415-857-1136

233 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Business Services Hub

Program

Our Business Services Hub

NCLF’s Business Services Hub is home to UpSkill—a flagship program dedicated to strengthening the financial health and long-term success of micro and small businesses in historically underserved communities across San Francisco.

With deep roots in neighborhoods like the Fillmore, Bayview-Hunters Point, and the Tenderloin, NCLF provides hands-on, culturally responsive support tailored to each stage of a business’s journey—from startup to scale.

What We Offer:

Business Launch Support

Legal formation (LLCs & Sole Proprietorships)
Permitting and registration
Supplier & Bidder certification
Mobile truck business setup

Financial Strength

Grant identification & application support
Budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning

Market Readiness

Business planning & branding
Digital skill-building
Marketing and outreach strategy

Ongoing Growth & Connection

One-on-one mentorship
Networking opportunities and industry partnerships

Since 2012, NCLF has empowered hundreds of local entrepreneurs—especially those in low-income and underserved communities—to turn ideas into sustainable businesses. Whether you’re starting out or leveling up, we’re here to help you build and thrive.

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We Believe

“We rise by uplifting others.”

Professor James Lance Taylor, Ph.D.
Board Member | Political Science Professor | Author | Advocate for Racial Justice

Dr. James Lance Taylor is a Professor of Political Science at the University of San Francisco, where he also teaches in African American Studies, Critical Diversity Studies, and the Masters of Public Affairs and Urban Affairs programs.

A native of Glen Cove, Long Island, Dr. Taylor is the award-winning author of Black Nationalism in the United States: From Malcolm X to Barack Obama, named an Outstanding Academic Title by the American Library Association.

Expertise & Leadership

Former President of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists
Former Chair of the Department of Politics at USF
Faculty Coordinator for African American Studies

His research focuses on the intersections of race, politics, religion, and social movements. He has published widely on historical figures including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Dr. Betty Shabazz.

Current Work & Media

Dr. Taylor is currently working on a new book exploring the Peoples Temple and Black politics in California. He regularly shares insights on platforms like NPR, KRON 4, and the Commonwealth Club.

Community Impact

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Taylor contributes to public policy efforts in San Francisco, particularly around police reform and racial justice. He also serves as Vice President of San Francisco Achievers, supporting young Black men in the public school system.

Dr. Taylor lives with his family in Oakland, California.

Phyllis Bowie
Board Member At-Large | Food Justice Advocate | Media Creator

“Prayer and being in service to others was the medicine I needed to lift myself up and find the beauty of living every day in gratitude.”

From Hollywood to Housing Advocate

A proud native of San Francisco’s Fillmore District and an Air Force veteran, Phyllis Bowie has lived a life of transformation—from TV screens to frontline advocacy. After a decade as a lifestyle expert and interior designer in the entertainment industry, Bowie’s career took an unexpected turn when she lost her television contract and agent. Facing skyrocketing rent, she was nearly evicted from her apartment of 25 years.

Hitting rock bottom, Bowie applied for food stamps and feared homelessness—an experience shared by many veterans and Black San Franciscans. Watching her community suffer from gentrification, displacement, and declining Black home and business ownership, she knew she had to take action.

Turning the Camera Around: Living with Phyllis

Phyllis launched her nonprofit Living with Phyllis—a local award-winning TV show and food blog that:

Destigmatizes food stamps
Teaches families how to eat well on a tight budget
Empowers communities through storytelling and education

Today, she uses media to uplift underserved voices, highlighting programs like Market Match at the Fillmore Farmers Market and providing hope and practical solutions to those in need.

Committed to Food Security & Health Equity

Phyllis focuses her community work on urban food access and education, especially in San Francisco’s Black communities. Her initiatives include:

Creating community vegetable gardens
Partnering with farmers markets and local leaders
Offering nutrition education to fight preventable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity

A Voice for the Community

Phyllis Bowie brings passion, resilience, and lived experience to NCLF’s board. She continues to serve with gratitude, joy, and a camera in hand, sharing stories and creating pathways for health and hope in the Fillmore and beyond.

Katherine Campbell
Board Member At-Large | Lifelong Community Leader

“The most powerful moment of my life was becoming a community leader—serving the people of San Francisco and Oakland.”
— Katherine Campbell

Rooted in Service Since 1969

Katherine Campbell’s commitment to community leadership began in 1969, after returning to San Francisco from a scholarship at Miami University. Inspired by the social movements of the time, she joined the Black Panther Party (BPP) and served as a member until 1978, receiving political education and community organizing experience that laid the foundation for her life’s work.

Education & Training

To better serve the community, Ms. Campbell earned certifications and degrees focused on social impact:

A.A. in Social Sciences, Laney College
Civil Engineering, San Francisco State University
Counseling & Eviction Defense, UC Berkeley
Certified Counselor, UC Berkeley

Career in Community Support

Katherine has worked across sectors to support vulnerable communities, including:

SF County Jail (850 Bryant) – Counseling inmates for re-entry and housing
Juli House – Support for young pregnant women transitioning to independence
Mission Housing – Transitional housing and support services for the unhoused
Family Service Agency – Case management and counseling

Legacy with the Black Panther Party

During her time with BPP, Katherine was involved in several key initiatives:

10-Point Service Plan
Sickle Cell Anemia Program
Seniors Against a Fearful Environment (SAFE)
Oakland Community School – A model alternative school
Free Breakfast Program – Helped launch and sustain Fillmore’s chapter; celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019

Beliefs & Values

Katherine believes deeply in teamwork, ownership, and generational knowledge. From her early life, working with her mother and siblings to sustain their household, she understood the power of unity and shared purpose.

Her advice:

Listen to your elders
Stay focused
Look before you leap
Dream of ownership—and make it real

“Life is a building block. You have to build up to it. If you put your mind to it, you can do it.”
— Katherine Campbell

Jada Curry
Board Secretary | Student Leader | Community Advocate

At just 21 years old, Jada Curry brings powerful lived experience, a passion for innovation, and an unwavering commitment to service as the Board Secretary for the New Community Leadership Foundation (NCLF).

Resilient Leader With Real-Life Perspective

Jada’s journey is rooted in strength—having experienced homelessness at age 10, she rose to become a leader and change-maker in her community.

George Washington High School Graduate
- President of the Black Student Union
- Recognized by Supervisor Sandra Fewer
- Recipient of 9 academic scholarships
Participated in Enterprise for Youth’s career readiness program

Academic Excellence & Civic Engagement

Jada is currently pursuing a degree in Physics at the University of San Francisco, where she’s involved in multiple academic and community-focused initiatives:

Member, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Member, Society of Physics Students
Program Assistant Coordinator, USF Physics Department
Site Lead & Literacy Tutor, Engage Literacy Program at Booker T. Washington Community Service Center

She also holds Seat 7 on the DCYF Oversight & Advisory Committee, representing Transitional Age Youth.

Professional & Volunteer Experience

Jada brings versatile experience to her role at NCLF, where she handles:

Executive administration
Event coordination
Permit processing

Past roles include:

Junior Caddie at the Olympic Club
Event Intern at Fort Mason
ESL Coach with Project SHINE, preparing students for their naturalization tests
Volunteer at the Asian Art Museum

Driven By Purpose

Jada is accountable, compassionate, and leads with a servant’s heart. Her passion lies in creating access and opportunity for others, especially underserved youth. When she’s not working or studying, you can find her gaming or watching movies

Lily Robinson-Trezvant
Board President

A lifelong Fillmore resident and community advocate, Lily Robinson-Trezvant brings over 70 years of lived experience in San Francisco to her role as Board President of the New Community Leadership Foundation (NCLF).

Born in Galveston, Texas, Lily moved to San Francisco at the age of 3. She experienced firsthand the impact of urban renewal and displacement, having lost her family home to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.

Leadership Through Service

Lily has dedicated her life to community service and advocacy:

Worked for the San Francisco School Board during school integration (1971) in Community Relations
Served as a counselor at RAP High School, supporting formerly incarcerated youth with housing, education, and employment
Contributed to Golden Gate University as part of the Dean of Management’s administrative team

Community & Civic Engagement

Board member of the Rosa Parks Senior Apartments Tenant Association (5 years; 2 as President)
Executive board member of San Francisco’s Senior and Disabled Housing Committee
68-year member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Active in fraternal organizations for 53 years

A Passion for People

Lily brings a practical, inclusive approach to leadership and a deep commitment to justice, equity, and community well-being. As Board President, she continues to champion NCLF’s mission with passion, persistence, and heart.

She is also a proud mother of four successful sons.

Hugh (EMC) Gregory
Community Leader | Cultural Pioneer | Advocate

Hugh EMC Gregory is a proud native of San Francisco’s Fillmore District, raised in the Yerba Buena Plaza East Projects, famously known as the "Out of Control Projects." A true multi-hyphenate, Hugh is a community builder, music legend, and lifelong advocate for underserved neighborhoods.

Hip-Hop Pioneer & Bay Area Legend

Before stepping into community leadership, Hugh EMC made history as:

The first Hip-Hop artist to produce an album in San Francisco
A pioneer of the Fillmore Hip-Hop scene
A mentor to Bay Area artists like JT the Bigga Figga, San Quinn, and Messy Marv

He rose to prominence alongside Rappin’ 4-Tay, shaping the city’s musical legacy and uplifting the voices of Fillmore artists.

Champion for Community Empowerment

As a founding member of the New Community Leadership Foundation (NCLF), Hugh has led transformative community work:

Secured NCLF’s early funding through strategic grant writing
Spearheaded the activation of the Fillmore Mini-Park in partnership with OEWD and SF Rec & Park
Organized arts events, fitness programs, rallies, and community meals—creating a safe, welcoming space for families, elders, and youth

On the Front Lines of Social Impact

Hugh's deep commitment to service includes:

Mentoring at-risk youth and conducting workshops at San Francisco Juvenile Hall
Supporting homeless and transitional-aged youth as a housing specialist and case manager
Currently serving as a Disease Investigator Specialist with the SF Department of Public Health, working directly on COVID-19 response

Driven by Purpose

Hugh EMC is a visionary leader known for his compassion, persistence, and love for his community. Whether through music, mentorship, or mobilization, he’s spent a lifetime uplifting others and building spaces where people can thrive.