FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2026
Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation Launches AI Advantage Program,
Announcing First Cohort of Bronx Small Businesses
Four-Week Training Initiative Brings Together Entrepreneurs for Hands-On AI Education and
Workforce Innovation, with Support from Google.org
Bronx, NY — The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced the launch of the
AI Advantage Program and the selection of its inaugural cohort of Bronx-based businesses,
marking a significant investment in workforce development, digital equity, and the future
competitiveness of local entrepreneurs.
The AI Advantage Program, supported by Google.org, will be delivered at no cost to participants
across three cohorts, providing multiple opportunities for Bronx businesses to participate.
Applications opened on October 6, 2025, and were open to all Bronx businesses. More than 120
applications were received to fill 70 available placements.
The first cohort includes 23 small businesses representing a wide range of industries, business
sizes, and ownership backgrounds, reflecting the breadth and entrepreneurial strength of the
Bronx economy. Participants span professional services, personal care, nonprofit services, and
emerging growth sectors, and include both early-stage and established businesses seeking
practical ways to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations. Additional cohorts will be
announced in the coming months.
The AI Advantage Program is designed to help small business owners adopt artificial
intelligence in practical, accessible, and immediately useful ways. Through hands-on instruction,
real-world use cases, and expert-led training, participants learn how to apply AI tools to
marketing, customer engagement, workflow automation, data analysis, and decision-making,
without requiring technical backgrounds or prior experience.
“The program is about meeting Bronx businesses where they are and giving them tools they can
actually use,” said Lisa Sorin, President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “Artificial
intelligence is already transforming how businesses operate. The AI Advantage Program ensures
Bronx entrepreneurs have access to the knowledge, support, and resources they need to stay
competitive and grow.”
The four-week program began with onboarding on January 7, 2026, followed by sessions from
January 12 through February 6, 2026, and culminates in an in-person graduation ceremony.
Instruction is provided by experienced technology professionals, including Ashley Scott, an MITtrained
analyst at a Fortune 100 company and founder of Data Girl Ash, George Nunez,
founder of Bronx Tech Hub, and Ashonda Culcleasure, founder of Fix It With Piggy. The
curriculum emphasizes real-world application and immediate value, guiding participants
through tools and strategies they can implement right away to save time, reduce costs, and
increase efficiency, while maintaining a human-centered approach to business growth.
Early participants include Lisa DeMaria, President and Founder of Utopia HR Solutions, and
Ebony Hayes, owner of MindBodyHair Salon, whose participation highlights the broad range of
Bronx-based entrepreneurs seeking to adopt new technologies to support their operations and
long-term success.
“The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation is committed to preparing our workforce
and business community for the future of work,” said Jessica Gonzalez, Chair of the Bronx
Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “The AI Advantage Program demystifies artificial
intelligence and translates it into tangible benefits for businesses. By investing in skills
that are rapidly becoming essential, we are strengthening our local economy and
expanding opportunity.”
The program aligns with the Foundation’s broader mission to advance workforce development,
promote digital equity, and expand access to high-growth skills for underserved communities.
Participant data collected throughout the program will help inform future training initiatives
and support ongoing efforts to tailor resources to the needs of Bronx businesses.
The AI Advantage Program is the first of several planned workforce and small business training
initiatives under the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s expanding education platform.
For more information, contact info@bronxchamber.org.
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About the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation Inc. is committed to supporting small and mid-sized
businesses, economic development, and nonprofit organizations in the Bronx through education, workforce
development training, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. The Foundation works to foster the success
of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), coordinate career development programs, and
build public-private partnerships. It also promotes the Bronx as a prime location for business growth. Since
2006, the Foundation has funded scholarships for college-bound high school seniors, awarded annually at the
Women of Distinction Luncheon, which highlights women’s issues and celebrates local leaders. The
scholarship program aims to create educational opportunities and empower youth to contribute to society.
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