5th Annual Black Ambition Prize Competition:
Up to $100,000 available
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The 2025 Black Ambition Prize, founded by Pharrell Williams, is now open for applications. This competition provides $20,000 to $100,000 in funding and mentorship for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses.
Who Can Apply? Teams (at least two members) with at least one founder from an underrepresented background, including but not limited to:
What Businesses Are Eligible? Eligibility includes for-profit businesses in:
Info Session: Register HERE for an upcoming virtual information session and get your questions answered about the Black Ambition Prize Competition. Date & Time: March 12, 2025 | 03:00 PM Apply here: Black Ambition Prize - Application Deadline: May 2nd, 9 PM ET |
Happy Holidays!
LDCENY Welcomes...
Beny Castro
Program Manager, Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC)
For over 7 years, Beny Castro has served hundreds of business owners / entrepreneurs and numerous communities as a program manager, business specialist, marketer & liaison. His devotion to small business owners and community-based organizations has helped elevate them via marketing, networking, business strategy & development, digital savvy, financial literacy and funding opportunities. He has organized and hosted over 100 webinars, seminars, marketing, cultural and community events
With an ABA from LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, Beny was presented the Winston Davidson Memorial Award For Outstanding Service To the College Community.
Using his fluency in English & Spanish, in 2019, Beny was honored with a NYC Proclamation For Outstanding Leadership In the Latino Community.
In 2023, Beny was 1 of 20 to be selected and graduate from Coro Neighborhood Leadership, an empowering curriculum designed to equip community leaders with the acumen and network to bring forth lasting reform within their communities.
Beny Castro is a rapid & vivacious learner with a “designer stomach” (loves eating great food), enjoys basketball, baseball, football, and spending time with family & friends.
Beny Castro
Program Manager, Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC)
For over 7 years, Beny Castro has served hundreds of business owners / entrepreneurs and numerous communities as a program manager, business specialist, marketer & liaison. His devotion to small business owners and community-based organizations has helped elevate them via marketing, networking, business strategy & development, digital savvy, financial literacy and funding opportunities. He has organized and hosted over 100 webinars, seminars, marketing, cultural and community events
With an ABA from LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, Beny was presented the Winston Davidson Memorial Award For Outstanding Service To the College Community.
Using his fluency in English & Spanish, in 2019, Beny was honored with a NYC Proclamation For Outstanding Leadership In the Latino Community.
In 2023, Beny was 1 of 20 to be selected and graduate from Coro Neighborhood Leadership, an empowering curriculum designed to equip community leaders with the acumen and network to bring forth lasting reform within their communities.
Beny Castro is a rapid & vivacious learner with a “designer stomach” (loves eating great food), enjoys basketball, baseball, football, and spending time with family & friends.
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Entrepreneurship Assistance Center - EACEntrepreneurs and small business owners get to participate in hands-on, dynamic workshops and receive essential tools to build and grow their business, such as:
Class starts Saturday, October 26, 2024. Call today! |
East New York Community Roundtable
July 24, 2024
Bill Wilkins was invited to participate in an East New York Community Roundtable hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Antonino Reynoso, and Councilman Chris Banks. Local stakeholders came ready to discuss important issues and shared big ideas regarding East New York community. The gathering occurred at the Brooklyn Public Library on New Lots Avenue.
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Click here or the image below to read the full story on Brooklyn Paper
March 8, 2024
Today, Brooklyn Org. hosted East New York Stakeholders at Brooklyn Blend to gather information relating to what is going in the community, and on New Lots Avenue. The attendees under the direction of Lori Lui Consulting, were given an opportunity for open discussion and information sharing regarding present community conditions.
Thanks goes to Joycelyn Rainey, (CEO) of Brooklyn Org, for taking the time and including East New York, on her listening tour of Brooklyn communities.
Featured below are representatives from: Brooklyn Blend, BOC Network, Brownsville Community Culinary Center, Man Up, UCC, Rise Up Strive Up, LDCENY, EBBID, P.S. K004, and SOJA Ent.
Today, Brooklyn Org. hosted East New York Stakeholders at Brooklyn Blend to gather information relating to what is going in the community, and on New Lots Avenue. The attendees under the direction of Lori Lui Consulting, were given an opportunity for open discussion and information sharing regarding present community conditions.
Thanks goes to Joycelyn Rainey, (CEO) of Brooklyn Org, for taking the time and including East New York, on her listening tour of Brooklyn communities.
Featured below are representatives from: Brooklyn Blend, BOC Network, Brownsville Community Culinary Center, Man Up, UCC, Rise Up Strive Up, LDCENY, EBBID, P.S. K004, and SOJA Ent.
Trey Whitfield Foundation 28th Annual Awards
The Trey Whitfield Foundation 28th Annual Awards and Dinner was celebrated on Thursday, November 14, 2023, at El Caribe Country Club. The event was hostd by A.B. Whitfeild & Janie Whitney and Master of Ceremony was Clifton Davis (Actor/Songwriter). This years honoree's included: William Wilkins (LDCENY & EBBID Executive Director), Dominique Wilkins (NBA Hall of Fame), Diane Dixon (Olympic Gold Medal), Carl Nassib (NFL), and Adam Gardner (NBA).
Meet & Greet
October 27, 2023
On October 27, 2023 on the campus of Christain Cultrual Center, Brooklyn, New York a Meet & Greet was held to introduce local companies in the buildings trade with the Innovative Urban Village (IUV) development team. The IUV is a project that t includes over 2,000 units of afforable housing, 100 town homes, five story parking lot, 80,000 SF of commercial space and a Performing Arts Center.
The development team (Gotham, CCC and Monadnock), met with over 50 area contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.
The development team (Gotham, CCC and Monadnock), met with over 50 area contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.
Click on the image below to read full Press Release (external link).
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NYCEDC and MTA to Oversee Nearly $500 Million in Public Realm Improvements, Station Complex Improvements, and Accessibility Upgrades
Public and Private Investments to Generate $11.6 Billion in Economic Impact and Over 2,300 Jobs, With City and State Prioritizing Local Hiring
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MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC SPACE, GOOD JOBS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AROUND BROADWAY JUNCTION SUBWAY STATION
NYCEDC and MTA to Oversee Nearly $500 Million in Public Realm Improvements, Station Complex Improvements, and Accessibility Upgrades
Public and Private Investments to Generate $11.6 Billion in Economic Impact and Over 2,300 Jobs, With City and State Prioritizing Community Hiring
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a major public investment in the area around the Broadway Junction subway station in Brooklyn that will deliver vibrant public space, improve quality of life, create family-sustaining jobs, and unlock inclusive economic growth throughout East New York. Driving the plan is a $500 million investment in the community, including $400 million for accessibility upgrades at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Broadway Junction station complex, part of ongoing efforts to make the station a true regional transit center. The remainder is a $95 million investment to activate underutilized public spaces around the subway complex; improve street safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users; and create approximately one acre of new open space.
These investments build on a series of steps the city and state have taken to bring economic opportunities, services, and amenities to this long-underserved community. With these new public commitments and planned private investments around the Broadway Junction complex, the city is expected to see over $11.6 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, including opportunities for local businesses, nonprofits, and minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs). These new public realm investments alone are expected to generate over 2,300 construction jobs.
Public realm improvements surrounding Broadway Junction were a key initiative in Mayor Adams’ and New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s “New” New York action plan, “Making New York Work for Everyone,” which identified the area as an emerging jobs hub.
Within a 10-minute walk of the Broadway Junction station, more than 433 homes have recently been completed or are in construction, with more than 1,700 additional homes projected or permitted. Nearly all of the 433 homes are affordable to families earning less than 80 percent of area median income, and nearly 60 percent will be affordable for families earning less than 50 percent of area median income. All of the anticipated housing construction will have to meet affordability requirements under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing or are currently engaging with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to provide even greater affordability.
As part of the plan, NYCEDC will create two new public plazas on either side of Van Sinderen Avenue and Fulton Street, creating a new gateway entrance to the Broadway Junction station with new lighting, art, vending space, seating, and plantings. The project will also deliver streetscape improvements with new pedestrian safety measures, bike infrastructure, signage, and street furniture on Van Sinderen Avenue between Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue.
The MTA’s improvements will bring ADA accessibility to the entire Broadway Junction station, including transfers between the Fulton line A/C, Jamaica line J/Z, and Canarsie line L stations. The project also includes state-of-good-repair investments, including escalator replacements, and will create a new entrance with direct access to the L train on the east side of Van Sinderen Avenue.
With these new investments and connected projects, the city will create opportunities designated for local businesses. The city will set aside a minimum of 35 percent of design and construction contracts for of the public space around the Broadway Junction for M/WBE businesses, with an emphasis on targeting and certifying local minority, women, and other disadvantaged businesses in the community to become M/WBE-certified. The city will then prioritize these businesses for admission into the spring 2024 cohort of NYCEDC’s ConstructNYC program, which will help small and mid-sized firms become prequalified to work on these and other city construction projects.
At the same time, the city will reduce barriers for the local workforce to access training and new job opportunities coming out of this investment. The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will offer direct entry training programs, targeted outreach, and marketing of upcoming training and recruitment events at the East New York Workforce 1 Center and through the city’s HireNYC program. In addition, the MTA has set a goal that at least 20 percent of the New York state workforce come from neighborhoods surrounding the project, including it in its newly created Local Hiring pilot.
These new investments also build on steps the Adams administration is taking in partnership with New York City Councilmember Sandy Nurse to foster inclusive growth around Broadway Junction with support for local businesses, nonprofits, and minority- and women-owned businesses to participate, including:
NYCEDC and MTA to Oversee Nearly $500 Million in Public Realm Improvements, Station Complex Improvements, and Accessibility Upgrades
Public and Private Investments to Generate $11.6 Billion in Economic Impact and Over 2,300 Jobs, With City and State Prioritizing Community Hiring
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a major public investment in the area around the Broadway Junction subway station in Brooklyn that will deliver vibrant public space, improve quality of life, create family-sustaining jobs, and unlock inclusive economic growth throughout East New York. Driving the plan is a $500 million investment in the community, including $400 million for accessibility upgrades at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Broadway Junction station complex, part of ongoing efforts to make the station a true regional transit center. The remainder is a $95 million investment to activate underutilized public spaces around the subway complex; improve street safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users; and create approximately one acre of new open space.
These investments build on a series of steps the city and state have taken to bring economic opportunities, services, and amenities to this long-underserved community. With these new public commitments and planned private investments around the Broadway Junction complex, the city is expected to see over $11.6 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, including opportunities for local businesses, nonprofits, and minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs). These new public realm investments alone are expected to generate over 2,300 construction jobs.
Public realm improvements surrounding Broadway Junction were a key initiative in Mayor Adams’ and New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s “New” New York action plan, “Making New York Work for Everyone,” which identified the area as an emerging jobs hub.
Within a 10-minute walk of the Broadway Junction station, more than 433 homes have recently been completed or are in construction, with more than 1,700 additional homes projected or permitted. Nearly all of the 433 homes are affordable to families earning less than 80 percent of area median income, and nearly 60 percent will be affordable for families earning less than 50 percent of area median income. All of the anticipated housing construction will have to meet affordability requirements under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing or are currently engaging with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to provide even greater affordability.
As part of the plan, NYCEDC will create two new public plazas on either side of Van Sinderen Avenue and Fulton Street, creating a new gateway entrance to the Broadway Junction station with new lighting, art, vending space, seating, and plantings. The project will also deliver streetscape improvements with new pedestrian safety measures, bike infrastructure, signage, and street furniture on Van Sinderen Avenue between Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue.
The MTA’s improvements will bring ADA accessibility to the entire Broadway Junction station, including transfers between the Fulton line A/C, Jamaica line J/Z, and Canarsie line L stations. The project also includes state-of-good-repair investments, including escalator replacements, and will create a new entrance with direct access to the L train on the east side of Van Sinderen Avenue.
With these new investments and connected projects, the city will create opportunities designated for local businesses. The city will set aside a minimum of 35 percent of design and construction contracts for of the public space around the Broadway Junction for M/WBE businesses, with an emphasis on targeting and certifying local minority, women, and other disadvantaged businesses in the community to become M/WBE-certified. The city will then prioritize these businesses for admission into the spring 2024 cohort of NYCEDC’s ConstructNYC program, which will help small and mid-sized firms become prequalified to work on these and other city construction projects.
At the same time, the city will reduce barriers for the local workforce to access training and new job opportunities coming out of this investment. The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will offer direct entry training programs, targeted outreach, and marketing of upcoming training and recruitment events at the East New York Workforce 1 Center and through the city’s HireNYC program. In addition, the MTA has set a goal that at least 20 percent of the New York state workforce come from neighborhoods surrounding the project, including it in its newly created Local Hiring pilot.
These new investments also build on steps the Adams administration is taking in partnership with New York City Councilmember Sandy Nurse to foster inclusive growth around Broadway Junction with support for local businesses, nonprofits, and minority- and women-owned businesses to participate, including:
- Phase one of the administration’s “City Agencies Revitalizing the Economy” (CARE) strategy, which will bring the area’s largest-ever commercial building, with the New York City Department of Social Services occupying space.
- The $21.6 million reconstruction of the Callahan-Kelly Playground, which is located next to Broadway Junction station and scheduled to reopen this spring — completely overhauling the three-acre park with new play equipment, upgraded sports courts, and a brand-new skate park.
- A request for proposals that NYCEDC will release in 2024 to activate a 20,000-square-foot lot on Sackman Street in the East New York industrial business zone to provide opportunities for local businesses and jobs.
- The launch of an opportunity to lease up to 10,000 square feet in the newly renovated East New York Industrial Building at 181 Powell Street later this year.
- An opportunity to lease a city-owned, 3,600-square-foot vacant lot on East New York Avenue.
The LDC's Brooklyn Women's Business Center (WBC) voted most outstanding women's business center by the SBA
| WBC Voted Best Center |
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“Finally, we have political leadership coming from Comptroller Lander and Mayor Adams placing a focus on growing procurement dollars allotted to MWBE companies instead of annual MWBE certifications,” said Bill Wilkins, Executive Director of the Local Development Corporation of East New York. “For decades, past administrations and relevant agencies interest was in reporting the annual increases in MWBE certifications and were missing the true mark of performance. This new approach will start to increase governments spend with MWBE companies and recycle dollars in black and brown communities. Additionally, a deeper dive needs to critically examine those city agencies that have a greater spend like NYC Design and Construction whose budget is $3 billion and ensure they reach their thresholds.”
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To read the Comptroller's full report visit https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/annual-report-on-mwbe-procurement/
Head of State A/W 2023 Runway Show
Head of State A/W 2023 Collection. Courtesy of Kerry Davis
Tuesday, February 14 at 7pm - NYC
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT & PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, February 14 at 7pm - NYC
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT & PRESS RELEASE
1510 Broadway Groundbreaking
November 2022
The Local Development Corporation East New York in conjunction with their for profit partner McQuesten, held a groundbreaking at 1510 Broadway on November 2, 2022. The project will produce 108 units of affordable housing, 10,000 SF of commercial space, and 4,500 SF of an outdoor green space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
In attendance was: Bill Wilkins (LDCENY),Rella Fogliano and Joe Apicella (McQuesten), Brendan McBride (Associate Commissioner HPD), Erin Buchanan (Deputy Director of Land Use HPD), Latrice Walker (Assembly Member), Genese Morgan (Chair of CPB 16).
Also in attendance was numerous companies from the EBBID including but not limited to: Filco Carting, Eastern Steel, Green Gage NYC, Solco Plumbing. The event was catered locally by Fusion East.
In attendance was: Bill Wilkins (LDCENY),Rella Fogliano and Joe Apicella (McQuesten), Brendan McBride (Associate Commissioner HPD), Erin Buchanan (Deputy Director of Land Use HPD), Latrice Walker (Assembly Member), Genese Morgan (Chair of CPB 16).
Also in attendance was numerous companies from the EBBID including but not limited to: Filco Carting, Eastern Steel, Green Gage NYC, Solco Plumbing. The event was catered locally by Fusion East.
NYS Seed Program Grant Opportunity
NY Seed Grant
The New York State Seed Funding Grant Program (the “Program”) was created to provide assistance to early-stage small businesses to succeed in a recovering New York State economy.
Be sure to apply ASAP as funding is very limited.
Grant Amounts:
For firms that have already filed a Federal Tax Return for operations:
Grant awards will be calculated based upon the annual amount of gross receipts as shown on their provided 2020 or 2021 business tax return.
For firms that have NOT filed a Federal Tax Return for operations thus far:
How will you know if you were awarded a grant?
The application process for this program contains multiple stages of validation. You must first meet the program’s minimum eligibility requirements in order to be considered for a grant.
Important Note: Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee a grant award.
Once you are determined to be eligible for this program, your application will then go through final validation to determine if you are approved or declined for funding. As part of this validation process, you will be required to confirm certain information live over the telephone. A member of Lendistry’s team will reach out to you directly to complete this process.
Once your application is fully validated, you will receive an email from Lendistry to notify you if you have been approved or declined for grant funding.
Click here to learn more and to apply!
The New York State Seed Funding Grant Program (the “Program”) was created to provide assistance to early-stage small businesses to succeed in a recovering New York State economy.
Be sure to apply ASAP as funding is very limited.
Grant Amounts:
For firms that have already filed a Federal Tax Return for operations:
Grant awards will be calculated based upon the annual amount of gross receipts as shown on their provided 2020 or 2021 business tax return.
- Businesses with $5,000 and up to $49,999.99 in gross receipts: Award is $5,000/business.
- Businesses with $50,000 – $99,999.99 in gross receipts: Award is $10,000/business.
- Businesses with $100,000 – $1,000,000 in gross receipts: Award is 10% of gross receipts with a maximum grant amount of $25,000/business.
For firms that have NOT filed a Federal Tax Return for operations thus far:
- Award is $5,000/business.
How will you know if you were awarded a grant?
The application process for this program contains multiple stages of validation. You must first meet the program’s minimum eligibility requirements in order to be considered for a grant.
Important Note: Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee a grant award.
Once you are determined to be eligible for this program, your application will then go through final validation to determine if you are approved or declined for funding. As part of this validation process, you will be required to confirm certain information live over the telephone. A member of Lendistry’s team will reach out to you directly to complete this process.
Once your application is fully validated, you will receive an email from Lendistry to notify you if you have been approved or declined for grant funding.
Click here to learn more and to apply!
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Delivering on Promise From Mayor's Economic Recovery Blueprint, New "City Agencies Revitalizing the Economy" Strategy Will Locate City Agency Offices in Key Neighborhoods to Help Create Local Jobs
As Part of First Phase, Mayor and Partners Break Ground on Largest Commercial Building in Broadway Junction Area of East New York |
Click on any of the two images below to be directed to the registration page for the
East New York Economic Summit.
East New York Economic Summit.
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Business Education Walking Tour
September 11, 2020
The LDCENY, in conjunction with New York City Department of Consumer Affairs and Small Business Services toured New Lots Avenue from Pennsylvania Ave to Cleveland Street in an effort to make merchants aware of post COVID compliance requirements.
The delegation toured and educated over 40, “Mom and Pop” establishments to keep the East New York community safe. The merchants were pleasantly surprised and pleased. See photos of event below.
The delegation toured and educated over 40, “Mom and Pop” establishments to keep the East New York community safe. The merchants were pleasantly surprised and pleased. See photos of event below.
