Celebrating 20 Years: Some Highlights
2002
Originally founded as Urban Reach Institute for Student Enterprises in Bloomfield now known simply as 'URISE'
2004
Moved to Hartford and How To Be Your Own Boss" story featured in the Hartford Courant
2015
URISE launches "Urban Tekk," a digital media and technology-focused social enterprise
2019
URISE hosts the first ever Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES!) at Downtown Hartford Public Library for aspiring young leaders and entrepreneurs. Sponsor: Fairview Capital Partners
2020
URISE holds our first Youth Pitch Competition for youth and young adults in middle-school and high school earning cash prizes. Sponsor: West Indian Foundation
2021
Opened the Business Resource + Innovation Center aka THE BRIC at 1229 Albany Avenue, Suite 202 in Bloomfield, CT
Our Founder
Alice Margie Turner, M.Ed.
From Corporate Trainer to Social Entrepreneur
I'm Alice Margie, Turner, a former corporate training executive in the insurance and financial service industry. At fifty-something, my corporate career ended abruptly for the second time, and I asked myself, "Now what do I do?"
It was 2010. I enrolled in Encore! Hartford, a nonprofit leadership development program. Through my Encore! experience and fellowship, I rediscovered my passion for education and reimagined my childhood dream of empowering young minds through culture, community and education.
After working part-time as an adjunct faculty and substitute teacher for years, I needed to find a way to live my dream and follow my passion full-time. In 2017 it happened, I launched URISE, a nonprofit based in Northeast Hartford's Promise Zone followed by Urban Tekk in 2020, a for-profit digital media and technology social enterprise.
In 2021, the same day I celebrated my 65th birthday, I started my retirement party by making my part-time passion my full-time commitment when we opened the doors to The Business Resource and Innovation Center aka 'The BRIC' proving that dreams really do come true.
Moral of my story: "You're never too old and it's never too late to dream, do good and make a difference in your community."
Executive Board
Dr. Nicole Jones
Dr. Nicole Jones
Dr. Nicole Jones
Board President
Hartford Public Schools
John Antonich
Dr. Nicole Jones
Dr. Nicole Jones
Board Vice President
The Entrepreneurial Center
Sarah Nguyen
Dr. Nicole Jones
Sarah Nguyen
Board Secretary
University of Connecticut
Olaleye Aina
Dr. Nicole Jones
Sarah Nguyen
Board Treasurer
InterNESS Technologies
Linda Blackburn, CPA
Linda Blackburn, CPA
Linda Blackburn, CPA
Board Advisor
Small Business Accountant
Carlton Chen, Esq.
Linda Blackburn, CPA
Linda Blackburn, CPA
Board Advisor
Kurien Oulette, PC
JoAnn Price
Linda Blackburn, CPA
JoAnn Price
Board Advisor
Fairview Capital Partners
2022 Summer Youth Interns
URISE Summer Interns get an opportunity to meet Ned & Susan on Pratt St. "We've got a half-dozen new businesses here, you could be the next one."