BKLYN Commons, NYBeauty Suites celebrate Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, BKLYN Commons, in association with NYBeauty Suites, hosted on March 15 a “festive soiree celebrating all things women.”

Keith L. Forest, the African-American-born senior consultant at the Flatbush-based BKLYN Commons, told Caribbean Life on Friday that the gathering took place at BKLYN Commons’ latest venture – Common Ground Marketplace – a collaborative, community-based weekend popup, “where local makers and creators come together to shop, grow and learn.”

Hosted by Haitian-born Johanne Brierre, BKLYN Commons chief executive officer and NYBeauty Suites founder, Forest said the event included “a festive cocktail reception that featured home-blended, craft cocktails from Hibiscus Brew, a local café in the area owned and operated by Allison Dunn.”

He said the event also included “scrumptious” hors d’oeuvres and treats from women-lead eateries Makina Café, 2 Girls and a Cookshop, and Brie on the Chrisme.

“The evening kicked off with an awards ceremony honoring trailblazing, wellness, and ‘beauty-preneurs’ who are making outstanding strides in the beauty and wellness space,” Forest said.

Johanne Brierre (far right) joined City Council Women Farah Louis (far left) and Rita Joseph (center) in recognizing and presenting flowers to unsung community heroes Ritha Louis (2nd left) and Dale Charles (4th from left for their unwavering support in uplifting and supporting black and women owned businesses. Photo by Gantry Studios

He said New York City Council Members Rita Joseph, Haitian-born, and Farah Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, were on hand to present “these incredible women with citations in recognition to the remarkable contribution they have made in their chosen fields.”

The honorees included Shantini Alleyne-Cooper, Niara Mullings, Samantha Frank-Beckford, Marissia Malcolm, Kerryann Bertrand Ashley Taylor, Dede Dia, and Virhonjeale “Vee” Sheridan-Matteson.

The honorees also received citations from New York State Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie, representative for the 20th Senate District in Brooklyn, and New York State Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, the Jamaican-American representative for the 43rd Assembly District, also in Brooklyn. Myrie’s grandmother also hailed from Jamaica.

On behalf of Cunningham, whose mother is a Jamaican immigrant, Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants. presented the Natural Hairstyle and Braiding Coalition with a special proclamation, Forest said.

With a mission to elevate the art and science of natural hair and braiding while providing safe options for chemical-free services through its four pillars – advocacy and activism; ethical education; business development; and community health and safety – Forest said the Natural Hairstyle & Braiding Coalition (NHBC) has been “on the forefront pioneering legislation that empowers, uplift while culturally embracing and honoring, the Diasporic natural hair care industry.”

In attendance to accept the honors were founders Diane C. Bailey, Diane De Costa, Erin H. Maybin, and Natasha Gaspard.

Forest said Brierre, along with Joseph and Louis, also recognized a few “unsung community heroes.” Dale Charles, executive director of Bed-Stuy Gateway BID, and Ritha Pierre, law professional and media entrepreneur, received flowers for their “unwavering support in uplifting and supporting black- and women-owned businesses.”

Forest said the evening ended with a live panel discussion entitled “Business Reimagined: Pioneering Pathways for Tomorrow.”

From left: Moderator Kela Walker; and panelists Kelly Ifill, founder/CEO Guava Financial Services; May Bowman, founder/CEO Official Black Wall Street; Kahlilah Webster, co-founder/managing partner, VMVP Accelerator, Inc.; Tanyette Colon, founder/CEO In-FUUSE; Keisha Hickson, CEO, Hickson Agency, Inc, along with Johanne Brierre, Founder/CEO BKLYN Commons & NYBeauty Suites.Photo by Gantry Studios

Moderated by Kela Walker, Forest said panelists included Mandy Bowman, founder/CEO, Official Black Wall Street; Tanyette Colon, founder/CEO, In-FUUSE; Keisha Hickson, CEO, Hickson Agency, Inc.; Kelly Ifill, founder/CEO, Guava Financial Services; and Kahlilah Webster, co-founder/managing partner, MVP Accelerator, Inc.

Forest said BKLYN Commons, located at 495 Flatbush Avenue, is “central Brooklyn’s premiere business hub,” which “provides coworking space for a diverse community of small business owners, entrepreneurs and creatives.”

Through its network of community stakeholders, he said the organization extends resources and technical support that have aided leading Brooklyn-based startups, such as The Gentleman Factory, Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH), Good Call, Marcy Labs, Katra Films, and others to scale, thrive and succeed.

“At BKLYN Commons, you’re more than a member; you’re part of a community,” Forest said.