In celebration of Girls’s Historical past Month, BKLYN Commons in affiliation with NYBeauty Suites hosted a festive soiree celebrating all issues ladies. The night kicked off with an awards ceremony honoring trailblazing, wellness, and beauty-preneurs who’re making excellent strides within the magnificence and wellness house. Magnificence & Wellness-preneurs honorees included from left – Ashley Taylor; Kerryann Bertrand; Dede Dia; Marissia Malcolm; Virhonjeale Sherdan-Matteson; Shantini Alleyne-Cooper and Niara Mullings.
Picture by Gantry Studios
In celebration of Girls’s Historical past Month, BKLYN Commons, in affiliation with NYBeauty Suites, hosted on March 15 a “festive soiree celebrating all issues ladies.”
Keith L. Forest, the African-American-born senior guide on the Flatbush-based BKLYN Commons, advised Caribbean Life on Friday that the gathering occurred at BKLYN Commons’ newest enterprise – Widespread Floor Market – a collaborative, community-based weekend popup, “the place native makers and creators come collectively to buy, develop and study.”
Hosted by Haitian-born Johanne Brierre, BKLYN Commons chief govt officer and NYBeauty Suites founder, Forest mentioned the occasion included “a festive cocktail reception that featured home-blended, craft cocktails from Hibiscus Brew, a neighborhood café within the space owned and operated by Allison Dunn.”
He mentioned the occasion additionally included “delicious” hors d’oeuvres and treats from women-lead eateries Makina Café, 2 Women and a Cookshop, and Brie on the Chrisme.
“The night kicked off with an awards ceremony honoring trailblazing, wellness, and ‘beauty-preneurs’ who’re making excellent strides within the magnificence and wellness house,” Forest mentioned.
He mentioned New York Metropolis Council Members Rita Joseph, Haitian-born, and Farah Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, have been readily available to current “these unimaginable ladies with citations in recognition to the outstanding contribution they’ve made of their chosen fields.”
The honorees included Shantini Alleyne-Cooper, Niara Mullings, Samantha Frank-Beckford, Marissia Malcolm, Kerryann Bertrand Ashley Taylor, Dede Dia, and Virhonjeale “Vee” Sheridan-Matteson.
The honorees additionally acquired citations from New York State Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie, consultant for the 20th Senate District in Brooklyn, and New York State Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, the Jamaican-American consultant for the 43rd Meeting District, additionally in Brooklyn. Myrie’s grandmother additionally hailed from Jamaica.
On behalf of Cunningham, whose mom is a Jamaican immigrant, Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants. offered the Pure Coiffure and Braiding Coalition with a particular proclamation, Forest mentioned.
With a mission to raise the artwork and science of pure hair and braiding whereas offering secure choices for chemical-free companies by means of its 4 pillars – advocacy and activism; moral training; enterprise improvement; and group well being and security – Forest mentioned the Natural Hairstyle & Braiding Coalition (NHBC) has been “on the forefront pioneering laws that empowers, uplift whereas culturally embracing and honoring, the Diasporic pure hair care trade.”
In attendance to just accept the honors have been founders Diane C. Bailey, Diane De Costa, Erin H. Maybin, and Natasha Gaspard.
Forest mentioned Brierre, together with Joseph and Louis, additionally acknowledged a couple of “unsung group heroes.” Dale Charles, govt director of Mattress-Stuy Gateway BID, and Ritha Pierre, regulation skilled and media entrepreneur, acquired flowers for his or her “unwavering assist in uplifting and supporting black- and women-owned companies.”
Forest mentioned the night ended with a reside panel dialogue entitled “Enterprise Reimagined: Pioneering Pathways for Tomorrow.”
Moderated by Kela Walker, Forest mentioned panelists included Mandy Bowman, founder/CEO, Official Black Wall Road; Tanyette Colon, founder/CEO, In-FUUSE; Keisha Hickson, CEO, Hickson Company, Inc.; Kelly Ifill, founder/CEO, Guava Monetary Companies; and Kahlilah Webster, co-founder/managing accomplice, MVP Accelerator, Inc.
Forest mentioned BKLYN Commons, positioned at 495 Flatbush Avenue, is “central Brooklyn’s premiere enterprise hub,” which “gives coworking house for a various group of small enterprise house owners, entrepreneurs and creatives.”
By way of its community of group stakeholders, he mentioned the group extends sources and technical assist which have aided main Brooklyn-based startups, corresponding to The Gentleman Manufacturing unit, Church buildings United for Truthful Housing (CUFFH), Good Name, Marcy Labs, Katra Movies, and others to scale, thrive and succeed.
“At BKLYN Commons, you’re greater than a member; you’re a part of a group,” Forest mentioned.
