Jahleel Vester, the Business Education Coordinator of Urban Impact Seattle, joined host Trae Holiday for a segment highlighting all the work his organization has been doing for the community. With a mission for uplifting underserved neighborhoods, Urban Impact offers an array of programs, from educational support and mentoring to job training and leadership development. 

"Urban Impact, I would say, is Seattle's Best Kept Secret because they've been doing the work for over 30 years in the community," Vester said. 

Before joining Urban Impact, Jahleel Vester had made a career in real estate, serving as a mortgage loan officer for four and a half years before transitioning into the role of a real estate broker. Vester's journey toward community empowerment began through his connection with Urban Impact's VP of Economic Development, Andre Benjamin, ultimately igniting Vester's interest in the organization. Recognizing the opportunity to merge his real estate expertise and his passion for serving others, Vester found a perfect fit at Urban Impact, where he could leverage his skills to make a meaningful impact in people's lives.

"Through Urban Impact, I have an organic way of touching lives by just showing up and saying, how can I help," Vester said.

As the Business Education Coordinator at Urban Impact Seattle, Jahleel Vester partakes in the organization's efforts from within the Economic Development Department. The department offers diverse training programs tailored to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to chart their path as business leaders. 

Among the notable initiatives championed by the department is the Sharks At The Beach Entrepreneurship Program, a flagship endeavor recently commemorating its remarkable 14th anniversary. Taking place over three months, this competition assists participants in identifying their target demographic, crafting a business model canvas, and effectively structuring their ventures. 

"So, a lot of local businesses right here in Seattle have gotten their structure and seed money to start their business from this program," Vester said. "How it works is we get them going about 12 weeks before the pitch competition. And these are just people [who] have an idea, and they want to make it a reality. So we take them from ideation to execution, [which] is kind of the framework."

Inspired by Michael E. Gerber's work, The E-Myth Revisited, the competition is built around providing the tools and insights necessary to establish a solid framework for entrepreneurship. Winners have been awarded $10,000 annually for the past 14 years.

"He says that business is a system that pays you whether you show up or not. So we help them work backward from there with that understanding over 12 weeks, and then we help them organize their value proposition and pitch it in three minutes or less," Vester said. "They get to compete against their peers, and then the top dog wins prizes."

Examples of Urban Impact's work are its notable projects, such as the Emerald City Commons, a 61-unit affordable living apartment complex currently at full occupancy, which serves as a cornerstone for the community. Additionally, the Rainier Health and Fitness Community Center beneath the complex provides vital resources and support to residents. The organization's dedication extends further with initiatives like youth and prison ministry and, once again, their economic development department catering to the needs of business owners in Seattle.

"We live through the stories of our entrepreneurs, and we really do live through everyone else's success," Vester said. 

To learn more about Urban Impact, visit their website here.

For more stories about organizations making changes in Seattle, tune into Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.