Sharon S Gordon 
There is a reason we’re called Urban Trendsetters.
We’ve always believed that our job isn’t simply to tell you what’s happening. We want to know what’s next—and what it means for us.
Right now, what’s next is AI.
Artificial intelligence has moved from science fiction and big tech companies into everyday business. Small business owners are using AI to write marketing copy, answer customer questions, analyze information, create content, research prospects and automate repetitive tasks. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 66% of small businesses now report using AI.
So here’s the question:
Is AI an opportunity for Black America—or another technology that could leave us behind?
We think it can be an opportunity.
But only if we learn how to use it.
AI Could Give the Small Business Owner a Bigger Team
One of the biggest advantages of AI is its ability to help a small business owner do more without necessarily adding a large payroll.
Think about the entrepreneur who is doing everything:
Marketing.
Sales.
Customer service.
Social media.
Bookkeeping.
Research.
Scheduling.
Follow-up.
That’s a lot for one person.
AI can help take some of those repetitive tasks off the owner’s plate.
And the next evolution is even more interesting:
AI Agents.
Instead of simply asking AI a question and getting an answer, an AI agent can be designed to complete a series of tasks.
Imagine telling your business system:
“Find potential customers in my target market, organize the leads, research their businesses and prepare them for follow-up.”
Or:
“Review my customer inquiries, identify people who haven’t received a response and prepare personalized follow-up messages.”
Or:
“Create this week’s social media content based on my current promotion and prepare the emails to go with it.”
That’s not science fiction anymore.
That’s where business automation is going.
And This Could Be Big for Black-Owned Businesses
For many Black entrepreneurs, the challenge isn’t talent.
It isn’t ideas.
It isn’t ambition.
It’s resources.
A small business may not have enough money to hire a full marketing department, researcher, administrative assistant, customer service team and content creator.
AI won’t eliminate the need for people.
But it can potentially give a small team more capacity.
That matters.
Because if technology allows one entrepreneur to reach more customers, respond faster, market more consistently and spend less time buried in administrative work, that entrepreneur has more opportunity to focus on growth.
And growth is where the conversation gets interesting.
But We Have to Keep AI in Its Place
At Urban Trendsetters, we’re embracing AI ourselves.
We’re looking at ways to use AI agents, automation and other technology to make our operations more efficient.
But there is one thing we aren’t willing to automate:
Our responsibility to tell the truth.
AI can be wrong.
It can provide outdated information.
It can repeat misinformation.
It can make something sound factual when it isn’t.
That’s why human research, judgment and accountability still matter.
Especially when we’re telling stories about Black America.
We don’t need technology replacing our voices.
We need technology amplifying them.
Don’t Just Use AI. Learn to Leverage It.
The real opportunity isn’t becoming dependent on AI.
It’s becoming AI-literate.
Business owners should be asking:
- What can I automate?
- What can I do faster?
- What information can I analyze?
- How can I find more customers?
- How can I improve customer service?
- How can I create better content?
- How can I reach new markets?
- How can I turn my knowledge into another source of revenue?
The businesses asking those questions today may have a very different competitive advantage tomorrow.
The UTS Take
We’re not interested in using AI just because it’s the latest trend.
We’re interested in using it strategically.
We believe AI should help entrepreneurs:
Create more.
Reach more.
Sell more.
Work smarter.
Scale faster.
But we also believe the human being needs to remain in the driver’s seat.
Because our ideas are valuable.
Our experiences are valuable.
Our creativity is valuable.
Our culture is valuable.
And our stories are valuable.
AI can be the tool. But we still need to be the owners.
For Black America, that may be the bigger opportunity.
Not simply learning how to use AI.
Learning how to use AI to build businesses, create intellectual property, increase productivity and ultimately build wealth.
That’s a trend worth watching.
And it’s one Urban Trendsetters intends to be ahead of.
Because that’s what Trendsetters do.
For more information on how Urban Trendsetters can assist you and your business through the leverage of AI, contact us today at sharon@urbantrendsetters.com.
About Author
