Harlem entrepreneurs and NYC leaders press for small-business ownership

Harlem Commonwealth Council brought New York City officials, business leaders and entrepreneurs together for a two-day wealth-building summit on Oct. 16-17 in Harlem. The event focused on helping small businesses move from earning income to building ownership and generational wealth.

Why it matters: - Harlem small-business owners are facing challenges that can limit growth, access to capital and long-term ownership. - Harlem Commonwealth Council framed the summit as a push to help entrepreneurs build generational wealth, not just revenue. - The event drew 460 registrations, showing strong demand for practical guidance and networking.

What happened: - Harlem Commonwealth Council hosted its “Built to Last: Wealth-Building Masterclass” on Oct. 16-17. - New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, Council Member Yusef Salaam and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined local business owners and HCC’s financial team for the opening discussion. - Entrepreneurs described the obstacles affecting their businesses in a solution-focused conversation with city leaders. - Levine and Salaam later addressed summit participants. - Chase and HCC representatives gave entrepreneurs financial tools and guidance. - Saturday’s program took place at The Forum at Columbia University.

The details: - Featured speakers included former NBA All-Star and two-term Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Rap Snacks founder James Lindsay and Grammy-winning producer Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis. - Other speakers were music industry executive Jamie Dominguez, Harlem real estate broker and ESRA Realty founder Maurice “Russell” Grey, and Jahkeen “Jah” Washington, founder of Harlem Kettlebell Club and The Harlem Method. - Speakers discussed entrepreneurship, adversity, intellectual property and turning ideas into wealth-building businesses. - The summit centered on the question: “You work. You earn. But what do you own?” - Sharon Joseph, CEO of Harlem Commonwealth Council, said the goal was to bring the right people together to address real challenges and create real opportunities. - Joseph said the event was meant to give entrepreneurs knowledge, relationships and resources to build businesses and strengthen communities. - Harlem Commonwealth Council said the summit supports its nearly 60-year mission of advancing economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and financial independence in Harlem and beyond. - HCC thanked NYC Small Business Services, West Harlem Development Corporation, Harlem Community Development Corporation and One Hundred Black Men for support. - Chick-fil-A donated lunch for attendees on both days.

Between the lines: - The summit reflects a broader shift from business survival to asset-building and ownership. - The mix of city officials, lenders and successful founders suggests Harlem leaders are trying to connect policy, capital and real-world experience in one room. - The emphasis on intellectual property and ownership points to a strategy for turning culture and creativity into lasting value.

What's next: - HCC said additional interviews with Sharon Joseph are available upon request. - Newsrooms can access event footage, B-roll and sound bites featuring Levine, Salaam, Johnson, Lindsay and other speakers. - The organization is likely to keep using convenings like this to push entrepreneurship and financial education in Harlem.

The bottom line: - The summit was less about inspiration and more about giving Harlem entrepreneurs tools to build assets, protect ideas and create generational wealth.