See Why Phil Andrews Leader Of The Largest Black Chamber Of Commerce In NYS Wins Highly Respected SBA Champion Award

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New York State’s Largest African American Chamber Of Commerce President Phil Andrews Awarded As The 2019 Small Business Champion By The NY District Office Of The SBA

New York, New York – On May 7, 2019 the Small Business Administration’s New York District Office awarded the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.’s President Phil Andrews as the 2019 Small Business Champion for the New York District office at the Microsoft Office in New York City. The New York District Office covers 14 counties in Downstate, New York.

Selection Criteria for champion:

1) Demonstrated efforts to improve conditions in the small business community as a whole, not solely for individual personal advancement;

2) Demonstrated accomplishments in advising small business groups of opportunities within the overall business community;

3) Volunteer efforts beyond business/professional responsibilities to advance small business interests within the community, state and/or nation;

4) Volunteer efforts to provide professional services to the small business community in a legal, legislative, managerial or financial capacity;

5) Other accomplishments/recognition demonstrating the nominee’s merit as an effective advocate for small business interests “This is significant milestone for the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

(LIAACC) to be named Small Business Champion in the New District of the Small Business Administration.  The New York District Office is responsible for the delivery of the SBA’s many programs and services in New York City, Long Island, and the downstate counties of Duchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester.

We will use this honor as an inspiration to continue to service the small business owners in our service territory which is currently the four counties of Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk. As we continue the next phase of growth our goal is to help companies grow to the next level.” Phil Andrews, President – Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Learn Why SE Queens Scoop Co-Publisher nZinga Austin Is Being Honored With Youth Of The Year Award

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nZinga Austin To Be Honored With Youth Of The Year Award For Co-Publishing The Southeast Queens Scoop News Blog 

nZinga Austin will be Awarded "Youth Of The Year Award By Complete Girlz Inc., For Tickets: Click Here

By Kamau Austin, Publisher of The Southeast Queens Scoop

My daughter, nZinga Austin, Co-publisher of the Southeast Queens Scoop, will receive the "Youth Of The Year Award," along with a  group of outstanding teenage girls in Southeast Queens with exceptional  accomplishments.  I may be a little bias but she deserves it!

She is being honored for helping the community by publishing the Scoop despite her autism challenges.  She is challenging the autism label.

She  is an amazing young person in my opinion.  She illustrates the special  gifts persons on the autism spectrum bring to our society -- if we let  them shine!

I thank God for allowing me to parent this strong resilient spirit.  It hasn't always been easy.  However, she is making  her mark on society.  About 2 years ago I told her about the major  media's characterization of our community being primarily a negative and  problematic place.

She  agreed with me, based on what she saw in the major media, and we started a local blog to show case the positive and important cultural and  economic developments in our local community.  This blog is growing to  have a global reach.

Out of almost 2,050 article and event postings on  our blog she's posted almost 1,500 of them in addition to running her own blogs.

Discover How This Special Dad And His Son On The Autism Spectrum Created Super Heroes To Learn By

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Led Bradshaw And His Son Jacob Create Super Hero Series To Help Educate Special Needs Kids 

Led Bradshaw and his son Jacob Co-creators of the Jet Jetpulse Comic Superhero Learning Series. Interview by Kamau Austin with Led Bradshaw.

Led Bradshaw is a quintessential father and then some.  His love for his son on the autism spectrum Jacob, and his commitment to help him succeed is also complimented by his concern for helping other children with similar challenges.

Bradshaw discovered a way to use his talent for art and drawing to connect on a profound level to help his son to learn using his love of superheroes.  I was able to get Led to take time from his busy parenting and professional schedule to answer some questions on the innovative and inspirational development of the Jake Jetpulse comic superhero educational series.

Interview with Led Bradshaw 

Kamau: Can you tell us a little about your background and your son's life growing up?

Led Bradshaw: I'm a Brooklyn born comic book artist/writer, graphic artist and Level 1 Teaching Assistant. Art is my life and it presents me with a ton of challenges yet none are more challenging or exciting than being a single father to an amazing 7 year old boy named Jacob.

Ever since I was I a kid, all I ever wanted was to draw comic books or saturday morning cartoons. It was always in my dreams. That's all I ever wanted.

Autism became a part of my life when Jake was diagnosed at the age of four. I created Jetpulse comics by embracing his special interests and pull him into learning.

Jake created the story for Jake Jetpulse through illustrations that he drew and hung on the refrigerator. After school, we'd sit and draw together for 30 minutes everyday.

Kamau: What inspired you to go into developing your comic book series with your son?

Led Bradshaw: before Jake was diagosed with autism, His mother and I noticed that he was having difficulties paying attention and learning in class. He was very self-directed and spent a great deal of time focusing on superheroes. Understanding this subject as his special interest, I incorporated 25 minute art activities into his daily routine.

At first, we focused on understanding emotions with colors. Then using those colors to communicate our mood in pictures. After several weeks of this, Jake started drawing himself as a caped superhero named "Ultra-Jake".

I encouraged him to draw more pictures of Jake and his superhero adventure. We worked together to flesh out the world that his character lives in, his strengths, weaknesses, as well as his allies and villains.

The "Ultra-Jake" character became such a big part of him; So much, that he'd dress up like his character to play. That's when I got the idea to draw the character myself and include his daily homework into the adventure.

Kamau: What is the name of your comic series and some of the leading characters?

Led Bradshaw: The name of our comic book series is "The New Adventures of Jake Jetpulse" with Jake as the main hero. he's joined by his best friends, Julia Santiago and Marrz the Troll. The characters were created to represent the three characteristics of autism.

Julia Santiago is the brains of the team. Her incredible intellect and knowledge of everything technical makes her an incredibly valuable member of the team. She's more into building fighting robots than hanging out at the mall with her friends.

Marrz is a member of a race of beings who dwell in the "Under-Boroughs" of New York City. they're a noble race of trolls who live to protect an ancient suit of armor that, if in the wrong hands, could spell doom for everyone on the planet. While lost and hungry on the surface, Marrz gets in trouble by stealing Julia's lunchbox. Jake helps Marrz return the stolen lunchbox and Julia forgives him for taking it and offers to help the giant troll. This is how they become friends.

Discover How The Nourish Spot Serves Up Divinely Inspired Healthy Food Portions In Southeast Queens NYC

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With Divine Inspiration Dawn Kelly's Nourish Spot Brings Healthy Food Choices To South Jamaica & Queens

Dawn Kelly, is making her mark in business history in South Jamaica.  She is continuing a legacy of innovative entrepreneurs in the area of Southeast Queens and Jamaica, NYC.  Her entrepreneurial prospects are looking very promising. 

Kelly follows in the footsteps of highly successful almost legendary business owners from the the area like Russell Simmons, 50 Cent, and Daymond Johns of FUBU and TV fame, Richard Parsons (former CEO of AOL/Time Warner), and Essence Owner and Co-founder of the billion dollar Sundial and Shea Moisture brands Richelieu Dennis.  She tells an engaging story of modest but noteworthy beginnings with a grand vision of the future of her business. 

The U.S. SBA's (Small Business Administration) New York District Office selected Dawn Kelly, owner of The Nourish Spot in Jamaica, as its "Microbusiness Person of the Year for 2019."  According to the SBA "a microbusiness is a company that’s been in business at least one year and employs fewer than five employees."

Kelly was selected as SBA’s Microbusiness Person of the Year, for her unique, innovative and creative health food store.  This is very impressive because a SBA representative for the area noted that there are over "1 million businesses in the region where Dawn was selected as Microbusiness Person of the Year."

It has been reported that "people discouraged Kelly from starting her company, fearing that the neighborhood would not support a health food business, but she followed her dream  and is proving that her creative leadership and unique idea can make the business a success."  Despite the fact her prospects for success were questionable to some Kelly is feeling divinely inspired to go forth with her vision.

Dawn Kelly also relies on very dedicated family members to help her reach her goals and develop a truly standout business.  She credits beginning the business with invaluable assistance from her "30 year old son Owen (he created the logo), and my 28 year old daughter Jade (she is a trained chef and created most of our menu selections)."

The Nourish Spot boasts a nutritious selection of natural fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, salads, soups, sandwich wraps and more.  I was able to get Dawn to take a little time from her busy schedule and answer a few questions about her background and the future direction of her business.  Her interview follows below...

Dawn Kelly At Her Nourish Spot Location

Kamau:  Can you tell us a little about your background and life growing up in Southeast Queens?

Dawn: I was born in Harlem Hospital.  My parents moved to Astoria, Queens, in early 1960s.  We then moved from the Ravenswood Houses, to Cambria Heights, and I entered the 2nd grade at P.S. 147Q now Ronald McNair Elementary School.

My family, mother, father, young brother, sister and I then lived in Cambria Heights, until we moved to Laurelton, immediately before I entered Martin Van Buren High School. I played softball for Cambria Heights Sports Association, even playing on a championship team before going off to college.

I worked as a baby sitter and then as a cashier at, Consumers, the first grocery store on Merrick Blvd and the Belt Parkway.  Graduating with honors from high school at sixteen years young, off to Howard University I went.

Ridgewood Savings Bank on Merrick Blvd and Francis Lewis Boulevard gave me my first student loan. Every time I drive past that bank, I smile. They financially empowered me to go away to an HBCU.

Kamau: What inspired you to go into your present business in the South Jamaica?

Dawn: My role at Prudential Financial Inc. was eliminated and I wasn't ready to retire. After grieving my job loss, I received divine guidance and inspiration to create a juice bar and with God's help the idea and concept manifested. It was challenging to get the entire project completed but I am proud I was able to succeed.

Kamau: What are some of the menu choices you offer in your nourishing eatery?

Dawn: I offer smoothies, natural juice blends, greek yogurt parfaits, fruit cups, protein waffles, salads and sandwich wraps. In the winter, we offer soup and oatmeal.

We offer ginger, radish, turmeric and wheatgrass shots, whole fresh fruit, as well as fruit and nut bars. You can see a full menu for your review.

See Why The Southeast Queens Scoop Supports The BEST Networking Group

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The BEST Networking Group Has Been A Great Support For Business In Southeast Queens And The Southeast Queens Scoop

By Kamau Austin

Hi This Kamau Austin, Publisher of the Southeast Queens Scoop & Scoop Publications.  We cover community and business news in the Southeast Queens area.

The BEST Networking Group has been one of the best ways I've found to get customers and clients in Southeast Queens plus also learn from successful business people.  I want to give a shot out to a great networking group in my home town of Southeast Queens!  I want to put on Blast The BEST Networking Group! 

I'm grateful the innovative, pioneering leader of the group Marsha "Boss Lady," Duke for creating such an effective group to help small business people with community economic development.

Much Respect To The BEST Network Group

Missing Elements Southeast Queens Residents Should Consider In Supporting Reparations

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Here Are Some Important Issues Missing From The Reparations Debate

I want to address some missing issues in the reparations debate. Reparations has become a hot topic issue.

However, many against reparations cite they didn't own slaves. But is that a valid criticism?

A lot of economic injustice is happening to Blacks today like the destruction of Black affluent communities, less pay to Blacks in our society even with degrees, predatory loans wiping out a trillion dollars in wealth, factions of the government selling drugs in our community to finance the Contra War, mass incarceration, over pollution in Black areas like contaminated water in Flint Michigan, there's a lot of injustice being done to Blacks today in addition to what happened to our ancestors.

11-Year Old CEO Launches Aspirational Lifestyle Brand

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11-YEAR OLD ENTREPRENEUR, WILLIAM INLAW, TURNS PAIN INTO PASSION THROUGH FASHION WITH WALNI

New York, NY -- Turning pain into passion and making it happen is a life lesson that many will encounter throughout their lives. However, 11-year old William Inlaw, has cracked this code well before his time.

William Inlaw, founder of Walni has created an aspirational lifestyle brand that is designed to breed winners by daring individuals to pursue their dreams and win it!  Walni is an aspirational lifestyle brand that is a symbol of power and self-expression.

At a young age, Inlaw was introduced to bullying when both of his sisters were victims. He remembers vividly how that pain affected him and his family.