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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

Copyright © 2022 URISE Ventures - All Rights Reserved

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