Company: Harlem Baking Company

 Charles Devigne was born in France and moved to Pennsylvania at the age of 11. He started working in the restaurant industry at 14, first as a dishwasher and moving up through various roles. After high school, hoping to give back to his adoptive country and to help pay for college, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. While serving as a Bulk Fuel Engineer as a reservist he attended Kutztown University, earning a degree in Fine Arts. In 2015, after moving to NYC, Charles co-purchased the Lexington Pizza Parlour in East Harlem, doubling its sales in three years. During the pandemic, the restaurant never closed and through his community relationships, he was able to raise enough funding to provide over 18,000 meals to healthcare workers throughout NYC. During the pandemic Charles launched the Harlem Baking Company, offering premium restaurant-quality desserts in glass jars that could be enjoyed at home.

Company: EQWAL Footing Boot Company

 Natasha Norie Standard gained the leadership, management and organizational skills that support her as founder and CEO of a thriving footwear company from an unusual source:  the United States Army. While serving in the United State Army she earned the Bronze Star and served her country as a Airborne Logistics Officer, during her service she visited 54 countries. EQWAL Footing developed the first military combat boots designed specifically for women. Surprisingly, female service members today still wear boots designed for men. EQWAL Footing was selected by the business accelerator NYU Tandon Veteran’s Future Lab and was endorsed by Senator Joni Erst and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. Committed to supporting her community, she created the Norie Foundation which mentors high school students who have aged out of the foster care system. She is a member of The Links, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Company: Citi Fades Barbershop

 Enrique is a first generation American, born and raised in Staten Island, NY. After graduating high school, he joined the Navy and had the honor of serving for 4 years. After being honorably discharged, Enrique’s plan was to pursue his dreams of becoming a barber and one day running his own barbershop. In 2012, he decided to make barbering his full-time career and earned his barbers license from the American Barber Institute in New York City. He started working in a barbershop on Staten Island where he learned the basics of cutting hair, styling, and shaving. In February 2023, his dream came to fruition as he opened his own barbershop in Staten Island called Citi Fades Barbershop & SMP.

Company: Mecca’s City of Wholeness LLC

 Dr. Mecca Nelson is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Mecca’s City of Wholeness, dedicated to health and wellness advocacy. Her journey took a heart-wrenching turn when she lost her husband, U.S. Army Expert Infantryman Sgt. Mario Nelson, in combat on October 1, 2006. The incident, where a grenade struck his tank, forever altered Dr. Mecca's life. Sgt. Nelson, an immigrant from Haiti, served his country with honor, including during the 9/11 crisis. This profound loss ignited Dr. Mecca's mission to empower others through community outreach and trauma-informed mental health advocacy. She established the YOMA Method, integrating yoga, martial arts, and meditation to promote healing. She is also a two-time best-selling Author. In honor of her husband’s legacy, Dr. Mecca founded the nonprofit Humble Haitian Warrior Inc., uplifting Gold Star families through storytelling and community support. A street named Sgt.Mario Nelson Way commemorates him.

Company: Flickinger Glassworks

 Eric Powell served in the US Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006, with two deployments to Iraq. His time in service forged an entrepreneurial spirit, teaching him to use agile problem-solving skills and lead in high-pressure environments. Afterward, he attended Babson College, recognized for its entrepreneurial focus. In New York, he built a successful digital marketing career, eventually becoming a global agency's VP of Operations. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, he sought a new direction, leading him to connect with Charles Flickinger, founder of Flickinger Glassworks. United by shared values of respect for history, craftsmanship, and commitment to their team, Eric assumed leadership when Charles retired in 2022. Since then, he’s focused on modernizing operations, diversifying product offerings, and setting the company on a path for growth.

Company: Words Warriors LLC

Myles B. Caggins III is a seasoned public relations executive—a words warrior—with nearly three decades of national security leadership and business experience. In 2021, Myles founded Words Warriors LLC and established operations in New York City, upon retiring from the U.S. Army as a colonel in 2023. Words Warriors provides specialized interpretation and translation services, public relations strategy, and implements projects in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region for government and private sector clients. He served three, year-long, combat tours; most recently as spokesman for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Myles earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Hampton University; and a master’s in public relations from Georgetown University. He is on the board of directors of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and, also, the New York Kurdish Cultural Center. He is a life member in the Council on Foreign Relations and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Company: Barton Rogers Group

Daniel LaMarco is an Air Force Veteran and the founder of Barton Rogers Group.  Barton Rogers Group is focused on enhancing Digital Signage, Wayfinding & Kiosks that empower individuals with disabilities using a combination of AI, software, data, hardware devices and integration.  It was while volunteering at the Veterans National Wheelchair games that he witnessed the resilience Veterans and the disabled display on a daily basis to overcome accessibility barriers.  Using design thinking principles along with recent and pending legislative changes, the potential to help those who have been marginalized because of their disability has never been greater.  

Dan has extensive corporate IT leadership experience including startups such as JetBlue and EOS Airlines.  His friends describe him as relentless, innovative and passionate about service to others.  Mr. LaMarco also serves on the board of the Romanian American Chamber of Commerce-IT.   Barton Rogers Group motto is "making Accessibility...Accessible". 

Company: Harlem Standard

Brian DiMarco, a 30-year New Yorker and Founder of Harlem Standard Whiskey began his career in advertising, managing brands like Procter & Gamble, Panasonic, and Canon Cameras. His passion for the food and beverage industry led to leadership roles at companies such as Anheuser-Busch and McCann-Erickson Worldwide, where he worked with iconic brands like Budweiser and Bacardi. In 2020, Brian launched Harlem Standard American Whiskey, an award-winning brand that pays tribute to Harlem's legacy of diversity, music, and creativity. Founded by Harlem natives, the whiskey draws inspiration from the Prohibition era and embodies the neighborhood's rich cultural heritage. Brian credits his time in the U.S. Navy with advancing his worldview, fostering his growth and maturity, and shaping his disciplined approach to business and life. Harlem Standard reflects his vision of blending tradition with innovation and aiming to establish itself as a global leader in the whiskey world.

Company: Telecommunication Electrical Contractors LLC

Francisco Bueso Jr is an innovative professional with 25+ years of expertise in telecommunications and electrical projects, including over 10 years in management roles. Francisco’s enthusiasm and passion reflect in his ability to manage multiple projects, increase worker productivity and maintain field competency. After entering the prestigious Local Union No. 3, IBEW program, Francisco enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserves where he served from 1998 to his honorable discharge in 2006. He was attached to 2nd Battalion 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, Garden City, NY. After September 11th, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom. Once Francisco completed the rigorous 5.5-year long apprenticeship, he worked in the capacity of Journeyman, Sub-Foreman, Foreman and General Foreman. Francisco’s last project in Local Union No. 3 was as a General Foreman, supervising a $15M fiber optic network infrastructure project at the New LaGuardia Airport. Now, Francisco as President of Telecommunication Electric Contractors LLC (TEC LLC) attributes his work ethics and positive company culture to the core values instilled while serving in the USMC and Code of Ethics of Local Union No. 3, IBEW.

Company: Qiqo Inc. powering a network of B2B Marketplaces for Trade Associations

After his military service with the US Army, Lucas Cioffi, a self-taught engineer with a passion for community building, launched Qiqo, a virtual event platform built on top of Zoom. When demand spiked during the pandemic, Sandra Nam joined Lucas to scale Qiqo, serving over 200,000 users for trade associations and government clients. As COVID eased, they identified a new market need: custom digital marketplaces for associations, offering year-round engagement and revenue from live demo days, fairs, and trade shows.

Today, Lucas and Sandra are introducing The Association Marketplace, a customizable, revenue-share platform for associations. It aggregates content from industry-specific sources—such as podcasts, job listings, news, and events—while creating a social space that extends annual trade shows into vibrant, ongoing digital exchanges.

Lucas Cioffi, Co-Founder & CTO, is a West Point graduate and Army Ranger with five years of military service, including one year in a combat zone. Lucas built Qiqo, driving $1 million in revenue over four years. 

Sandra Nam, CoFounder & CEO, is a veteran spouse and brings expertise in branding, project management, and community engagement. A graduate of the University of Chicago with an MLA from Virginia Tech, Sandra led Qiqo through NYU’s Veterans Future Lab and Element 46 accelerator programs.

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: 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: 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.