National Foundation For Teaching Entrepreneurship / NFTE (www.nfte.com) - As one of the nation’s best organizations in teaching entrepreneurship to young people, our collaboration has produced a modified curriculum for the first half of the BEDP syllabus.

Harlem YMCA (www.ymcanyc.org) - As a long-standing Harlem institution with decades of experience serving the community, the Harlem YMCA provides instructional space for the New York City program.

Boys & Girls Club of Harlem (www.harlembgc.com) With a new branch opening in Harlem as the former M.L. Wilson Club, we have partnered to plan the construction and use of a new community facility in an underserved section of Harlem.

National Mentoring Partnership (www.mentoring.org) - As the preeminent mentoring association in the U.S., the New York office of the National Mentoring Partnership has provided FKB participants and mentor training for BEDP mentors.

Verizon Technology Center (www22.verizon.com/about/community/techcenter) - With a state-of-the-art facility on 125th Street in Harlem, the Verizon Technology Center has provided use of its computer instructional rooms for BEDP Powerpoint and Excel training.

Good Work Network (www.goodworknetwork.org) - Offering a variety of quality support services to entrepreneurs in New Orleans’ Central City community, the Goodwork Network provides office and instructional space for program operations in New Orleans.

Tulane University (www.tulane.edu) - With one of the most outstanding centers for social entrepreneurship in the country, we partnered with Tulane University to create a special week of learning activities and hands-on community outreach in New Orleans.

New Orleans Hornets (www.nba.com/hornets) - Thanks to the good people in Hornets’ promotional department, the number of applicants for the New Orleans program far exceeded the number of available participation spots creating a waiting list for future classes.

NBA Cares (www.nba.com/nba_cares) - As an active community relations vehicle for the National Basketball Association, NBA Cares supported our community outreach efforts during the 2008 NBA All-Star Week.

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Noteworthy Partner Quotes

Terri Coaxum, Deputy State Director of Senator Charles Schumer’s (NY) office spoke at the graduation in support of the program and later stated, “I believe that the Entrepreneurship Program compliments Senator Schumer’s initiatives to strengthen our economy.”

Diana Beasley, Executive Director of "The New Orleans Journey Home Center" for Mayor Ray Nagin’s office in New Orleans commented that, "The long term benefits of this type of educational program are phenomenal and long overdue. Not only will it tremendously impact and develop the future leaders of New Orleans but it will also help revitalize the economic opportunities in the New Orleans community by creating entrepreneurs while attracting large businesses back to the city.”

Pat Dowell, Alderman of Chicago had this to say about the expansion of the program to Chicago, "I am delighted that the Allan Houston Foundation is seeking a location in Chicago's Bronzeville community, an historic center of African American entrepreneurship. In today's global economy, the creation of viable small businesses must be a focus of our young adults and I look forward to working with the Foundation to grow new opportunities and jobs."