Our Mission

CUP is advancing the agenda of urban professionals and their communities with a special emphasis on: access to capital and opportunity, promoting board diversity, innovative education reform and empowering next generation leaders.

Access to Capital

CUP believes that creating minority business opportunities through government and corporate supplier diversity is critical to New York State. It results in a more competitive economic environment as well as stronger communities.

Empowering Next Generation Leaders

The CUP Fellows Program is dedicated to training and developing minority political and civic leaders. Fellows participate in an intensive 10 month public policy and civic engagement boot camp with unique access to leaders and mentors.

Promoting Board Diversity

We strive to create opportunities for CUP members to serve on and lead local and regional boards of nonprofit, for-profit and public sector institutions. CUP will build alliances with New York public, private and nonprofit institutions to promote our broad organizational goals of education reform, community empowerment and business development.

Rewarding Achievement Program (REACH)

REACH supports schools' efforts to increase AP exam pass rates and expand AP course enrollment, resulting in more low-income students competing for admission at more selective colleges and preparing more students to succeed and graduate from college.