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A MESSAGE FROM KEVN ALEXANDER

Established in 2024, the Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) was created to assist growing businesses located in Southeast Queens with the tools, professional support, and access to procurement opportunities in large scale development projects such as the $20 Million JFK Redevelopment Project, $5.5 Million Resorts World New York City Casino Expansion Project, and a host of large-scale mixed-use development projects happening throughout Queens County.

We appreciate the trust Resorts World New York City and NYS Senator James Sanders, Jr., has bestowed upon RDRC as the administrator of SEQBI. In partnership with York College, Pace University, Farmingdale Small Business Development Centers, Modern Community Capital, and Queens Public Television, we are constantly seeking ways to provide businesses with the best possible experience.

Finally, the success achieved by SEQBI thus far is due to the diligence of TEAM RDRC led by Renee McWilliams, Dr Lola Ojomu-Kayoes, Tashera Tucker, Junor Barnett, Kimberly Isaac, and Daniel Austin.

Sincerely,

Kevin W. Alexander, MPA President & CEO

ABOUT SEQBI

A key component of SEQBI is a vigorous ten-week course that is offered 3 times per year. The curriculum specifically designed for businesses seeking to strengthen their business acumen. Topics include:

Business Planning and Introduction to Live Plan

Marketing, Technology, and Digital Presence

Procurement Basics & Anchor Institution Requirements

Loan Readiness & Financing Options

Operations & Financial Management

Procurement Part 2: Quotes, Proposals & Bidding

Strategic Growth Planning & Final Presentations

KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS

In addition to the SEQBI course students, or Fellows will receive free-of-charge:

Three month paid subscription to LivePlan, a proven business planning software trusted by 1M+ entrepreneurs to write a business plan, build financial forecasts, and manage business performance

Up to eight hours of one-on-one business advisory services by one of our SBDC partners.

Exclusive updates on upcoming contract, procurement, and business opportunities.

Inclusion in weekly group meetngs to answer questions about covered topics via SEQBI Cafe Hours.

Assist with NYS MBE, WBE, DBE, ACDBE certification applications.

Assist with identifying and securing financing for business growth through our network partners

Opportunities to meet with key business leaders and decision-makers.

Membership in the SEQBI Fellows Alumni Program that incudes professional networking opportunities.

Opportunities to vend/exhibit at business tradeshows and expos.

SEQBI GRADUATION & PITCH COMPETITION

Fellows meeting all requirements for graduation will have the opportunity to compete for $12,000 in business grants via the SEQBI Pitch Competition. Graduation requirements include:

Attend minimum of eight of nine classes. Submit growth plan.

Registration with NYS Empire State Development Corporation for applicable statecertifications.

Registration with Resorts World New York City..

Registration with NYS Small Business Development Center (York College, Pace, or Farmingdale).

Complete SEQBI feedback surveys.

OUR PROGRESS

Since our Fall 2024 launch, SEQBI has completed five cohorts that have:

Successfully graduated 78 business owners.

Provided complimentary LivePlan membership to 70+ businesses. Created 76 comprehensive business growth plans.

Assisted 23 businesses obtain NYS MBE, WBE, DBE certification.

Awarded over $90,000 in contracts to SEQBI members.

Awarded over $60,000 in business grants to SEQBI Pitch Competition winners.

Sponsored complimentary exhibitor and trade show opportunities to dozens of SEQBI Fellows to promote their businesses

Established the SEQBI Alumni Association to continue our support of fellows through professional networking, marketing and branding services, and business to business opportunites.

SEQBI FEEDBACK

The SEQBI experience has been invaluable in the growth of my business. The knowledge I gained about how to run a business, especially focused on creative arts greatly helped me understand how to better plan, present, and price my business. I highly recommend SEQBI for any business owner serious about growing their business.

SEQBI was a great experience for my business. It provided me with the opportunity to reimagine my business model using tools such as LivePlan. The instructors and guest lecturers were genuinely interested in my success, as were my SEQBI Fellows. I also appreciate the opportunites that RDRC continue to provide SEQBI graduates through the SEQBI Alumni association

SEQBI COURSE FACILITATOR

Demond Wilkerson, President Modern Community Capital

Demond Wilkerson is the Chief Lending officer of Modern Community Capital. He’s a commercial credit trained finance and banking veteran with over 20 years of experience with Santander Bank and HSBC. His experience includes small business lending, economic development finance, implementing fintech lending programs for CDFI’S, commercial real estate, and tax credit advisory services. Modern Community Capital is licensed real estate broker firm.

SEQBI BUSINESS ADVISORS

Harry Wells, Regional Director

York College SBDC

Harry Wells has nearly twenty-five years experience in international trade, economic development, entrepreneurship and small business management. He developed a US distribution network that sold textiles and apparel to major clients including J.C. Penney and Sears. Mr. Wells served as a consultant to the World Bank, and to several US companies on how to export their products to developing markets. In the past few years, he has counselled hundreds of entrepreneurs and assisted them in obtaining millions of dollars for business start-up and expansion In 2007, he published ‘Ten Successful Start-Ups: How Their Setbacks, Management Strategies and Practical Lessons Can Help You Succeed in Business’

Brian Yeung, Certified Business Advisor

York College SBDC

With over 25 years of diversified experience and expertise in small businesses development, Brian focuses on small business counseling, business plan development, and business financing

Prior to becoming a business advisor, Brian was a loan officer at the Abacus Federal Savings Bank, a small community bank in New York City’s Chinatown.

Brian was a member of the York College Parking Committee, which makes recommendations to improve the college’s parking facilities so that the college can provide more educational opportunities and services to the college community.

Mr. Yeung holds a BS in Business Management from Brooklyn College CUNY and an MBA in CIS from Baruch College CUNY.

Oswaldo D. Rengifo, Senior Business Advisor

York College SBDC

Oswaldo D. Rengifo is a Senior Business Advisor at the NYSBDC at York College and a financial management specialist supporting Fellows in the Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI). Since 2010, his advisory work has contributed to $47.9M in client capital formation and significant job creation and retention.

As a Certified Profit Mastery Facilitator, he helps business owners become strategic financial managers by translating financial statements into practical tools for improving cash flow and profitability Within SEQBI, he supports Fellows in strengthening financial performance, preparing for capital access, and advancing MWBE and 8(a) certifications to compete for contracting and growth opportunities.

SEQBI BUSINESS ADVISORS

Lauren I. Linakis, Assistant Director

Farmingdale State College SBDC

Lauren Linakis joined the Long Island SBDC (Farmingdale) in 2019. Prior to joining the SBDC, she served as Associate Director of the LaGuardia Community College APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC), where she helped small businesses navigate government contracting and effectively market their goods and services to government agencies

In addition to her expertise in government contracting, Lauren has completed the North Star Cybersecurity Certification Program and supports small businesses in understanding and implementing cybersecurity best practices

Lauren holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Barnard College and a Master’s degree in Economic Development from Columbia University.

Pierre Lespinasse, Certified Business Advisor

Farmingdale State College SBDC

Pierre has over 25 years of business experience in Management Accounting and Financial Reporting at global banking institutions. His expertise ranges from financial forecasting to cost analysis and internal transfer pricing.

Pierre joined NYS SBDC at Farmingdale State College after several years of association with the SBDC at Stony Brook University.

Mr. Lespinasse holds a BS in Management from Adelphi University and an MBA from Long Island University.

Rawle Brown, Certified Business Advisor

Pace University SBDC

Rawle Brown is an NYS-certified Business Advisor at the Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Rawle has served as an SBDC Business Advisor for twenty years and assists existing businesses and entrepreneurs with business plan development and obtaining financing from banks and other non-bank financial institutions.

Rawle has a BBA in Accounting from Howard University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

SEQBI JUDGES

The SEQBI exoerience is hightlighted by Fellows applying classroom training into place by presenting their business growth plans. The top four evaluated pitches are then advanced to the SEQBI Pitch Competition Finals. A panel of experienced judges that includes a past SEBQI Pitch Competition winner (Richard Adofo) are then tasked with evaluating and ranking the top three presenters to receive a toatal of $12,000 in grant awards.

THANK YOU TO OUR

JUDGES

Richard Adofo, Space Agey Leather Goods/SEQBI Alumni

Mark Alleyne, Spartan Demolition Company

Hank Balle, Resorts World New York City

A. Rashaun Banjo, Prolific Consulting Services/SEQBI Alumni

Stephanie Berwick, Pastazerts/SEQBI Alumni

Jason Clark, NY Empire State Development Corporation

Dianna Rose & Associates

Elena Sel, Chase Bank

Michael J. Tiseo, Resorts World NYC

Pictured let to right: Richard Adofo, Space Agey Leather Goods, Hank Balle, Resorts World New York City,, Dianna Rose, Dianna Rose & Associates, Mark Alleyne ,Spartan Demoilition Company.

SEQBI PITCH COMPETITION WINNERS

SPRING 2025 COHORT

1st Place - Shaleem Bush, Being Egypt, LLC

2nd Place - Stephanie Berwick, SBR Provisons, LLC/DBA Pastazerts

3rd Place - Jyoti Jaiswal, Kush Oasis Enterprises, LLC

Stephanie Berwick

Jyoti Jaiswal

Stephanie Berwick, Jyoti Jaiswal and Shaleem Bush

SEQBI PITCH

COMPETITION WINNERS

FALL 2024 COHORT

1st Place - A. Rashaun Banjo, Prolific Consulting Services

2nd Place - Tashena Younge, Cooking with Honcho

3rd Place - Shenna Vaughn & William Bentley, Vaughn Bentley Creative

Tashea Younge

Shenna Vaughn & William Bentley

A. Rashaun Banjo

SEQBI PITCH COMPETITION WINNERS

SUMMER 2025 COHORT

1st Place - Sharmeika Davis-Boyd, La’Ron Boyd QikyKids, LLC

2nd Place - Richard Adofo, Space Agey Leather Goods

3rd Place - Khaliliah Johnson, Kreations by Kaye & Charmaine Fisher, Mingles Event Space

Richard Adofo

Khaliliah Johnson & Charmaine Fisher

La’Ron Boyd & Sharmeika Davis-Boyd

SEQBI PITCH

COMPETITION WINNERS

FALL 2025 COHORT

1st Place - Chelsea Charles, Rosegold Krystal Solutions LLC

2nd Place - Keegan Superville, Superville Estates

3rd Place - Tanisha Adjo, Success Level Ventures

Keegan Superville

Chelsea Charles

Tanisha Adjo

SEQBI PITCH COMPETITION WINNERS

WINTER 2025 COHORT

1st Place - Jaydan Philogene, Energy Fencing, Inc.

2nd Place - Jessica Edouard McDonald, JESS PUDD’IN

3rd Place - Charlene DuBarry, C. B.Elite Services, LLC

Jaydan Philogene

Charlene DuBarry

Jessica Edouard McDonald

Michelle Stoddart, Vice President Senior Vice President of Community Development

Matt Anatalio Director of Community Development

RESORTS WORLD NEW YORK CITY EXPANSION PROJECT

The 7.5 billion expansion of Resorts World New York City, has received approval from New York State’s Gaming Facility Location Board, The development, located at the Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, aims to become the largest integrated resort in the United States. Plans include a 350,000-square-foot casino floor, 2,000 hotel rooms in an expanded Hyatt Regency, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, over 30 dining establishments, a sports and media complex, and additional green space and housing. The project is expected to generate approximately 24,000 jobs and contribute significant tax revenue to the state and the MTA.

NYS SENATOR JAMES SANDERS, JR .

Senator Sanders, Jr., is a member of the New York State Senate, serving since January 2013. He represents the 10th district, which includes the Queens neighborhoods of Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale and parts of Far Rockaway.

A proud Marine veteran, public servant, and lifelong advocate for economic and social justice, Senator Sanders has dedicated his career to uplifting working-class families, expanding educational and business opportunities, and ensuring economic equity throughout New York

Since being elected to the Senate, Sanders has risen to lead the Senate Committee on Banks and the Senate Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). In addition, he serves as Vice President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), advocating for economic justice and policy reforms that improve the lives of African Americans nationwide.

In addition to being the Chairman of the Senate's Committee on Banks, Senator Sanders is a member of the Committees for Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business; Insurance, Labor, Procurement and Contracts; Racing, Gaming and Wagering; and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.

Senator Sanders, Jr. is also widely recognized for his commitment to community economic development and has advocated for and successfully created policies at both the State and City level focused on minority-and-women-owned business equity and opportunity

To prepare Southeast Queens businesses to compete for contract, procurement, and business opportunities on large scale transportation, airline, gaming, infrastructure, and housing project underway (or planned) for Southeast Queens, Sanders established the Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) for MWBE’s in partnership with Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation, NYS Small Business Development Center and Modern Community Capital.

ABOUT RDRC

Established in 1978, Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit corporation located in Far Rockaway, Queens, NY. Our mission is, “To promote the revitization of the Rockaways economic base and neighborhoods, and to secure an improved quality of life for its residents”.

Our human capital investments include a robust adult workforce development program that offers:

Employability skills training - resume writing, internet job searching, mockinterviews.

Certified vocational skills training - customer service, OSHA, and over 40

certification courses via our partnership with Google.

Financial management - banking, budgeting, credit, retirement.

Basic and intermediate computer skills training at our state-of-the art Spectrum Learning Lab.

Employment placement assistance

RDRC provides year-round programs specifically designed to prepare our high-school students for college, employment, and career pathways that offer:

Paid summer and academic year employment and internships to over 1,900 youth annually.

Innovative summer learning via Project-Based

Learning opportunities focused on media, communications, drone aviation, entrepreneurship, mental health and wellness, and more.

College credit courses through partnership with NYC Department of Youth & Community Devlopment and College University of New York (CUNY)

Local and out-of-state travel to colleges, universities, and cultural centers.

Scholarship opportunites for graduating seniors

SEQBI IN ACTION

When we created SEQBI our goal was to create a unique experience that continues beyond graduation. SEQBI Alumni are featured in our marketing campaigns, invited to exhibit with us at business trade shows, and attend professional networking events to promote the impact of the program.

Kevin Alexander President & CEO