Company: Justlanded Solar

Aleks Bezginas is a musician, inventor, and entrepreneur. In 2005 he launched Empire Rock, an eco-friendly multimedia production company that creates original songs, videos and eco-educational projects to promote environmental awareness and healthy lifestyle. He is the CEO of Justlanded Solar and recently received a patent for a solar guitar, a self-sustained musical instrument solely powered by the sun. The solar guitar is a unique product whereby the body of the guitar functions as a solar panel which can generate electricity to power a built-in amplifier and processor with speakers. Aleks has called New York City home since 1990. An Empire State College graduate with a BA in Arts and Entertainment, he’s composed more than 50 original songs, including “Solar Power”, “For the Joy of Being Free”, “ Magic Garden”, and has produced numerous music videos. He’s a Manhattan Neighborhood Network TV certified producer.

Company: Cooking With Ayana

Ayana is the visionary owner of Cooking With Ayana LLC, a culinary enterprise and cultural hub dedicated to preserving ancestral recipes and celebrating the rich heritage of Southern and Caribbean cuisine through curated, immersive, catering experiences with historical narratives. In addition, Ayana offers personal chef services and a mobile kitchen. With a background in social work, mental health and human services, Ayana combines her passion for food with a deep understanding of community needs. Her journey with catering began as a personal healing experience, using the therapeutic power of cooking to overcome challenges. Today, Ayana is a Mental Health First Aid Responder and a dedicated advocate for mental health, using her culinary platform to promote well-being and inclusivity. She challenges negative narratives associated with NYCHA and the differently-abled as a 3-time Regina A. Figueroa Memorial NYCHA-CUNY Scholar and Queensbridge Scholarship Fund awardee.

Company: Love Letters To My Mother

Zinarta Judea Cruse is a Producer, Film Director, and Creative Entrepreneur. She is the CEO/Founder of “Love Letters To My Mother” a production company specializing in Film & TV Script Development. She is excited to execute the company's mission to increase representation for Women of Color in Production. She recently served for multiple years as Executive Chair of the Community Advisory Board of the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, a leader in healthcare services to the LGBTQIA community in New York City. She has volunteered as a Certified Crisis Counselor and Patient Advocate working in the ER with survivors of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Sex Trafficking. She is a proud member of First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem and regularly participates in community-focused activities.

Company: Empress By Emicia

Emicia Parker is an award-winning educator, community leader, multihyphenate and classically-trained fine artist. Emicia earned her Master’s in Organizational Leadership with honors and then went on to focus on entrepreneurship by completing the WE NYC Kauffman FastTrac program and the BE NYC StartUp Intensive. She launched her own online art boutique, Empress by Emicia, in November 2022 after completing her Fine Arts certification at Pratt Institute. Her work has been featured in exhibits across New York including at Haus of Gold Gallery and she has been chosen twice to tour with The Black Girl Art Show, the largest touring exhibit of Black women artists in the country. Emicia has taught workshops in NYC public schools since 2014 and now teaches art therapy workshops in schools and with various community-based organizations. She recently secured her first contract teaching art therapy at Brooklyn Public Library and seeks to expand to other libraries as well as children’s hospitals and juvenile detention centers. She is completing a certification in Trauma-Informed Art Therapy to further her mission of empowering underserved youth and introducing her community to the healing power of art.

Company: Saving Minds Eternally

Saving Minds Eternally (SME) is an organization founded with a mission to provide participants with academic strategies that foster self-sufficiency, confidence and most importantly, solutions.

SME uses project-based learning experience where students are provided resources, guidance, and intellectual tools to understand the need for self-sufficiency, math proficiency and financial literacy in the real world. Tashé Williams is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn. Navigating her way through NYC public schools and Foster Care system, Tashé then earned a Business degree from Howard University. After kick starting her career in Public Accounting she ultimately decided to leave the firm to pursue entrepreneurship. Her journey started as a private Math tutor and later transitioned into what now operates as Saving Minds Eternally (SME). In addition to leading SME, Tashé serves the Finance

department for an organization in the nonprofit sector. Above all, her biggest priority is to give back in a way that affects current and future generations.

Company: Cellful

Alton Weekes, is a service-connected combat Navy veteran, the Founder & Chief Juicing Officer of CELLFUL LLC, a cold pressed juice company that was started during the COVID-19 pandemic, that helps you detox, cleanse and restore your body systems. After having his own health challenges and faced with a bleak prognosis following a cardiac event, he wanted to find a way to heal himself naturally. So he started juicing and discovered the power of plant medicine. Today, Weekes is a certified juice therapist, holistic health practitioner, and a transformational and motivation coach.

Company: Sisterly Strands

Kiara and Kiana are the driving forces behind Sisterly Strands, a trailblazing herbal hair care brand. Their vision is to advocate for healthy, natural hair for women and children, empowering the community with valuable knowledge and nourishing products that elevate hair wellness and overall lifestyle. Through personalized consultations and a commitment to natural ingredients, Sisterly Strands transforms beauty standards with its holistic approach to hair care.

Company: Compassionate Cleaning

Davina Furbert founded Compassionate Cleaning in 2018 when working with a neighbor to prepare their home for an ACS (Administration for Children's Services) visit. This experience led Davina to recognize a bigger need in her community-- to create a healthy and clean home while also supporting people with mental health needs. Today, Compassionate Cleaning works to upgrade the living standards for people who are struggling with their mental health, with a caring and judgement free approach.