Southeast Queens Events
This Weekend 5/15 - 5/17
Queens, New York — Entrepreneurs, small business owners, corporate leaders, nonprofits, innovators, and economic development organizations from across New York City, Long Island, and beyond will gather for one of the region’s most anticipated business networking and empowerment events at the National Small Business Expo “New York Edition” on June 11, 2026, at the Rochdale Village Ballroom in Queens, NY, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The National Small Business Expo – New York Edition is designed to serve as a high-impact platform that strengthens business connections between local communities, the greater New York metropolitan region, and national business networks.
The event will unite emerging entrepreneurs, established businesses, corporate partners, chambers of commerce, government agencies, community organizations, and industry leaders to create opportunities for growth, collaboration, procurement, innovation, and long-term economic development.
Rose Ward, Owner, NFocus Management Group, LLC
“The National Small Business Expo – New York Edition is more than an event it is a catalyst for opportunity, collaboration, and economic empowerment. This Expo creates a powerful space where entrepreneurs, corporations, nonprofits, and community leaders can come together to build meaningful relationships that strengthen businesses locally, regionally, and nationally. We are excited to help connect innovators and changemakers from New York City, Long Island, and beyond for maximum impact.” Rose Ward Owner, NFocus Management Group, LLC
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and the National Small Business Expo – New York Edition is designed to open doors, create access, and expand opportunities for entrepreneurs across diverse industries.
By bringing together businesses from New York City, Long Island, and national markets, we are creating an environment where strategic partnerships, economic growth, supplier diversity, and innovation can thrive. This Expo represents the future of collaborative business development.” Phil Andrews, Founding President, The New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
SAN DIEGO, CA — May 4, 2026 — Renee Ayo Williams, a clinical research scientist with over 25 years of experience, has officially launched CycleSync, a groundbreaking AI-powered health advocacy platform. Built specifically to protect Black women from medical dismissal and maternal mortality, CycleSync gives women the exact tools they need to demand better care.
The launch comes at a critical time. Black women in the United States currently die from pregnancy-related complications at three times the rate of white women. Too often, their voices are ignored.
The Chesapeake Regional Wake-Up Call
For Williams, the need for a protective shield became undeniable after a shocking lawsuit in Virginia. More than 500 former patients are currently suing Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, alleging the hospital allowed an OB-GYN to perform unnecessary and uninformed surgeries—including hysterectomies—on women for years.
"When I read about women waking up from surgery not knowing why they were operated on, it solidified my mission," says Williams, who holds a Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) credential. "I am a scientist, but I am also a Black woman who has navigated this healthcare system. I built CycleSync so we have documented proof of our health, making it much harder for doctors to dismiss us or push us into procedures we do not need."
MSS Francois to Headline District 119 Toastmasters Spring Conference 2026 at LaGuardia Marriott
EAST ELMHURST, NY — April 24, 2026 — A powerful voice in personal transformation, women’s empowerment, and purpose-driven success is set to take center stage in Queens this weekend. MSS Francois—CEO, media personality, and dynamic motivational speaker—will serve as the keynote speaker at the highly anticipated District 119 Toastmasters Spring Conference 2026, taking place Saturday, April 25 at the New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott.
Known for her bold authenticity and magnetic presence, MSS Francois has built a growing platform rooted in resilience, reinvention, and healing. Her name—MSS, meaning “Multi-talented and Super Sexy”—is more than a moniker; it reflects a philosophy of confidence, self-worth, and unapologetic personal growth that she brings to every stage she touches.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in a single-parent household, Francois migrated to the United States as a teenager and faced significant challenges, including homelessness. Through determination and vision, she transformed adversity into opportunity—earning two master’s degrees, rising into leadership roles within the finance sector, and ultimately building a thriving media and business brand.
Today, she is widely recognized as the creator and host of The Mss Francois Show, a groundbreaking series with more than 75 episodes that blend humor, emotional wellness, and real-life relationship insight. A Toastmasters Humorous Speech Champion, Francois has mastered the art of using laughter as both therapy and strategy—helping audiences break through fear, rediscover their voice, and unlock new levels of personal and professional success.