Photo credit: Isseu Diouf Campbell
NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Jonnel Doris announced the appointment of Kenneth Ebie as the inaugural Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC).
In this role, Ebie will work to advance Black entrepreneurship by increasing the number of Black-owned businesses in New York City and supporting their growth through development, management and fundraising of key BE NYC programs and partnerships. Ebie’s role will also ensure Black businesses mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 as they recover from the pandemic.
An entrepreneur himself, Ebie is the Founder and Principal of Ebie Strategies LLC, a boutique social impact and public affairs firm that advises corporate, non-profit and individual clients on human capital, social impact and public-private partnerships. With prior experience in law, politics, City government and public affairs, Ebie brings a track record of success in driving innovative social impact initiatives at the highest levels of government, entertainment, and philanthropy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Black-owned businesses closed twice as frequently as their white counterparts. To help address these concerns, the City announced new commitments in August, which aim to increase the number of Black-owned businesses in all five boroughs. The commitments were released in conjunction with SBS’ landmark report, Advancing Black Entrepreneurship in New York City, which acts as a blueprint for advancing Black entrepreneurship and highlights the challenges this community faces when starting and growing their businesses.
Ebie previously worked as a Director at The Raben Group, a national strategic communications and public affairs firm. Prior to that, he served in New York City government as Deputy General Counsel and Director of External Affairs at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), directing legislative affairs and establishing strategic partnerships, and previously as Special Counsel at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Prior to government, Ebie served as the campaign manager for the late Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson’s successful 2013 campaign. Ebie holds a B.A. from Harvard College and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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