2020 Cohort

Duane M. Johnson has been streamlining Supply Chain operations in America and Asia for over three decades. As Founder and CEO of Aukee Trading Company, Duane is a trusted partner in a robust and dynamic marketplace of ideas, technology, and new challenges. He has built a reputation for his unparalleled ability to offer complete logistical and  brokerage needs […]

Urcilina Grammont was born in Long Island City, NY on January 30, 1977. Soon after her birth, her family moved to Haiti and stayed there until she was 4 years old. She has always had a connection with Haiti as she often visited during the summers. Not only did she love the carefree life of the tropical country […]

Deon Brown encourages having a passion for personal development and actively participating in regional professional group meetings to stay current with new trends and innovation in business. Deon is a leader, visionary, former Adjunct professor, entrepreneur and has over 25 years’ experience in Human Resources with a focus on recruiting. Deon believes her soul purpose […]

Joshua M. Pahl Sr is the President and Senior Operations Manager of Integrity Communication Technologies, a Commercial and Residential Electronic Security and IT firm located in Long Island, New York. We have been able to provide exceptional services for large and small clients throughout the Tri-State area for Security and IT.  Joshua Pahl’s commercial projects have ranged from […]

Entrepreneurship has always been Nelson’s passion. At only nineteen years of age, while pursuing his undergraduate degree at Nassau Community college, he decided to purchase a local convenience store within his neighborhood. Two years later, he increased the value of that business and sold it for more than three times Its original price. This enabled him to make […]

L&RP Cleaning Services LLC has been in business since 2017, performing outstanding cleaning services to both commercial and residential clientele. We service the New York Metropolitan area as well as Long Island and are proud to be operating as a certified Minority Women Business Enterprise. Ronnica Poole, President of L&RP Cleaning Services, has over 30 […]

Born in 1978 to two hardworking Trinidadian parents who loved their culture and instilled values of ambition, faith, family, and living within one’s means, the stage was set for Keita Charles to be a leader.  As a child, he always expressed interest in business. First, he started selling candy in school. Then he sold clothes, music, cars, […]

Wunmi Green is the president and owner of QDM Enterprise Inc., Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) Home Care Service.  Wunmi’s goal is to help my clients age well and independently in the comfort of their own home. She gives a deep client-relationship and compassionate service to my clients.  Wunmi is a retired New York City Correction Officer dedicated […]

Marie Saint-Cyr received a BFA in Fine Arts and a minor in Art History from the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2018, Marie participated in The Downtown Brooklyn Arts Management Fellowship, a collaboration between four prominent Brooklyn arts and culture organizations: where she learned about core areas of arts management, including Development, Marketing/Community Engagement, Education, Curatorial/Programming, Production/Tech, and Administration/Finance.  […]

Matthew Rhoden-CEO of Spurst Beverages-is an American born entrepreneur, holds a Bachelors of Science from Penn State class of 1992. He started his professional career working in finance for the 1993 NYC Mayoral campaign. Soon thereafter he pursued a career in technology and analytics for wall street firms serving 15 years. Started Krisp and Kool Distributors in 2005 which […]

Frederick Towles is the founder of The Towles Group Inc. He began his career as a fund accountant with Chase Manhattan Bank. From there he transitioned to an internal auditing position at Saint Joseph’s College in New York. He has also taught accounting and business courses at both Saint Joseph’s College and Long Island Business Institute.  […]

Elizabeth Wellington is the Vice President of Wellie the Transporter LLC, and has been in business since 2004 as a minority business owner. Wellie the Transporter LLC, serves clients regionally. They focus on quality cost saving services and ensure adherence to external customer requirements through timely movement of freights. Elizabeth slashed administration cost 30% by […]