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email or social media!

Black History Month 2022 February is Black History Month in the U.S., and this year's theme is Black Health and Wellness. NPR has compiled a list of stories, music performances, podcasts and other content that chronicles the Black American experience.

Kecia thanks Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith for this honor and for his consistent support to all of his constituents throughout Westchester County! She truly appreciates this honor and dedicates this recognition to her parents Leroy Palmer, Sr. and her mother, Obie Palmer who passed away peacefully in November 2022. They are and were her dreammakers! Her parents were her first Black History Makers. Congratulations to all of last evening’s honorees!

Congratulations and special shout out to two of Kecia and Kevin’s nieces who are moving, shaking and making Black History as well in Westchester County! We love you both and are so proud of you! The youth are our future and the future is now! Congratulations to Dr. Yvonne Palmer, for recently earning her Doctorate in Education from Sage College and and her new position in the New Rochelle School District as Director of Special and Alternative Education (Elementary Schools). Dr. Palmer is the daughter of proud parents Vaughn Palmer, Sr. and Joan Palmer, Kecia’s oldest brother and sister-in-law. Vaughn is a retired Westchester County Corrections Officer and Joan is a retired Westchester Medical Center Medical Transcriptionist. 

Congratulations also to newly sworn in Westchester County Police Officer Ravin Palmer, a former Mt. Vernon Police Detective. Officer Ravin is the daughter of Kecia’s proud brother Leroy Palmer, Jr. and ex-girlfriend Daphne Oliver. Leroy is a retired Mt. Vernon Detective and earned honors as a NYS Cop of the Year during President Clinton’s administration.

Click on these helpful links to stay informed and up to date regarding this global pandemic. COVID-19 Vaccine (NYS) | About COVID-19 (CDC)

The federal government has announced every household can order four free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests through a new website, www.covidtests.gov.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order #4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Kecia and Kevin ordered their free tests. We encourage everyone to order yours today! The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. If you need a COVID-⁠19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area.

Westchester has added COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Yonkers on Mondays to help reduce the virus's spread, County Executive George Latimer said in a statement.

Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome, according to the county.

To schedule a test, go to www.westchestergov.com/health. New appointments will be added every three days, the county's statement said, as follows:

Book your appointment today with the Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. Team to get your business back on track in 2022! We provide business coaching, workforce development training and help MWBE’s get certified as they navigate the government and corporate procurement process! MWBE’s, Government Agencies and Non-Profits are our favorite clients!

Below are some networks and resources that Minority Women Owned Business Enterprises and small business owners can connect with to help them get through these challenging times. We’ve got your back!

Many minority and women business enterprise entrepreneurs use their local, County and State Agencies to stay current and tap into potential resources and procurement opportunities for their businesses and their communities. Getting MWBE Certified and procuring government contracts can help MWBEs build their businesses! Grants and loans are also parts of MWBEs portfolios to grow their businesses.

Legally Set for Business Breakfast Networking Event hosted by The Westchester Multicultural Chamber of Commerce.

Celebrate National Entrepreneurship Week in-person at a Small Business Networking Event hosted by Mid-Hudson Valley Credit Union and The Women’s Enterprise Development Center.

Westchester works to encourage, promote and increase participation of business enterprises owned and controlled by persons of color or women.

Calling all Westchester based MWBES. Westchester County has partnered this year with Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. to provide business coaching, workforce development training, help MWBE’s get certified and register on the Westchester County Minority and Women-Owned Business Program directory as they navigate the government and corporate procurement process!

MWBE’s, Government Agencies and Non-Profits are our favorite clients!

Book your appointment today with the Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. Team to get your business back on track in 2022!

When it comes to small business, Westchester County is committed to creating a level playing field and helping everyone succeed.

The Minority and Women-Owned Business Program is an excellent resource for minority- and women-owned businesses, which may be just starting out or have long been established in the local economy. Reap the most benefits of this program, register today.

Looking to hire an MWBE? Search the two databases by clicking:

Attention: They have converted to a new system. Effective immediately all MWBEs who are NYS Certified will be required to fill out a short registration form. MWBEs who are NOT NYS Certified will be required to fill out a long registration form. If you registered your company before December 31, 2019 you will have a year to re-register.

By registering your minority or women-owned business, you'll receive:

Contact the Minority and Women-Owned Business Program office with your questions about the program.

Want to sell your product or service to government agencies? The Procurement Technical Assistance Center can help you understand the competitive bidding process and find opportunities appropriate for your company.

When you register your business as a minority and women-owned business, you're opening your firm to business opportunities you may not have otherwise known about.Benefits include e-mail notifications about timely workshops and training. Learn more

Upon registering as a minority- and women-owned business, your information will be entered into the Minority and Women-Owned Business Program database and will be accessible by county departments and the public. This database organizes companies into 10 distinct business categories. Learn more

WestWorks is a weekly synopsis of advertised contracts, bid opening results and awarded contract and agreements. This free publication is an additional source to locate business opportunities and access to weekly bid books released by the Board of Acquisition and Contract. Learn more

The county has a system for posting active business opportunities, such as requests for proposals (RFPs). All county business opportunities are categorized using the same 10 business category definitions, as for the MWOB database. Learn more

Ongoing workshops and trainings are available for registered minority- and women-owned businesses to build and enhance their skills. Workshops will be presented by content experts, economic development experts and other seasoned business professionals. Learn more

A new and exciting opportunity, specifically for Black women entrepreneurs. The Women of Color Grant Program has been brought together in partnership with Fearless Fund, peer networking tech platform The Cru, The Tory Burch Foundation and Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women.

We’re excited to announce that applications are now live for this grant opportunity.

The program will provide $10,000 - $20,000 grants to 150 small businesses. In addition, selected businesses will receive 1 year of curated monthly support provided by The Cru, and access to resources at Fearless Fund and The Tory Burch Foundation. Qualified women of color entrepreneurs in the United States can apply.

Businesses should be 1-5 years in operation with minimum annual revenue of $100,000 (flexible). Full details are linked below. Apply today and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity – applications close on February 9.

Stay tuned – this is the first of many efforts we are working on to support our 10,000 Small Businesses and One Million Black Women communities.

New York State's $800 million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was launched in June to provide grant assistance to small businesses in the State of New York who experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York Women's Chamber of Commerce has been working with the State to assist applicants submitting their applications.

Applications will only be accepted for as long as funds are available, and now the program has been running for several months. Funds are still available but if you have not applied for the Small Business Recovery Grant yet and you are interested in applying, we strongly recommend that you do so soon. Contact us for assistance before funds run out!

Please contact Steve Paguay at spaguay@nywcc.org for more information and how to apply.

Have a safe and great week! Stay connected with us so you stay connected! Follow us on our social media! We will get through 2022 together! We thank each and everyone of you for your continued support and business!

Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc! We help MWBEs focus on the health and wellness of their business! Let’s us help you make your dreams, business and professional and goals come true in 2022!

We are here for you! Just give us a call at (914) 737-7237 or schedule a consultation with us at www.aerobasoul.com. You’ll be glad that you did!

Special reflection goes out to Kecia’s youngest brother whose physical presence left us on February 7, 2020. May his soul continue to rest in peace.

See you on Philanthropy Thursday!

Sincerely,