NYCHApreneurs Attend Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Apollo 

After attending Black Entrepreneurs Day — an event organized by Daymond John, founder and CEO of FUBU and co-star of the popular ABC show Shark Tank — NYCHA resident entrepreneur Latasha McKie is inspired to network, promote, and take her catering business Tee Mack Cooking to the next level. 

Ms. McKie is a Patterson Houses resident currently in the 10th cohort of Food Business Pathways, a free business development training program that helps NYCHA residents and Section 8 voucher holders achieve their dreams of starting or growing their own food businesses.   

In addition to Ms. McKie, 17 other NYCHA resident entrepreneurs were provided the opportunity to attend Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Apollo on October 21, which featured Mr. John in one-on-one conversations with Black business leaders and cultural icons such as Anthony Anderson, Cari Champion, Cedric the Entertainer, Ice-T, Whoopi Goldberg, and others. There was also a performance by Rick Ross and the presentation of the 2023 NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant to nine Black entrepreneurs and small business owners, who were each awarded $25,000 to grow their businesses. 

“I’m hoping to be on that stage next year as a winner of $25,000 for my business,” Ms. McKie said. “That night at the Apollo was a night I will never forget. I was able to gain so much knowledge and to see where some of these people came from, to be Black in America and see where they are now – I was in a room full of millionaires. I was able to rub shoulders with the big dogs. I had my business cards with me and networked. Ice-T signed my book. I met Daymond John’s wife and then Daymond John came over. I told him I cook and do at-home catering and that I was so nervous to talk to him; he told me, ‘You just did a pitch for me. Keep growing.’ This taught me to never be afraid and always promote, promote, promote your business.” 

“We thank our partner, Charles Fisher, for providing budding NYCHApreneurs with an opportunity to learn from leading Black entrepreneurs,” said Ukah Busgith, NYCHA’s Executive Vice President of Resident Services, Partnerships, and Initiatives (RSPI). “This level of access and exposure encourages residents to dream big. RSPI is committed to working with our partners to empower residents in their creative and business pursuits.” 

Also in attendance was Carver Houses resident Courtney Story, who brought her 16-year-old daughter Kiahna Harris with her. Ms. Story graduated from Food Business Pathways in 2016 and is the owner of a catering business, Cooking by Courtney, which recently began selling an all-purpose soul food seasoning without added salt. 

“I want to go every year to this event,” Ms. Story said. “I’ve always watched and admired Daymond John, so hearing the things he went through and where he is right now was so good. Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson have a barbecue and spice line and just hearing the tips they gave was inspirational. I learned every failure isn’t bad; it’s a learning lesson and you learn what you need to do or not do from it. I also watched the event again on the livestream, and hearing those words of wisdom again put me in a different headspace. I’m going to stay focused.” 

Ms. Story’s daughter is a budding entrepreneur who was excited to receive helpful advice from celebrities she admires. “I’m trying to start my own business in cosmetology and I learned many things that could help me for my future business, such as failing doesn’t make you weak or less than and to be smart about how you present yourself to the world because you never know who’s watching or what opportunities you could possibly be missing out on.” 

The Black Entrepreneurs Day event was streamed on November 1; the recording is available to watch here. 

NYCHA residents and Section 8 voucher holders interested in learning how to start their own businesses or receiving support growing their businesses should contact NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) at 718-289-8100 or visit http://opportunitynycha.org. 

Featured photo caption: Daymond John speaks onstage with actor/comedian/television host Whoopi Goldberg, who is a former NYCHA resident.