Association looks to enable business development resources

The Homewood community has become known as an area of crime and despair to some. But for those who conduct business in the area, crime and despair do not define Homewood-Brushton. To the recently elected officers, board members and general membership of the Homewood-Brushton Business Association, the neighborhood is changing and there are signs of community and economic development.
Conceptualized in May of last year by a small group of entrepreneurs to address the needs and concerns of Homewood-Brushton business owners, the HBBA is a Homewood-Brushton community based non-profit business association.
“It is our hope for the HBBA to serve as the voice and advocate for Homewood-Brushton Business owners,” says Diane Turner, president of the newly formed organization. “Our goal is for HBBA to enable the next generation of businesses to compete successfully in Pittsburgh’s resurgent regional economy by connecting members to innovative and regional business development resources.
Executive officers of the HBBA are Turner, the owner of TOMS Enterprises, LLC, a multi-faceted consultant management administrative services business. Vice President is Britee Clay co-owner of Jones Printing a commercial printing company. Secretary is Erika Turner of Wine and Words Pittsburgh, an organization focused on promoting creative arts and literature through the use of fun, hip and relaxed social events while also bringing attention to the local wineries in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Treasurer is Yahru Hood-Wilkerson of the Homewood Purpose, a partnership organization challenged to weaving entrepreneurial excellence back into the fabric of Homewood-Brushton.  Its first venture is set to be a unique self-service retail laundromat.

Board members are: Vernard Alexander; the Minority Network Exchange; Stephane Durrett; SD Transit; Albert Reese Jr.; attorney at law and Andre L. Young, Salutations, Inc. Ad-Hoc members are: Regina Able representing the regional US Small Business Administration and Henry Pyatt representing Mayor Bill Puedo’s office.
“The HBBA was created to foster the development and growth of the Homewood-Brushton business community, to enhance its visibility, and to preserve its history by increasing the capacity of business by providing access to capital, industry information, technical assistance, and business support,” explains Marteen Garay, formerly the Manager of Community and Economic Development Initiatives at the Homewood Children’s Village. For the past several years Garay has been developing relationships within the community of Homewood.
Currently the Homewood Innovation Zone Consultant for Urban Innovation21.  According to Turner she has been facilitating the development process of HBBA through surveying businesses, speaking with individuals who have been involved in past efforts of establishing a business organization, and building future partnerships with agencies. “It has been a challenge for her to convene the area business owners and to create a unified mission for the association but she is doing a remarkable job. I am honored to hold the position of president of the HBBA. It’s been a tough year for us all, and while we’re starting to see signs of community economic development, there are sure to be more challenges as we power ahead. We, the executive board look forward to working with the HBBA board and membership over the next year as we advance Homewood businesses.”
After her extensive outreach efforts Garay says her focus now is to recruit more paying members and to get steady participation on their seven committees. “The HBBA currently consist of about 20active members out of an estimated 70 existing and startup businesses in the area,” she pointed out.
HBBA membership is open to any owner, partner, corporate officer, director or designated representative of a lawfully recognized business, business activity, profession or enterprise located in the Homewood-Brushton neighborhood and area. Benefits of the $50.00 annual membership are explained as the group serving as an advocate and the legal eyes and ears for its members; providing education and training as well as mentorship from experienced members, business technical assistance, networking opportunities, access to incubation services, a monthly newsletter, business to business meetings and annual luncheons and events.
HBBA membership committees are advocacy, training and education, membership, marketing, special events, public policy and public safety.
Excited about the formation and possibilities of the business association, Garay a Bronx, N.Y. native and graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College says the HBBA’s goal is to increase opportunities, to enrich its business base, and build stronger connections with its partners and member firms to facilitate the growth and success of its membership base.
Recognizing that some of the oldest businesses existing in Pittsburgh are located in Homewood-Brushton, Garay says their hope is for the community to benefit from the experience of the historic businesses, the development of new businesses and the unification of all the businesses.
She identified some of the long standing businesses as Bakers Dairy, Dana’s Bakery, Dorsey’s Records, Jones Printing, Perry’s Market, Salik Hardware Store and Strong Cleaners.
“Our aim is to strengthen the community as much as possible by providing existing and future businesses the best possible foundation. The HBBA executive and board members are a group of smart, driven, dedicated business owners and entrepreneurs that will help build an association that can act as a hub for business development. I’m really excited about what has been accomplished so far and I look forward to what’s next,” said Garay.
(The group meets the third Wednesday of each month at various locations. They can be contacted by calling 412-945-7422 or email: homewoodbusinessassociation@gmail.com.)