Urbana Business Association Staff Updates

The Urbana Business Association has updated its staff this past October, 2019.

The first addition is UBA Executive Director, Darius White.  

Darius oversees all Urbana Business Association operations, programming, and administration. Further, Darius leads major events and provides outreach within Urbana’s dynamic business community. Over the past twelve years Darius has worked in program and major events coordination through positions held with Champaign Park District and Eastern Illinois University. He holds a master’s degree in management from Colorado Technical University and his bachelor’s degree in consumer studies and family services with a focus on business administration from Eastern Illinois University. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. District of Illinois Leadership Council, he assists in the coordination of District of Illinois conferences and oversees all fraternal competitions and contests for the organization. As a resident of Urbana, he is currently a member of the Civilian Police Review Board and Community Development Commission for the City of Urbana. Darius is a four-time recipient of the Champaign Park District’s Community Impact Award and a 2019 recipient of the Community Impact Award from Junior League.

The next is UBA Marketing and Events Manager, Abbi Racine Marketing and Events Manager, Abbi Racine Abbi coordinates marketing and events for Urbana Business Association, managing communications, outreach, and activation. She is a Northern Michigan native and graduated from Aquinas College in ‘16 with a degree in English and communications. Abbi brings a strong background in news, media, and marketing for the event planning industry. She has written for numerous arts and culture publications and has a keen eye for building dynamic cultural landscapes. Abbi assists in the management of UBA’s ongoing programs and special events, including Urbana Sweetcorn Festival, Uncorked Wine Festival, Downtown Trick-or-Treat, Market IN the Square, and Urbana’s Downtown Get Down.