We are holding an information session on Wednesday, April 18th from 6:30pm -7:30pm at HCDC’s office in the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building (163 West 125th Street, 17th floor). See you there!

The town is a buzzing, there is a new cultural destination blossoming right here in Harlem. My Image Studios (MIST), created by Roland Laird, Carlton Brown and  HBA’s own Chairman, Walter Edwards, will feature a world-class restaurant, a sophisticated lobby and outdoor bar, and three multi-purpose theaters that can convert into a large banquet hall. There are plans for all types of cultural programming; from nightly live entertainment to dance parties to galas. So far they have a web page up where you can sign up for their newsletter and click through to their Facebook page: http://myimagestudios.com/ . I can’t wait to see more!

Social Media Week is here! With tons of events going on around town, it’s hard to choose where to go. Lucky for you, if you haven’t already registered for anything there are still some events open. I have gone through the list and choosen a few interesting events this week:

Meet The Afropolitans: Digital Media + Culture In Africa

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1291

Total Beauty Media Group Digital Salon Series: Insights and Predictions on Women’s Buying Behavior

http://www.totalbeauty.com/live (You can watch this one LIVE Online)
http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1788

Social Media Week at Digitas — Social Commerce: The Next Step
http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1935

How To Market Your Film Using Social Media
http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1783

Under30CEO15: Social Media Week Entrepreneur Matchmaking
http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1413

Social Media Action Camp

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=2123

We all have Influence Somewhere: The Next Great Social Media Transformation

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=2244

Nonprofits and Social Media: A Perfect Solution

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1867

Using Social Media in the Fashion Industry: Fashion #560chat

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1877

The New Role Models: Chefs, Cooks, Bloggers & You — An Interview with Amanda Hesser, Robyn O’Brien & Bun Lai, followed by Who is Kale’s PR Agent & What Dictates a Food Trend? Panel Debate

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1408

The Freelance Revolution: Independent Worker Collaboration & Innovation Through Online Communities

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1404

GAME/WORLD: The New Collaborative Community

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1903

Let’s Get Ready to Tumblr: Building community by reimagining and redistributing your content

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=2065

Left Brain Meets Right Brain – The Blueprints for a Sophisticated Social Marketing Campaign

http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=2004

The Harlem Business Alliance (HBA) is proud to announce the winners of its Third Annual Business Plan Competition.

Business plan submissions were reviewed by members of the Judging Committee and narrowed down to four finalists. On October 25, the finalists made their presentations to the Judging Committee, and the two winners were selected. The grand prize was awarded to Precious Williams of Curvy Girlz Lingerie and the second prize was awarded to Christina Brown of Jade’s Haven.

Curvy Girlz Lingerie creates and designs trendy lingerie for full-figured women. With a lack of options for curvy women, Precious Williams will bring up-to-date fashion with the needed support to plus-sized women. Ms. Williams looks to open up a brick and mortar store in Harlem and sell her goods online.

The second place winner is Christina Brown of Jade’s Haven, a lifestyle concept store boutique.  Her store will offer trendy apparel, showcase emerging artists and have an exclusive members-only lounge. Ms. Brown plans to provide an intimate shopping experience with excellent customer service.

Regina L. Smith, HBA’s Executive Director said, “This year’s applications were varied and improved. The judges faced a tough decision in choosing the two winners, Precious Williams and Christina Brown. HBA is poised to support the winners and entrants to reach their goals.”

The competition’s participants needed to meet the following requirements; be at least 18 years old and a legal resident or U.S. citizen; live in Upper Manhattan and have an interest in establishing a for-profit start up business in Harlem; or be an owner of an operating for-profit business located in Upper Manhattan with maximum annual gross revenues of $500,000.

This competition provides the grand prize winner with $5,000. The second place winner will receive personal consultation sessions with celebrated strategist to the Stars, Karen Taylor Bass, The PR Expert.

If you are interested in receiving one-on-one assistance with your business plan, please call HBA’s office at 212.665.7010 or email bharte@hbany.org.

Congratulations again to our winners!

Check out

Watch the video here

We have revamped our Harlem Holiday Market plans to better accommodate  Harlem’s vendors needs! A shorter time period: One long weekend Thursday, December 15 –  Sunday, December 18. Cheaper booth rentals: $500 for a single booth and $900 for a double booth. Warmer tent: One large heated tent with lighting and carpet.

If you would like to vend at the Harlem Holiday Market download our 2011 HHM Vendor Application and submit it along with your 50% deposit by November 15th. For more information visit our HHM website.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Harlem Holiday Market has been cancelled. We will try to bring the concept to fruition next holiday season. Contact marketing@hbany.org with any comments or questions.

Join us in honoring our amazing awardees on December 8, 2011 at the City College of New York. It is sure to be an unmatched networking opportunity for you and your business. Also, for the first time ever: Tickets are now available online via PayPal!

UPDATE: Check out our feature in the NY Beacon!