Centering the Most Harmed

Operates an in-house microloan fund offering loans between $5,000 and $65,000 to qualified Harlem entrepreneurs, paired with ongoing technical assistance to support business growth and sustainability.

Advocates for policies that preserve and sustain Harlem's local business ecosystem, including active roles in forming the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and the Clinton Foundation’s Harlem Small Business Initiative.

Provided advocacy and support for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, including pushing for equitable no-bid contracts, emergency resources, and expanded access to relief funding for Black-owned businesses.

Offers workshops on basic business skills, strategic planning, financial literacy, branding, and technology adoption; conducted over 100 virtual and in-person workshops reaching hundreds of entrepreneurs in Harlem.

Provides one-on-one technical assistance in marketing, finance, business development, management, and IT to entrepreneurs starting or growing businesses; delivered over 1,000 hours of individualized support across multiple programs as documented in IRS-990 filings.

Developed the BOSI model to strengthen Black businesses’ ability to bid for and execute contracts; successfully influenced the MTA to adopt and extend a Small Business Development Program based on this model.

Hosts power networking events that connect Harlem entrepreneurs with public officials and private-sector representatives from organizations such as Airbnb and Artimus Construction to foster collaboration and opportunity.

Advocates for equitable cannabis legislation since 2018, including calls for automatic expungement of marijuana convictions, exclusive licensing periods for equity applicants, dedicated funding for equity businesses, and reinvestment of tax revenues into impacted communities; documents historical exclusion in other industries to inform current policy demands.

Operates Creative Workspace, the first co-working space in Harlem, providing a physical environment where entrepreneurs can collaborate, work, and access resources to grow their businesses.

Offers grant opportunities and administers federal CED grants to support local businesses and economic development initiatives in Harlem; used funds to help businesses like Seasoned Vegan open brick-and-mortar locations.

Helps minority- and women-owned businesses compete for city contracts by supporting certification processes and capacity building; assisted in certifying and recertifying dozens of businesses and trained over 150 firms through partnerships with MTA and construction corporations.

Ran the Disrupt Harlem Code Squad program to prepare young adults for careers in technology and entrepreneurial ventures, building workforce readiness and innovation capacity in the community.

Leads campaigns and drafts initiatives for marijuana legalization that include social equity components, such as Proposition 64 in California and state laws that prioritize participation by communities harmed by drug enforcement, retroactive sentencing reform, and reinvestment of tax revenue into impacted communities.

Conducts and sponsors public opinion polling on cannabis legalization and equity policies, such as a 2020 poll of New Mexico voters, and publishes evidence-based reports like the 2017 publication advocating for decriminalization based on public health and criminology research.

Advances drug policy reform by engaging in electoral campaigns, issuing public statements on presidential candidates’ positions, and promoting evidence-based overdose prevention plans and comprehensive drug policy roadmaps during federal election cycles.

Organizes and leads campaigns to pass ballot measures that decriminalize drug possession, including spearheading Oregon's Measure 110 and supporting decriminalization in Texas jurisdictions such as Dallas via Proposition R and others in 2022. These efforts have resulted in the first U.S. policy to decriminalize all drugs for personal use and similar local reforms.

Engages in direct lobbying of federal, state, and local officials to advance drug policy reforms, including syringe access and decriminalization laws in New Jersey (S3009, S3493), federal decriminalization frameworks, and legislative support for health-centered drug policies grounded in equity and human rights.

Engages in advocacy efforts to advance equity in the cannabis industry by addressing systemic biases, promoting social and economic equity, and connecting underrepresented communities with opportunities in the adult-use cannabis market through factual information and community outreach.