Juanita Michelle Dardin, Executive Director of the Greater West Dayton Business Incubator
Urban Trendsetters Media is proud to announce its expansion into the Dayton, Ohio market through a new partnership with the Greater West Dayton Business Incubator (GWDBI), further strengthening its commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the region.
As part of this exciting collaboration, Urban Trendsetters will serve as the Official Media Sponsor for GWDBI Black Business Week, taking place August 18–20, 2026. The three-day celebration will feature the Dayton Black Business Awards, educational workshops, networking opportunities, and resources designed to help Black-owned businesses launch, grow, and thrive.
A highlight of the week’s programming will take place on August 20, when Urban Trendsetters Founder and CEO Sharon S. Gordon will present a workshop on Branding, Advertising, and Marketing during the “Grow It” session, which focuses on Expansion and Sustainability. Attendees will gain practical strategies for building stronger brands, increasing visibility, and developing marketing systems that support long-term business growth.
Urban Trendsetters is also pleased to welcome Juanita-Michelle Darden, Executive Director of the Greater West Dayton Business Incubator, as the Interim Outreach Partner for the Urban Trendsetters Dayton/Cincinnati Region. Her decades of leadership in economic development, business advocacy, and entrepreneurial support make her an outstanding addition as Urban Trendsetters continues to expand its footprint across Southwest Ohio.
“This partnership represents more than an expansion into a new market,” said Sharon S. Gordon. “It represents a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, amplifying Black-owned businesses, and creating greater opportunities for economic growth throughout the Dayton and Cincinnati region. We are honored to partner with GWDBI and excited to work alongside Juanita-Michelle Darden to help connect businesses with the visibility, resources, and relationships they need to succeed.”
Through this partnership, Urban Trendsetters will provide multimedia coverage of Black Business Week while introducing local businesses to its growing network of media platforms, including UTS TV, UTS Radio, Urban Trendsetters News Magazine, UTS Local, and UrbanTrendsetters.com.
The collaboration marks another important milestone in Urban Trendsetters’ ongoing mission to celebrate entrepreneurship, promote economic development, and provide a powerful media platform where Black businesses can be seen, heard, and supported.
Together, Urban Trendsetters and the Greater West Dayton Business Incubator are helping build stronger businesses, stronger communities, and a stronger future for the Dayton region.

