About Our Founder

Shantelle L. Patton is a visionary entrepreneur, cultural architect, and powerhouse advocate for minority-owned businesses in Western New York. As Director of Programming and Community Engagement at Intersect Buffalo, she leads high-impact initiatives that center economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community wealth building on Buffalo’s East Side and beyond.

Shantelle is the Founder and CEO of That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory, a platform she created in 2018 that has grown to connect more than 650 businesses to opportunities, procurement pipelines, and visibility through the BBX Supplier Diversity Portal and Culture Currency Hub. She is also a co-founder of The Dopeness Project, an artist development company that helped carve out creative spaces for Buffalo’s hip hop and arts community.

A committed community leader, Shantelle proudly serves as President of the Urban Chamber of Commerce (Buffalo) and sits on the boards of the WNY Urban Arts Collective, Greater Jefferson Avenue Business Association, and the African American Cultural Center. She is also the unofficial President of the Emerging Leaders Advisory Board, where she champions bold leadership and next-generation changemakers.

Shantelle is a graduate of the Open Buffalo Emerging Leaders Program, UB Citizens Planning School, IC Success Business Accelerator, EForever Entrepreneurship Program, and UB Cultivator Program, a reflection of her relentless commitment to growth and community advancement.

Her leadership has earned widespread recognition:

Buffalo Business First Power 100 Business Leaders of Color, four-time honoree (2022–2025)

2025 Buffalo Niagara Partnership Economic Champion

UB Cultivator Award Recipient ($100,000 investment, 2025)

2024 Springboard Award Winner ($15,000 investment)

2023 IDEA Award Recipient

2023 Athena Award Nominee

Shantelle’s work is fueled by a deep belief in “Currency for the Culture”, the idea that economic power and cultural legacy are intertwined. She is the brand architect behind The Friday Night Cipher, a platform blending hip hop, community, and cultural storytelling, and a passionate spoken word performer whose artistry mirrors her advocacy.

Through her leadership, creativity, and unapologetic commitment to equity, Shantelle Patton is building more than programs, she’s building movements.