On December 20, 2024, Carlton and I had the privilege of accompanying the Community Enterprise Accelerator (CEA) Fellows from Cohorts 1 and 2 to City Hall. This special visit, hosted by Michael Garner, NYC’s Chief Business Diversity Officer, provided an invaluable opportunity for our fellows to learn more about the resources and contracts available to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in New York City.
Joining us were prominent leaders who shared their insights and expertise:
- Michael Garner, Chief Business Diversity Officer for NYC
- Dynishal Gross, Commissioner of NYC Small Business Services (SBS)
- David Coreas, Executive Director of MWBE Recruitment & Outreach at SBS
- Migdalia Taveras, Deputy Chief Business Diversity Officer
Our discussion underscored the city’s commitment to supporting MWBEs, with Commissioner Gross outlining SBS’s work to help businesses navigate certification, scale operations, and access critical resources. “We only win when you win,” she reminded us, emphasizing the importance of leveraging these tools. David Coreas offered practical advice for engaging with city agencies, while Michael Garner shared the incredible strides NYC has made, stating, “We are focusing on contract opportunities like never before. Last year alone, we awarded over $6.4 billion to minority and women-owned firms—a record-breaking achievement.”
Showcasing Bronx Excellence
During the session, our fellows shared the impactful work they are doing across The Bronx. In attendance:
Cohort 1 Fellows
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- Millie Carbajal, 24 HR M&M Daycare
- Triciah Claxton, Loc’d & Lit
- Dominic Maloney, Sol Cacao
- Nicholas Maloney, Sol Cacao
- Olga Perez, MVP Lifeguards
Cohort 2 Fellows
- Ibrahima Badji, Good Vibes
- Anthony Epps, Epposolutely Cleaning Maintenance
- Howard Lindsay, Pat’s Exotic Beverages
- Yasiris Ortiz, Spin & Learn
- Kevin Shabazz, Greene Developers
Hearing their stories and seeing their passion affirmed why we do this work. These entrepreneurs represent the best of what The Bronx has to offer, and it was inspiring to see them connect directly with leaders at the highest levels of city government.
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About the Community Enterprise Accelerator (CEA)
The Community Enterprise Accelerator (CEA) is a transformative initiative, co-founded and funded by Level Up Ventures, a Hearst subsidiary, in partnership with Elevate Digital. Initially launched as a program, CEA is now evolving into a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting under-recognized entrepreneurs in the Bronx. Through grant capital, expert mentorship, and strategic resources, CEA empowers high-potential, community-focused businesses and strengthens the local economy.
