Happy MWBE Wednesday to Our Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. Community Family!

Autumn, the season when leaves fall from tress, is here! We hope that everyone is well, safe and enjoying Fall 2022! The Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. team is rejuvenated and still on cloud 9 from attending last week’s NYC Annual MWBE Procurement Fair! It was a very engaging, informative and productive event hosted by the dedicated and hardworking administrators and staff at the NYC Department of Small Business Services.  Check out this week’s Philanthropy Thursday for some highlights! Procurement and opportunity was definitely there with so many of the over 62 NYC Agencies in attendance and hundreds of MWBEs hustling to connect with them.

Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc’s CEO Kecia Palmer-Cousins, COO Kevin Cousins and the Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. team continue to be grateful for the opportunity to assist many Minority and Women-Owned businesses navigate government and corporate procurement opportunities to grow their businesses. 

Fall is one of our favorite seasons. It’s a time where beautiful, bright foliage is everywhere. We encourage MWBEs to get out, have some fun, breathe in fresh air and clear their minds to make room for new ideas to level up their business. Work, life balance is good for the soul! Self-powering is empowering!

Fall is also football season! Congratulations to the Howard University Bison football team on winning their 1^st game of the season!

Howard University was victorious against Morehouse College (31-0) at Met Life Stadium on September 17, 2022. Kecia and Kevin’s oldest son, Kendall Cousins, #78, is a Sophomore on the HU Football team. Kendall is a Mechanical Engineering major at HU.

As Kecia and Kevin cheered on HU at the game, they also cheered on their youngest son Kyle Cousins. Kyle was amongst 105 HBCU Scholars during half-time who were recognized on the Jumbtron for winning $2,000 Toyota/Google Tools for Schools HBCU Scholarships and free computers. Kyle is a freshman majoring in Exercise Science at Winston-Salem State University. Congrats Kyle!

Speaking of power, congratulations to all of the politicians that made the 2022 City & State’s Westchester Power 100 List! We know many of them and am proud of the great work that they do for so many people throughout NY State.

Many of Westchester County’s best and brightest have a reach that extends far beyond the borders of the suburban county. Local CEOs like IBM’s Arvind Krishna and PepsiCo’s Ramon Laguarta oversee multibillion-dollar corporate empires that span

the globe. Leonard Schleifer’s Regeneron helped save the life of former President Donald Trump, while Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah is among a number of prosecutors who could threaten his political survival. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who’s running for reelection in a district that includes more of Westchester, is also spearheading a national effort to keep Republicans from taking back the House of Representatives. And in Albany, few politicians have the seniority and the sway of

state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. City & State’s Westchester Power 100 highlights many of these prominent power players, along with more locally focused leaders of all kinds, including government officials, business executives, health care leaders, nonprofit heads, union chiefs, advocates, activists and more.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins / Celeste Sloman

Kecia and Kevin would like to especially congratulate, Kevin’s mother and Kecia’s mother-in-law, NYS Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins who leads the 2022 City & State’s Westchester Power 100 List at #1. We love her dearly. She is truly always #1 in the hearts and souls of our family! Fair, consistent, brilliant, classy, loving, dedicated, smart, beautiful, spiritual, mentor, humble, powerful, fashionable, Madame leader. We are so proud of her and all of her achievements!

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins had a busy spring, negotiating the state’s first budget with the Hochul administration. But the Yonkers Democrat kept the energy up even into the summer, as state legislators returned to Albany in July to pass bills solidifying abortion rights and enabling new gun restriction in response to decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court.

In August, she supported calls for the state Independent Redistricting Commission to reconvene to draw new Assembly districts after the district lines were struck down earlier this year.

The 2022 Westchester Power 100 - City & State New York 

Order over chaos: How Andrea Stewart-Cousins fixed the state Senate Democratic conference. The majority leader has presided over growing power and has delivered legislative successes with and without the New York governor’s help.

Stewart-Cousins, the first woman to lead New York’s state Senate, managed to succeed where her predecessors had failed, not only in the world of electoral politics but in governance as well. EMILY ASSIRAN

Congratulations to the New York Women Chamber of Commerce on the 20^th Year Anniversary! 

Congratulations to the outstanding women leaders demonstrating business excellence, including Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.’s CEO Kecia Palmer-Cousins, who will be honored at the New York Women of Excellence Awards Breakfast, at The Battery Gardens Restaurant in NYC on November 3, 2022.

Kecia will be recognized for her over 20 years of entrepreneurship, leadership and community and MWBE Advocacy in business via her company Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.. 

Kecia co-owns Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. , a NYC and NYS MWBE Certified Project Management and Training Company with her husband, best friend and business partner, COO Kevin Cousins. The New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce will recognize Kecia for her key contribution of “technical assistance” and business coaching to four of the NYWCC’s ContractHER Cohorts.

Kecia has successfully helped dozens of MWBE ContractHER Cohort graduates to get procurement ready and navigate corporate and government contracts. She is humble, grateful and appreciative to be part of the ContractHER Cohort team led by NYWCC President & CEO Quenia Abreu, Facilitator Extraordinaire Rebecca Rodriquez (CEO of EOS Strategies, Inc. ) and NYWCC MWBE Program Manager Mia- Michelle Russell. Kecia is honored to be receiving a New York Women of Excellence Award.

Kecia is also the COO of G&K Sweet Foods, LLC, a NYC & NYS MWBE Certified baked goods company. Kecia co-owns G&K Sweet Foods, LLC with her friend and business partner, CEO Gay Wheeler-Smith. G&K was a dessert caterer at the 2014 Superbowl at Met Life Stadium where hundreds of their G&K Sweet Foods, LLC Grandma’s Momma’s Legacy “Licious Sweet Potato Pies were served at the VIP Party at Met Life Stadium right before “The Big Game”! G&K commercially manufactures pies, cookies, granola bars, brownies, and a variety of packaged snacks.

NEW YORK WOMEN’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - NEW YORK WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS – NOVEMBER 3rd, 2022

*Dress Code: Business or Cocktail Attire

The New York Women’s Women Chamber of Commerce, board members, and staff invite you to celebrate our 20th Anniversary in Promoting, Connecting, and Opening doors for women entrepreneurs. 

During this celebration, businesswomen, companies, and partners will receive the

New York Women of Excellence Award. Join us by choosing a level on our sponsorship package that meets your company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities. Join us to continue our mission of economically empowering women by assisting them in starting, managing, and growing their businesses.

*Deadline for purchasing Journal Ads is Friday, September 30th, 2022*

Mayra Linares-Garcia

Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications (PAC) at Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages

Karen McGuinness

Senior Business Relationship Manager, Non-Profit & Education Banking, JP Morgan Chase and Co.

Rud Morales

President of Fortis Contractors LLC.

Valerie White

Senior Executive Director at LISC NY

Patricia Pacheco de Baez

Managing Director, NYC Private Bank Market Leader and Diverse Segment Champion at Bank of America

Kecia Palmer-Cousins

CEO of Aero-Ba-Soul Inc. and COO of G&K Sweet Foods, LLC.

Dr. Yomaris Pena

Chief Medical Officer at SOMOS Community Care

Lilliam Pérez

Vice President of Government & Community Relations at Montefiore Health System

Katharine Pichardo-Erskine

Senior Vice-President at the MirRam Group & President of the Hamilton Campaign Network (HCN)

Bernarda Rodriguez (La Chily)

Owner of Josephine Spa Corp.

New York- Presbyterian Hospital

Verizon

Ponce Bank

Port Authority of NY and NJ

Citi Foundation

For sponsorship, ticket and ads opportunities, please contact Fundraiser Consultant at generatingresultsllc@gmail.com or visit www.nywcc.org or (212) 491-9640

*Proceeds from this event will support NYWCC’s mission and 2022 priorities focused on increasing the dollar amount and number of city, state, and private contracts awarded to women and minority entrepreneurs, especially women of color.

Advocating, Connecting & Opening Doors for Women and Minority Entrepreneurs

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! 



Training & Consulting | NYC/Westchester County/Tri-State | Aerobasoul

MWBE WEDNESDAY GRANTS and

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES!

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.

Below are some grant opportunities and networking events that Minority Women Owned Business Enterprises and small business owners can apply to and attend to help grow their business and obtain business clients! We hope to see you there! Register today! You’ll be glad that you did!

Westchester County Business First Grant Program - Apply Today!

Grants Range From $5,000 To $45,000! 

Calling All Westchester Based MWBE Registered With the

Westchester County Mwbe Program (Directory) Or Nys Mwbe Certified!

Westchester County Business FIRST: Financial Investments for Recovery and a Sustainable Tomorrow is providing immediate financial relief to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses (SDVOBs) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qualifying organizations can apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $45,000.

TO BE ELIGIBLE

• MWBEs must be Registered with the Westchester County MWBE program or Certified by the New York State Division of Minority and Women’s Business
• SDVOBs must be Certified by New York State as a Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses (SDVOB).
• DBEs must be Certified by a Certifying Partner in the New York State Unified Certification Program (NYSUCP).
• The organization’s primary location must be in Westchester County.
• The organization must be currently open with plans to stay open, or temporarily closed with plans to reopen in 2022.
• More eligibility information can be seen by clicking on "Apply Now" below.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS GRANT OPPORTUNITY: 

• Organizations who are delinquent on County taxes, fees or licenses are not eligible for this grant.
• Organizations who received a Business FIRST Grant in 2020 or 2021 from Westchester County.
• Organizations who received or will receive a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the SBA.

The Westchester County Business FIRST grant program is being administered by the Westchester County Office of Economic Development through the American Rescue Plan.

Need help completing your application? Contact our partner Charlene Nixon, President and CEO of the Westchester Multicultural Chamber, to receive assistance at: businessfirst@wmccnys.org

Aarp Foundation – Work For Yourself @ 50 + Incubator Program

Dear Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. Community,

Launching and building a new business is exciting — and challenging, especially if you’re over 50 and have a household income 250% below the poverty index. So why not give yourself an edge?

For the second year running, AARP Foundation will offer the Work for Yourself@50+ Incubator Program, powered by Bridge for Billions, to help aspiring entrepreneurs like you launch and develop successful businesses. This free digital incubation program will help you refine your value proposition, develop a stakeholder map and business framework, establish pricing, assess business viability, establish a growth plan, and supercharge your confidence in the process.

How it works:

• You’ll be matched with a mentor who supports you throughout the incubation program.
• You’ll work with your mentor through online modules to create a validated visual business plan.
• You and your mentor will meet weekly for 1-1.5 hours for the duration of the program.
• You’ll attend biweekly online sessions hosted by Bridge for Billions. These sessions will cover topics such as marketing, legal prototyping, crowdfunding, etc.
• You’ll also attend two virtual Investment Readiness workshops as you prepare to pitch your business ideas for funding (if applicable).

What you’ll get:

• 1:1 mentorship support
• A community of entrepreneurs and mentors
• A validated visual business plan to pitch for funding as needed
• The potential for a start-up grant awarded by Bridge for Billions

This is the perfect opportunity if you would benefit from:

• A step-by-step model that helps you develop or refine your business plan and develop a viable business
• Mentorship as you build your business
• Help to structure your business and determine your product–market fit
• A community of like-minded entrepreneurs
• A flexible (and free!) online program 

Interested? We’re accepting applications through October 17, so don’t miss your chance.

Hudson Valley Chamber of Commerce – Marketing Improv(e)

New York State Seed Funding Grant Program - $5,000, $10,000 or more!

The New York State Seed Funding Grant Program is providing assistance to early-stage small businesses to succeed in a recovering economy.

Get grants ranging from $5,000-$25,000 for your micro/small business. With a limited amount of funding and high volume of requests, be prepared to apply soon.

Grant Amounts

For firms that have already filed a Federal Tax Return for operations:

• Grant awards will be calculated based upon the annual amount of gross receipts as shown on their provided 2020 or 2021 business tax return.
• ·Businesses with $5,000 and up to $49,999.99 in gross receipts: Award is $5,000/business.
• Businesses with $50,000 – $99,999.99 in gross receipts: Award is $10,000/business.
• Businesses with $100,000 – $1,000,000 in gross receipts: Award is 10% of gross receipts with a maximum grant amount of $25,000/business.

For firms that have NOT filed a Federal Tax Return for operations thus far:

• Award is $5,000/business.

Ineligible Business

1. All non-profits, churches and other religious institutions;
2. Government-owned entities or elected official offices;
3. Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities;
4. Landlords and passive real estate businesses.

Don't miss this chance to help your business grow! For assistance with applying, please contact one of our business specialists, Steve Paguay at spaguay@nywcc.org or call our office at (212) 491-9640.

Click here for more information about the grant program.

Sister To Sister International – Black Business Directory

White Plains Education & Training Center – Financial Wellness For Small Business Owners

Financial Wellness for Small Business

This 10-week program will provide instruction to small business owners who are seeking to be approved for business loans. The  objective is to assist small businesses in the creation of a sound financial plan for their business, improving their opportunity for success. The program will also address strategies to repair the business owner’s credit score (if applicable).

This 10-week program will cover the following topics:

• Banking Services 
• Time Management
• Financial Management
• Recordkeeping
• Business Credit

• Risk Management 
• Insurance 
• Tax Planning and Reporting 
• Succession Planning 
• Managing Cash Flow

Next Session

October 12 - December 14, 2022 6:00 - 8:00pm

303 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY

Eligibility

Businesses must be in operation for at least one year, filed income taxes, and seeking a business loan to qualify.

For more information, call 914-606-7558

email: wpetc@sunywcc.edu

Program Sponsored By

Women’s Enterprise Development – Recent Changes to The Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant!

You May Now Qualify! NYS Recovery Grant

Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022

Time: 10:00am - 11:00am

Cost: Free

Webinar

Recent changes to the NYS COVID-19 Pandemic

Small Business Recovery Grant Program:

On September 13, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that applicants of the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program will

no longer need to demonstrate positive net profit on 2019 Business Return ($1 or greater) or at least a twenty-five percent (25%) loss in annual gross receipts in a year-to-year revenue comparison as of December 31, 2020, to the same period in 2019, in each case, as reflected on Grantee’s 2019 and 2020 filed federal tax returns, including any 2020 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment.

This program will close on September 30, 2022!

Don't miss this opportunity! Join this free webinar to learn all about the changes before it's too late. WEDC also provides one-on-one assistance with the application.

NYS MWBE FORUM! 

Click here for additional information and ticket prices to attend!

HELP GET YOUR BUSINESS ON TRACK AND APPLY FOR THESE GRANTS TODAY!

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! 

Training & Consulting | NYC/Westchester County/Tri-State | Aerobasoul

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 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!

Stay safe and continue to reach for excellence! Try to put your best foot forward every day. Most of all, be kind to yourself and others! Special shout out to our parents, family and friends for your continued love and support to us! Let’s continue to be bridges for success for each other and our businesses!

See you on Philanthropy Thursday!

Sincerely,

Kecia and Kevin