'This is Queensborough' May 2023 Edition

this is...

May 2023 . Volume 19 . Issue 5

‘Queens Day’ in Albany

ALSO

• Queens Chamber Announces 5 New Board Members • Tech Spotlight: Santi Khairassame • Mental Health Center Revamped in Woodside

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Queens Quickly ................................................................................ 4, 5 Cover Story: Queens Day in Albany .............................................. 12, 13 QCC Announces 5 New Board Members..................................... 6

15th Annual Exhibit at Kimmy Ma Art Studio ................................... 14

A ‘Slice’ Of Queens: Pizza Classica ............................................... 7

Artists Use NYCHA Scaffolding as Canvas ......................................... 15

Celebrating 25 Years: Valerie Green/Dance Entropy .............. 9

AI for Good ............................................................................................... 18, 20

Queens Tech Corner .......................................................................... 10 Supporting Young Adults & Local Businesses..................................... 19 The Role of AI in Education ............................................................... 11, 30

The Path of An Online Shopper, a Vision of the Metaverse ........... 20

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131

It’s In Queens!................................................................................................... 22

Entire Contents Copyright 2021 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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Mental Health Center Revamped in Woodside ...........................23 Stay Connected With the Queen’s Chamber ........................................ 25 Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members ................................... 28 PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

City & State

THOMAS J. GRECH PRESIDENT & CEO

Queens Chamber hosts a number of signature events throughout the year which I’ve referenced here in this space. Each has their own specific meaning and purpose designed

to create opportunities for business owners such as yourself, our members and future members. The single most important event takes place this month every year, it’s Queens Day in Albany.

In a single day you have access to our electeds, both the Queens Assembly and Senate delegation where you can express your concerns as well as show gratitude for the work they do on behalf of our borough. In addition, tour the Capitol building and legislative chambers to witness firsthand where decisions are made that impact not only our community but also your business. The occasion is topped off with a reception where some of Queens’ finest food and drink purveyors showcase what they do best.

It's a full day bringing together city and state in hopes of creating new alliances that will leave you feeling a sense of satisfaction as well encouragement that your voice

has been heard.

From our cover, which was taken on the “Million Dollar” staircase to the various images throughout this issue you’ll get a sense of what this day means to so many. If you missed it, make this trip a priority in 2024.

This month is packed with a number of activities that span various industries and topics we hope will educate, inform and spawn business growth.

The Chamber in partnership with MTA will present a complimentary webinar for contractors looking to build their business with the nation’s largest transportation network. Gary T. Davis, Training Coordinator at MTA, will lead the session. If you’re M/W/DBE, SDVOB or small business want to be a part of this important meeting.

As the month comes to a close, we’re hosting our first outdoor networking event this spring at Pig Beach in Astoria. Mark your cal-

endar, register and join us for two hours of mingling with individuals seeking to grow their business connections. You don’t want to miss this chance to expand your network.

Visit our website at www.queenschamber.org for more information regarding these opportunities and so many more.

Make it a priority to engage with our elected officials, they work tirelessly on your behalf day in and day out. When city and state unite great things happen.

Thank you for your support of Queens Chamber. I’m grateful everyday to serve as President of this wonderful organization.

Hats off to each and every one of you for making a difference in our community.

Always remember Queens STRONG!

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

One Year Later…

HOWARD GRAF CHAIRPERSON

It has always amazed me how quickly time passes. Back in my younger years it felt as if the days and months seemingly lasted forever. Fast forward to the present

day, life moves at a record pace. 12 months ago, I began my term as Chair of our Board of Directors. It goes without saying I’m honored to serve in this capacity and experience the organization from a different perspective.

As I reflect over the past year, I encourage you to evaluate the amount of engagement you’ve had with the Chamber since spring 2022. As a member, are you actively involved on one of our 13 volunteer committees lending your industry expertise and knowledge?

Have you taken advantage of submitting content for this publication? Sharing what your organization is doing to impact the community or celebrating a milestone or perhaps an innovative new way you’re moving forward.

Have you attended one of our Signature Events where you’ll no doubt interact with a Major

Corporate member on your prospect list to partner with for a business transaction. There’s also a number of small-scale educational events the Chamber hosts in partnership with any one of the city agencies designed to elevate both you and your business.

You’re probably wondering how you might access some of these opportunities I mentioned. I’m glad you asked and I’m happy to point you in the right direction.

Regarding our volunteer committees, contact Shahriar Hossain, Manager of Committee Development, shossain@queenschamber.org. He’ll be happy to share how you can participate. If you’re interested submitting content for this publication contact Jef Gross, Manager of Media Relations, jgross@queenschamber.org for specific information and details required for your content which will

get your organization a tremendous amount of exposure.

Visit our website www.queenschamber.org to review our Chamber Event calendar and register to attend any one of our upcoming Signature and/or educational events.

I’m excited to see what my second year as Chair holds and ways I can make a greater impact on behalf of our Queens business community, more specifically our members.

I hope you tap into the benefits and opportunities I mentioned made possible to you as a member.

Thank you for your continued support of Queens Chamber.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS QUICKLY

Donovan Richards Touts What’s “Being Built in Queens” in 2023 State of the Borough

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com

in office.

“Jamaica is already a key business district and a critical transit hub, but we haven’t even scratched the surface of this community’s potential,” he said, citing a need for affordable housing, infrastructure investments, school seats and open space.

To date, the DOT has committed to investing $55 million to Jamaica street improvement projects, shared Richards.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards touted Queens’ innovation, infrastructure and his office’s strategic funding in his “State of the Borough Address” on Friday, April 28.

Held at Claire Schulman Theatre in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Richards focused his speech on the improvements the borough has seen over the past year while providing a glimpse into plans his office has for the future, especially in the Rockaways and Jamaica.

“Years from now, when our kids and grandkids look back on this period of rebirth for New York City, they will know exactly where its renaissance began,” said Richards. “Because that future they will enjoy is being built before our eyes. The city they will inherit is one where equity rules the day, where diversity is embraced, where upward mobility isn’t contingent on your ZIP code. That, my friends, is what’s being built in Queens.”

Investing in Rockaway Prior to borough president, Richards was a council member representing the Rockaways and parts of southeast Queens.

Self-describing himself as a “biased Rockaway boy,” Richards laid out a long-term plan for growth in the neighborhood, citing systemic issues that he has already addressed there. Since he became borough president, affordable housing developments at Arverne East, Edgemere Commons and Rockaway Village have been built, with residents able to move into the latter already.

In total, 5,000 affordable and supportive housing units have been opened in the three locations, including a number of units set aside for homeless and formerly homeless families.

Arverne East also features a 35-acre beachside nature preserve and 180,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. Using geothermal energy, Arverne East will be the first net-zero community in the city.

That’s what’s being built in Queens,” said Richards. Communities on the front lines of clean energy, community empowerment and the correction of systemic injustice.”

Health and Hospitals recently opened a $30 million clinic in the Rockaways, a neighborhood that Richards shared has only one hotel for 125,000 people.

“It’s no accident that Far Rockaway families experience heart disease, diabetes and other condi-

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Improving the Airports

tions and higher rates than elsewhere in Queens,” he stated. “That is what systemic disinvestment looks like.”

Richards also called upon the MTA to expand the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) CityTicket — a program that makes the LIRR $5 in off peak hours compared to $12.50 — to Rockaway as well as bring the Fair Fares program to the LIRR. Across Queens, CityTicket has been expanded. Richards claimed that Far Rockaway not having the same benefits “is what systemic racism looks like.”

The Rockaways will also boast “the crown jewel of the Queens Library system,” said Richards — a $33 million new Far Rockaway branch.

“The Rockaways serve as a blueprint for the rest of the city to follow when we talk about community development,” said Richards. “It’s a blueprint we’re utilizing across Queens.”

Changing Jamaica Richards launched the Downtown Jamaica Improvement Council with council member Natasha Williams last spring, and called upon the Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch a Jamaica Neighborhood Planning Study to take a “holistic, community-led look at how to make Jamaica the premiere live, work and play neighborhood in the city.”

This is personal to Richards, as a Jamaica native, he shared, stating that giving back to the community is the one thing he wants to accomplish while

Richards launched the Downtown Jamaica Improvement Council with council member Natasha Williams last spring, and called upon the Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch a Jamaica Neighborhood Planning Study to take a “holistic, community-led look at how to make Jamaica the premiere live, work and play neighborhood in the city.”

This is personal to Richards, as a Jamaica native, he shared, stating that giving back to the community is the one thing he wants to accomplish while in office.

“Jamaica is already a key business district and a critical transit hub, but we haven’t even scratched the surface of this community’s potential,” he said, citing a need for affordable housing, infrastructure investments, school seats and open space.

To date, the DOT has committed to investing $55 million to Jamaica street improvement projects, shared Richards.

Reimagining Creedmoor The future of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center campus was raised by Richards in his address, noting the series of community workshops since February to begin the process of redeveloping the campus.

While it’s his office that will have final say, Richards is inviting the community to provide their input on what the 50 acre campus in Queens Village should be transformed into. It is currently being used as a small inpatient, outpatient and residential service provider for mentally ill patients.

Affordable housing is a leading option for the facility.

“We are making our own blueprint for what community development should look like moving forward,” he said. “At the end of the day, Creedmoor represents a transformative opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Eastern Queens residents.”

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Comcast NBCUniversal and Empire State Development Host Supplier Diversity Event On Tuesday, April18, Comcast NB CUniversal and the New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, a division of Empire State Development (ESD), partnered to host the “ShowBizNY: Diverse Supplier Connections” Summit at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, NY. More than 200 small businesses in the TV and film physical production and post-production industry attended the Summit in-person and virtually to connect with industry professionals, learn how to certify as a diverse-owned business, and hear more about the relaunched New York State Film and TV Diverse Suppliers Directory, an online resource helping productions identify and connect with diverse vendors.

The Summit is part of Comcast NBCUniversal’s commitment to

advance the economic inclusion of underrepresented businesses through its supplier diversity program. With more than 3,000 companies in its network, the supplier diversity program aims to promote, increase, and improve the participation of diverse businesses within Comcast NBCUniversal’s corporate supply chain -- including companies owned by women, people of color, veterans, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The event is also part of the larger statewide initiative to increase diversity and inclusion and create equal opportunities in the film and television industry.

Attendees heard from Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation on the company’s mission to advance

inclusion and provide equal access.

“We know that when we work with companies that promote and reflect our diversity, these businesses – your businesses – help generate jobs, distribute wealth, and create more opportunity within our communities.”

Participants also heard from Hope Knight, Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner, and Comcast NBCUniversal’s

212-564-4400

Supplier Diversity team.

Comcast NBCUniversal's supplier diversity program has focused on both direct business-to-business outreach to diverse companies and partnerships with advocacy organizations to help build capacity and make connections. Additionally, Comcast NBCUniversal was the first media and technology company inducted into the Billon Dollar Roundtable, a prestigious corporate advocacy group that celebrates companies that spend at least $1 billion with diverseowned businesses. Last year alone, the program totaled nearly $5 billion in spending with diverse-owned suppliers.

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NONPROFIT NEWS

QCC Announces 5 New Members to its Board of Directors

The Queens Chamber of Commerce, announced the results of its Annual Meeting & Election of Officers and Directors, including the addition of five new members to its Board of Directors on April 25.

Joining the board are: • • •

• •

Lindsay Haggerty, Manager of Government & Airport Affairs at JetBlue Patrick Jenkins, President of Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates John Mascialino, Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s New York City Government Law & Policy Practice Richard Siu, Chief Investment Officer at F&T Group Michael Sullivan, Chief of Staff for Steve Cohen, Owner and Chairman of Point72 and the NY Mets

“We are thrilled to welcome these five accomplished business leaders to our board,” said Tom Grech, President & CEO of the Queens

Chamber of Commerce. “Each addition brings their own unique experiences and an impressive array of talents to the table. I look forward to working with them as we continue our dedication to help Queens businesses grow and prosper.”

“I am honored to become a part of the Queens Chamber Board of Directors representing JetBlue Airways. JetBlue has long been known as ‘New York's Hometown Airline,' and we are proud to call Queens home,” said Lindsay Haggerty, Manager of Government & Airport Affairs at JetBlue. “We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with the Queens Chamber in their 122nd year.”

“It is an honor to join the Queens Chamber Board of Directors, and I know that with the combined efforts of all those involved we can help to ensure the vitality and success of the Queens community, particularly those small business owners from across the borough who make Queens a wonderful place to live and work,” said Patrick Jenkins, President of Patrick B. Jenkins &

Associates.

“I look forward to continuing Greenberg Traurig’s commitment of helping the Chamber and its board members serve the citizens and businesses of Queens,” said John L. Mascialino, Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s New York City Government Law & Policy Practice.

“I am delighted to become a part of this esteemed business association, and I look forward to collaborating with like-minded professionals to better the Queens community and continue to champion the many businesses, big and small, that make this borough thrive,” said Richard Siu, Chief Investment Officer at F&T Group.

“I’m excited to join the Queens Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors at such an exciting time for the borough. Queens represents the very best of New York with its culture, diversity, and community.

Whether you’re a street vendor or a tech startup, we all have a role in shaping the future of Queens, and I look forward to working with the Chamber and our neighbors to do

just that,” said Michael Sullivan, Chief of Staff for Steve Cohen, Owner and Chairman of Point72 and the NY Mets.

The Queens Chamber’s Executive Committee for the upcoming year will consist of:

on earth, and there is no better way to experience that diversity than through the wonderful restaurants that you can find in every neighborhood throughout the borough," said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

"We are proud to be home to some of the best cuisine in New York City, and congratulate the 19 Queens-based eateries included on this year's 'Best 100' list. These small businesses are the lifeblood of our borough, creating jobs and opportunity, and we wish them continued success."

“When it comes to amazing food and incredible restaurants, there is no place like Queens. We know that better than anyone,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Congratulations to these 19 stellar eateries from all corners of our borough on their well-deserved time

in the spotlight. It’s never been more important to patronize our small businesses, and I encourage all Queens residents to come out and enjoy a meal at one of these can’t-miss neighborhood spots. No borough tastes better than ours!”

“With more than 20,000 amazing restaurants throughout the five boroughs serving every cuisine and atmosphere a foodie can dream of, being listed on The New York Times “Best Restaurants in New York City List” in 2023 is a remarkable accomplishment and wonderful recognition for a local business. Now I need to loosen my belt and add to my bucket list dining at the 19 restaurants selected from the World’s Borough with my friends over at the Queens Chamber of Commerce.” Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.

• • • • • •

•

Chair Howard Graf, Partner, Graf & Lewent Architects Vice Chair Richard Dzwlewicz, Regional Vice President/SVP, TD Bank Treasurer Patricia Mezeul, Executive Vice President, Flushing Bank Associate Treasurer Nash Roe, Executive Vice President, City Underwriting Agency Secretary Patrick Yu, Partner, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Associate Secretary Michelle Stoddart, Vice President, Community Development for Resorts World Casino New York City Immediate Past Chair Thomas J. Santucci, President, Gateway Investments, Inc.

Congratulating Queens Eateries on the “100 Best Restaurants in NYC” List

The Queens Chamber of Commerce congratulates 19 restaurants from across the borough included on the 2023 “100 Best Restaurants in New York City” list featured in The New York Times. Restaurant critic Pete Wells compiled the list and ranked the city’s top restaurants based on his decade of reviewing.

The following Queens establishments are included on the list: • • • • • • •

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CheLi (#8, Flushing) Queens Night Market (#9, Corona) Zaab Zaab (#14, Elmhurst) Birria-Landia (#18, Jackson Heights) Tacos El Borrego (#30, Corona) Adda Indian Canteen (#35, Long Island City) Chongqing Lao Zao (#46, Flushing)

•

Corona Plaza Vendors (#48, Corona) • M. Wells (#50, Long Island City) • Don Peppe (#56, Ozone Park) • Forever Jerk (#62, Springfield Gardens) • Mariscos El Submarino (#71, Jackson Heights) • AbuQir Seafood (#75, Astoria) • Pata Paplean Bar (#78, Elmhurst) • Mapo Korean Barbeque (#81, Flushing) • Szechuan Mountain House (#90, Flushing) • Temple Canteen (#96, Flushing) • Caleta 111 (#99, Richmond Hill) • Zum Stammtisch (#100, Glendale) "Queens is the most diverse place

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

A ‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS

Pizza Classica, Glendale Queens

By Robert Intelisano

Pizza Classica is located at 89-89 Union Turnpike Glendale, Queens!

The Italian restaurant is connected to the Stop & Shop mini mall. The Stop & Shop mall sits 2 blocks east of Woodhaven Boulevard and consists of a double-decker parking garage and several other stores such as Starbucks, Dress Barn, Retro Fitness and Citizens Bank just to name a few.

This mall lights up (see photo) and is beautiful at night! It was not always bustling and easy on the eyes. In fact, it was an abandoned and dilapidated area for years as it was left vacant after Coca-Cola shut down its distribution site on the property in 2000. The area was brought back to life in late 2004 when Stop & Shop opened a superstore to revitalize and anchor the planned mini mall.

When you think of Glendale, Queens, excellent pizza, and Italian food are not the first things that come to mind.

Many readers associate Glendale with standout German food such as Zum Stammtisch (my favorite Schnitzel place) and Manor Oktoberfest, as well as Glendale Bagels.

Glendale was built on a swampy area called “Fresh Pond.” Fresh Pond was named after two freshwater ponds that the land stood on, before they were filled in during the early 1900’s.

Before Fresh Pond, the area was part of a 74,000-acre collective area called Newtown, which had been chartered by the Dutch West India Company in 1642.

In 1860, developer George C. Schott was given a vast amount of land in Fresh Pond as repayment of a debt.

Schott named Fresh Pond after his native Glendale, Ohio. Nine years later, John C. Schooley, a real estate agent, bought the substantial amount of property and kept the Glendale name. The

Pizza Classica by Night!

area became a thriving German farming community in the 19th century.

After World War I, the area’s economic base shifted from farming to textiles and breweries. The Atlas Terminal (an industrial park consisting of 16 factories) was the largest employer in the area. Because of the concentration of skilled workers in the area, Glendale played a critical role during World War II, especially in “The Manhattan Project,” which produced the first atomic bombs.

At the beginning of the 21st century, many of Glendale’s industrial buildings were redeveloped into stores and residential buildings. Atlas Terminal was demolished in 2004 and replaced by a shopping center called “The Shops at Atlas Park,” which opened in April of 2006. In other parts of Glendale, national companies such as Trader Joes and Chili’s took over industrial buildings.

It was during this time of Glendale’s transformation that the dreams of Rocco Zummo and his childhood friend and business partner, Edwin Espinosa, became a reality. Having worked and studied under pizza legends Erasmo Troia (RIP)and son Sal Troia of “Rosa Pizza” fame, Rocco and Edwin envisioned having a place they can call their own.

Pizza Classica (known to many as PC) was established in 2003 in a small location in Bayside on Francis Lewis Boulevard. They quickly became known for fine home-style Italian cooking and catering. In 2007, they opened their 2,000 square foot flagship location in Glendale. PC quickly grew their business due to their concentration on quality food and service.

With the support of the community and loyal customers, PC expanded their current location to 4,000 square feet in 2013 by fully renovating the entire building from the kitchen to the patio.

It was through community involvement that led to me meeting Rocco and Edwin. Rocco and I have plenty in common with our passion for giving back to the

community, Sicilian ancestry, and of course Love for food! We are both members of the Queensboro Chapter of UNICO, a Service Organization of Italian Americans established in 1922 to “engage in charitable works, support higher education and perform patriotic deeds.” Our Queensboro Unico Chapter is made up of mostly successful and like-minded Queens-based business owners who take pride and joy in giving back to the community!

Our Queensboro UNICO chapter is one of the most active in the country. Recent projects include awarding multiple college scholarships to Italian American high school students, renovating church bathrooms and gifting a fully equipped handicapped van to a disabled war veteran. UNICO, (the largest Italian American Service Organization in the USA) gives generous ongoing donations of money and food to organizations such as Our Lady of Hope and the Sacred Heart food pantry (see photo).

Rocco and Edwin go above and beyond and can often be found donating pies and Italian food to other worthy organizations in the local community. They also provide catering for the Board of Education. This is what I love about writing this column, uncovering the backstories of friends from immigrant families coming to America (from Sicily and Colombia, respectively) and finding the American Dream, becoming successful and then giving back to the community!

In addition to excellent Italian food, in the pizza world, Pizza Classica is known for their brick-oven grandma slice and their upside-down slice, meaning the cheese goes on top of the dough with the sauce on top instead of the traditional cheese on top. I also enjoy their white pie and they have gluten free and low carb slices on the menu.

I recently invited 6 friends and family to PC for dinner. These gents were hand-picked as they know and appreciate good food. I would consider 5 of the 6 as foodies. For appetizers, we started with their white pie which consists of 3 cheeses, fresh mozzarella, ricotta and romano cheese in addition to baked clams, fried zucchini and the “Classica salad” paired with a bottle

Unico President Anthony D’Angelo with District Governor Gasparre Mistretta presenting a check to Nancy Baer from the Sacred Heart Food Pantry.

of reasonable priced Malbec red wine.

Their white slice was a big hit!

Something happened which, after hosting many dinners over the years, I cannot recall happening before. The next day I heard from all 6 guests, 1 phone call, 2 emails and 3 texts about what a great time with great food they had. These are picky eaters and Pizza Classica has an extensive menu to satisfy the most discerning palate.

The main courses earning rave reviews included Rigatoni Carbonara, (rigatoni with bacon, onions, & peas in a cream sauce), Chicken Scarpariello, (sausage sweet peppers, garlic, lemon, butter, touch of brown gravy), Shrimp Scampi (jumbo shrimp sauteed in butter & wine sauce), and Grilled Veal Spiedini (milk-fed veal stuffed with ham & provolone cheese, lightly breaded and grilled).

We ordered 4 desserts for the table.

My friend Dan noted he had never seen a “vertical tartufo!” The 4 desserts were fresh filled cannoli, raspberry cheesecake, tartufo and chocolate mousse cake. Not a crumb was left on the table.

Pizza Classica has a take-out section, fast order and sit down area. There is fine dining by reservation in the back and a large Covid-friendly tented area for catered events and large dinner parties. It is perfect for group meetings as we have our monthly Unico meetings with 40-50 members from MarchOctober under the PC tent.

My rankings will be released in my final edition in January of 2024. If you are interested in joining Unico (you don’t have to be 100% Italian) or want to tell me your favorite slice and why, there is still time to reach out to me at Rob@InsuranceDoctor.us.

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May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Celebrating 25 Years: Valerie Green/Dance Entropy Valerie Green/Dance Entropy, a cultural staple of Queens since 1998, is pleased to be celebrating its 25Th Anniversary Season!

A dance company that has been “hugely impactful on the cultural landscape of Long Island City,” VG/ DE believes in humanizing movement, both in Artistic Director Valerie Green’s critically acclaimed choreographic work and the company’s mission to plant creative seeds in communities across the world (Elizabeth Luskin, former LIC Partnership President). Based out of its home studio, Green Space, in Queens, VG/DE combines performance and specialized outreach programs to inspire communities in cultural institutions throughout the world.

Green became a Long Island City, Queens pioneer in 2005 when she established Green Space, a 1200 sq ft studio and performance space, in response to the intense need for professional rehearsal, class, and performance space in Queens and New York City. Green Space furthers Dance Entropy’s mission to nurture connections between dance creation and education and build community among dance artists through its programming as a fixture in the NYC dance community.

Resident critically-acclaimed dance company, Valerie Green/ Dance Entropy, strives to break down systemic race, gender and other identity barriers to fulfill the ultimate goal of collectiveness and inclusivity through dance. Featuring nine dancers and six teaching artists, the communities engaged with have included at risk youth, adolescents, trauma survivors, differently abled people, and senior citizens. Ms. Green creates one new boundary-pushing work for her company each season. To date, she has created 42 dances including 10 evening-length works, performing throughout NYC, the US, and internationally.

In September the company premiered HOME at Gibney Dance Center. HOME is an internation-

al cross-collaborative dance project featuring choreographers from six countries including Sweden, India, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Lebanon and the USA. Directed by Green, the dynamic full-evening work, which weaves together the different dances, explores identity, culture, environment, ritual, history, and community.

The Green Space Affordable Rental Program provides a welcoming environment where choreographers can explore, experiment and deepen their creative process. Hannah Maria Hayes of Dance Business Weekly likens Green Space to “a little dance ecosystem, with one dance business nurturing a community of other fledgling dance enterprises.” In 2022, Green Space directly served 318 choreographers, many at the incomparable $10 starting rental rates.

The studio's performance program is comprised of the split-bill series Take Root, inaugurated in 2009, which curates 19 diverse artists per

season for 10 weekend evenings, and Fertile Ground, a works-in-progress showcase inaugurated in 2006, which has featured work by 1007 choreographers to date. Both programs aim to support dance makers in various stages of their process and careers in a wide array of cutting-edge work. Ms. Green also leads Skimming the Surface, a workshop program that aims to work with partner organizations specializing in trauma support services for people in need. She has led these workshops for a variety of partner organizations including the Department of Corrections at Riker’s Island, Phoenix House, Safe Horizon, Crime Victims Treatment Center, Elmhurst Hospital, Queens Library, and more. She also offers therapeutic support groups for adults at affordable rates that meet every other week or one on one sessions.

The company’s talented teaching artist can be found working in NYC schools across the boroughs in collaboration with the Department of

Education and in senior centers throughout Queens, funded by the city’s SU-CASA program.

We hope you will become a part our community. If you are interested in attending any of our events or learning more about Dance Entropy’s programming, serving on our board, or donating please go to DanceEntropy.org or GreenSpaceStudio,org.

Valerie Green

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS TECH CORNER

Santi Khairassame of Project Recess

This week’s featured tech entrepreneur is Santi Khairassame, founder of Project Recess, an ed tech consultancy that partners with K-12 schools to provide meaningful professional development opportunities.

a myriad of topics, all while earning New York State mandated CTLE credit hours. Particularly in today’s world where educators are stretched thin and strapped for time, I’m excited to offer an option that allows them to grow as a professional at their own pace, perhaps in the comfort of sweatpants.

I also think there’s a real need to develop a onestop, on-demand PD platform– right now, educators are often sifting through YouTube videos to learn the skills they need, and I hope that Playground Learning can help to streamline that process.

How did you get your start in tech?

Growing up in Chicago, I had an uncle who was a computer engineer. He gave me my first PC when I was in the 6th grade. The thing booted up in DOS. I was fascinated with Microsoft Word and its seemingly limitless list of fonts. I also had a multimedia design teacher in high school who taught us video editing. One of the first green screen videos I made was inserting myself into an old Conan O’Brien sketch where he goes apple picking with Mr. T. I knew this technology was going to change my life.

I went on to pursue a BFA in Digital Media/Video Production, and a Masters Degree in Learning Technology & Experience Design from New York University before diving into the professional world.

What is your latest project and why are you excited about it?

As a way to scale and reach an even larger number of educators, we have built an online learning platform called Playground Learning. Through the platform, anyone can log in and access ondemand, video-based professional development on

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Why are you excited about the future of tech in Queens?

Queens represents diverse communities, when Queens is elevated in the tech world, so are underrepresented voices and ideas. I’m excited to see Queens become a haven for innovation– rather than the old bridge and tunnel mentality, I believe Queens can become an integral part of the city’s thriving tech scene.

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

The Role of AI in Education

By Santi Khairassame, Founder Project Recess

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or stuck in the perpetual traffic of the Kew Gardens interchange), you've probably heard of ChatGPT and the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to take over the world. While it remains to be seen whether AI will evolve into Skynet, there is no denying that this technology is transforming how people work, communicate, and learn.

AI has become the trending topic in every industry, particularly education. Over the past decades, teaching and learning have progressively incorporated technology-based learning solutions; the pandemic only accelerated this trend. Unfortunately, not all schools have the expertise or resources to implement these solutions effectively, creating a digital divide that only stands to widen with the advent of AI. Project Recess aims to address this challenge by continuing its mission of guiding educators on how to use emerging technologies in meaningful ways. The advent of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, bring our most unique challenge yet, how do we help schools navigate the rela-

tionship between artificial intelligence and authentic learning?

In our 10 years of supporting schools in their use of emerging technologies, I have yet to see a tool generate as much excitement and fear as ChatGPT, the eerily realistic chatbot launched by Open AI. From writing Shakespearean sonnets and high school papers to passing the bar exam, ChatGPT has smashed through the door of the education world. What’s interesting, though, is that despite these impressive feats, ChatGPT is usually painted in a negative light. News outlets often reference the debate over banning ChatGPT in schools, an approach notably instituted by the New York City Department of Education. To me, this seems like a way to stoke fear in the hearts of parents and educators, as if ChatGPT were an enemy that needs to

be defeated. These calls for bans and protests feel like knee-jerk rejections that ignore the opportunity to educate students on how they can responsibly navigate this brave new world.

Life is cyclical, and the backlash against ChatGPT is almost reminiscent of when calculators or the Internet were first introduced in schools.

I propose that, rather than striving to preserve the status quo, educators can learn from past experiences and cautiously embrace these tools to properly evaluate and implement them.

As a contracted NYC DOE vendor, Project Recess leads professional development workshops and training programs that help teachers understand and incorporate technology in their classrooms, including AI-based tools. One of our longstanding partnerships is with Middle School 217 in Briarwood, Queens, where teachers have continually embraced technologies that enhance instruction and learning for their 1,600 students. Principal Patrick Burns has the Wayne Gretzky mindset of "skating to where the puck is going," understand-

Continued on Page 30

Lyft’s Racial Justice Alliance Supports Community Organizations Working to Address Inequality

By: Larry Gallegos, Public Engagement – New York

This June marks one year since Lyft launched the New York Racial Justice Alliance. The last few years have seen the United States go through a public reckoning with its history of racial injustice, shining a light on the longstanding disadvantages faced by communities of color across the nation. The goal of this program is to help support grassroots efforts to create a more equitable society for all.

Since its launch, Lyft’s New York Racial Justice Alliance, which is made up of nonprofit leaders with decades of experience providing much-needed services and resources to communities citywide, has awarded thousands in transportation access and funding grants to New York City-based nonprofit organizations working to address the impacts of systemic racism. Grant awards and recipients are selected by alliance members, and, by proactively empowering and leveraging their expertise, Lyft hopes it can support ongoing efforts to address inequities that are oftentimes overlooked. For far too long, communities throughout the city and state

have faced disparities in opportunities, outcomes and the distribution of resources, and the Alliance aims to break these longstanding patterns.

Alliance members include the Chinese-American Planning Council, UrbanUpbound, Arab American Association of New York, BronxWorks, the Haitian American Caucus and the Hispanic Federation, all of whom are leading service providers who recognize the impact unreliable and inaccessible transportation has on the communities they serve.

The Alliance has awarded grants to a wide variety of organizations including Avenues for Justice, which has diverted thousands of NYC youth from incarceration since 1979; the Korean American Family Service Center, a primary dual agency that addresses domestic violence and sexual assault victims from a combined prevention and intervention perspective; and Murals for Good, a dedicated group of New Yorkers who curate and design mural art. All of the grantees are chosen after they can demonstrate how their organization works to address the impacts of systemic racism and empower people of color through expanding access to community and essential services. Priority is granted to applicants who demonstrate their staff and board reflect the communities they serve.

Lyft’s efforts to break down barriers to transportation access continue this year, as it works with

Alliance members to award even more funding, which grantees can use to advance their programs and mission. The application process is already underway for this quarter. The grants include two for $5,000 that organizations can use as they see fit, from programming to operational expenses, and four $2,000 ride credits grants. Transportation access grantees can then use those ride credits to access things like groceries, healthcare, employment, community resources and other services.

We’ve found that when communities of color can more easily access essential needs and opportunities, they’re better able to tackle the systemic issues that have plagued their members for far too long.

In all, a total of $50,000 in grants was awarded to New York City-based nonprofit organizations in 2022. Lyft looks forward to continuing this work in 2023.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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COVER STORY

Queens Day in Albany Returns for 5th Year

By Matthew Fischetti mfischetti@queensledger.com On Tuesday, May 2, legislators, local business leaders and over 40 different Queens eateries made their way up to Albany to celebrate Queen's Day. Queens Day in Albany, the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s annual event, celebrated its fifth trek to the state’s capitol.

“All of the samples – it is a wide array of businesses. Because that’s what Queens is…we are the most diverse county on the planet. Look at our delegation: that tells you something about how we feel about our borough,” Jamaica area Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman said at the dinner reception.

2023 was Janel Rhymer's first year at Queens Day in Albany. The twoyear chamber member and owner of Holy Sweets NYC, a custom cake and treat business located in Rockaway Park, said she was surprised it was her first year as the event was well organized.

“I have to say it's amazing to be around so many other vendors who are also trying to do the same thing and are like minded, and also the fact that they provided us with the available space to get this work done and to showcase and highlight our sweets,” Rhymer said in an interview.

Holy Sweets brought an assort-

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ment of different samples for attendees to try, including a vegan red velvet marble cake, a pina colada with toasted coconut and a “secret rum” ingredient, as well as a lemon blueberry glaze complete with a blueberry frosting and sauce.

Dr. Priscilla Pender, also of Holy Sweets NYC, said the event was a beneficial experience that allowed greater connections with other Queens eateries.

“You're so used to people seeing you as a competitor even when you're not a competitor. And it's so refreshing to know that you know the Chamber is doing this because it allows for us to see each other more as family than anything else,” said Pender. “And like every vendor here has come up to us. And we're exchanging information, we're exchanging compliments – because everyone here is so good.”

2023 was also Eden Gebre Egziabher’s first year at Queens Day in Albany. The owner of Makina Cafe, an Ethiopian food truck that will soon be opening a brick and mortar location in Sunnyside, said that being able to interact with other Queens businesses was worth the journey.

“It’s been really really good to be in the same space as other business owners. Usually, we’re behind the scenes taking care of and worrying about our own businesses, but this was an opportunity to be in

the same space for the same event,” Gebre Egziabher said.

Gebre Egziabher brought Sambusas, a traditional triangle shaped meat-filled pastry with a jalapeno tomato based hot sauce, which she says is a staple at the truck.

Paty Boccato, of Dutch Kills Bar in Long Island City, an upscale cocktail lounge, is only a recent member of the chamber but said she enjoyed her trip to Albany.

“We didn't really know what to expect, but I loved to see all the fellow Queens businesses here. And

you can see by all of the different businesses being here – you get all the different cultures, all the different ethnicities of Queens in one place. It’s so beautiful to see it.”

Queens Chamber C.E.O. and President Tom Grech celebrated the amount of development and projects happening across the borough at the dinner reception.

“By my last tally, we have $28 billion of projects happening in Queens County,” Grech said.

“We have more projects and more activity than any other county in America.”

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

COVER STORY

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

15th Annual Exhibit at Kimmy Ma Art Studio

By Kimmy Ma, Founder/Principal June 3rd & 4th, 2023, mark the 15th annual art exhibition at Kimmy Ma Art Studio. As a lifelong learner, this milestone reminds me of the motivation that led me to launch my art business 18 years ago and the determination and discipline that have kept me growing. Kimmy Ma Art Studio continues to thrive as a creative sanctuary where the authentic voices of our young talents are fully embraced.

Reflecting on advice from great artists who have come before me, such as Salvador Dali's "have no fear of perfection, you will never reach it," and the recent exhibition of Georgia O'Keeffe's work in NYC, which reminds us that "to see takes time," I also believe that we should not only see with our eyes but with our minds and hearts. We live in a nation of opportunities and aspire to create a better working world by understanding the synchronous role of arts and its related fields. "Have you ever experienced the power of art to ignite curiosity and expand horizons?"

My students have been my best teachers, challenging me to be better each day, as artmaking resides at the intersection of lateral, critical, and design thinking. My curriculum designs in ability level and medium-based instructions challenge our young talents to exercise their originality, make inferences of their resources and create art from their perspective, resonating with their culture and unique creative voice.

Making an impact, one person at a time, requires energy, patience, and most importantly, the investment of time.

Our student body ranges from 5-year-olds to college-bound students, and I am proud to say that three of our young talents who have been with me for 12 years are going

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to college. The artmaking process has challenged them to always think differently and ask questions. These invaluable skills in solution-seeking and problem-solving are vital to their endeavors as they embark on their career journeys. Our students in the past 15 years have placed 1st in multiple national awards, received Gold Keys at Scholastics Competitions, and been awarded admissions to specialized art high schools & FIT, scholarships to SVA in addition to Sophie Davis, Cornell, Princeton, and Harvard.

Every year, our art show weaves a common thread that goes beyond showcasing our young talents' artwork. It is a dialogue on resilience, encouraging a lack of fear in failing and taking risks to experiment with various art forms. Most importantly, we believe that beauty resides

in imperfections. While we may not have the technical perfection of the latest AI-generated art, I am energized by the idea that the open-mindedness in artmaking invites the synergy of collaborative effort in technology, alongside our unique expressions of voices through colors, forms, and heritage in storytelling. This synergy can lead to innovative and unique expressions of creativity.

Art can serve as a tool for social change, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equity. Our annual exhibition aims to raise awareness and foster understanding among different cultures and communities through our storytelling.

Data-driven analytics help us make prudent business decisions, while creative storytelling helps ignite curiosity, develop empathy, expand horizons, and build confidence. Together, we enlist support and collaborate with people who share the vision of building a better future. With gratitude to our art families, we aim to continue communicating our creative contents. As a teaching artist, I believe in providing educational leadership

and successfully coaching our young talents to navigate real-world experiences in our creative industries. We are committed to a working philosophy of understanding the mentality of "we."

"In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen," the Latin translation of Psalm 36:9, means "In Your Light, We See the Light." We invite you to our annual art exhibition at 190-19 Union Turnpike, NY 11366 This article is contributed by Kimmy Ma, Columbia Business School & M.A./Ed. NYU

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

NONPROFIT NEWS

Artists Use NYCHA Scaffolding as Canvas

By Iryna Shkurhan ishkurhan@queensledger.com

A city-wide art program that gave artists the opportunity to transform scaffolding at public housing sites into community-specific murals came to an end last week.

ArtBridge’s City Artists Corps: Bridging the Divide program was started ten months ago in partnership with the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) as the city recovered from the height of the pandemic. Selected artists had a paid opportunity to create an outdoor public facing installation while also engaging and cultivating inspiration from community members in the process.

Since 2009, the ArtBridge program has given artists across the five boroughs an opportunity to install large street-level art installations in unutilized construction fencing. According to their website, artists have installed 60,000 square feet of street art since.

The completion of the Bridging the Divide program was celebrated on April 19 at Manhattan’s Taft Houses.

The event honored the artistic contribution of 59 artists to NYCHA sites across the city, as well as the stories and of the public housing residents that were represented in the art.

“Bridging the Divide shows what’s possible when our artists and residents are empowered to collaborate and create toward a shared vision,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner, Laurie Cumbo, who attended the celebration. “It also shows how innovative use of our public spaces can turn something like a drab green construction shed into a canvas for artistled collective creation, and a platform to engage and inspire New Yorkers.”

Prior to designing their murals, artists led workshops on site where they engaged with the community to include them in the process. For two Queens artists, the art created by children who attended their workshops was incorporated directly in their murals. Each mural was unique to the site, with the community it represents in mind.

Tipu Alam, The Astoria Project, located at 4-03 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria Houses, Queens. Photo by Paul Katcher.

“Each NYCHA site is like a little neighborhood. It’s so different so everyone’s artwork came out differently,” said Kiki Bencosme, an artist who transformed scaffolding at the Pomonok Houses in Flushing. “But at the same time, there was a strong sense of joy and community in all of the artwork.”

During the pandemic, Bencosme was searching online for an outlet for her art when she came across the program and applied for the residency. She chose the Pomonok Houses, just blocks from where she grew up in Briarwood, as the site of her nature-inspired mural.

Over the course of several months, she attended workshops that discussed the art of mural making — a first time artistic endeavor for Bencosme. Eventually she led her own workshops at the site where she gave children the space and opportunity to create their own artwork.

“My goal as an artist is to use my art as a form of social justice and community engagement,” said Bencosme in an interview with the Queens Ledger. “I just wanted the artwork to exist there. And if it could change one person’s day, then I did my job.”

The title of her piece, Dimelo Cantando, which translates to “tell it to me singing” was inspired by her Dominican roots. It is a common greeting phrase of endearment that Bencosme would often hear elders use while growing up.

“It was important for me to have

that title in Spanish to kind of be like, this is representing us, you know, we are not living with everybody else,” said Bencosme. “We are here every single day fighting adversity.”

Close to 90 percent of NYCHA’s 400,000 residents are Black or Hispanic, according to city data. And communities of color in NYC were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Bencosme’s mural, printed and laid over scaffolding, contains an array of florals against a blue background which she designed on Adobe Illustrator. Several of the flowers were lifted from art that children who attended her workshop created.

The mural was taken down this past March, after being up in the Pomonok Houses since July, 2022.

She said that installation was a pivotal moment for her as she recounted childhood memories just blocks away from her installation. And although she never resided in NYCHA housing, she would often visit close friends and family who did.

“My inner child was just radiating,” said Bencosme when she first saw her work installed in person.

“And I was able to connect with kids growing up in the area who grew up like me. So it was just a full circle moment.”

She says that it was bittersweet when the piece came down.

Tipu Alam, another resident artist, installed an layered mural at the Astoria Houses last July. His work, which is still standing, fea-

tures children photographed during his community workshop holding up letters that spell out Astoria with neighborhood spots collaged in the background.

Another side of the scaffolding shows the children photographed wearing various masks, and standing alongside themselves with their mask in hand. He says that the inspiration for the masks came during the Halloween season, when he led the workshop, as well as cultures around the world that hold masks to a high regard.

“It was amazing actually,” said Alam about the reaction that the children had when they saw themselves in his mural. “They were very happy.”

Alam, an immigrant from Bangladesh, chose Astoria as his site after living in the neighborhood for four years and having his work displayed in a local art gallery for two years. He is no stranger to the art of mural painting and has dotted various restaurants across Queens and The Bronx with their own extensive murals.

Both artists say that the program was also a big financial help during the pandemic, and believe that they were fairly compensated for their work. They pointed out that fair compensation is rare in their line of work.

“Everybody walked away, just feeling appreciated as an artist,” said Bencosme. “But also fulfilled that they were able to give back to their own communities.”

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CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Al for Good

Mental health is an integral component of overall health, and its importance cannot be overstated. With increasing awareness and the growing recognition of mental health issues, mental health care has become a crucial aspect of healthcare worldwide. However, despite its critical significance, mental health care continues to be disproportionately expensive, making it unaffordable for many people.

The high cost of mental health care is a global issue and affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Even in developed countries with advanced healthcare systems, mental health care is often unaffordable, leading to limited access to essential services for people in need.

However, DevJee (https://www. devjee.com/) considers the present state of Mental Health a huge opportunity. We feel that the use of Artificial Intelligence can address many of these challenges and significantly improve mental health outcomes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. AI has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, and it has numerous applications in different fields, including healthcare.

One of the significant challenges in mental health is early detection and intervention. Mental health conditions are often difficult to diagnose, and patients may not seek treatment until their symptoms become severe. AI can help address this challenge by analyzing data

from various sources, such as medical records, social media, and wearable devices, to detect early signs of mental health conditions. AI algorithms can identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate the onset of mental health conditions, and healthcare providers can intervene early to prevent or minimize the impact of these conditions.

AI can also help personalize treatment plans for individuals with mental health conditions. Mental health conditions affect people differently, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective. AI algorithms can analyze data from various sources, such as genetic data, medical history, and lifestyle factors, to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual's unique needs.

In addition to detection and treatment, AI can also play a significant role in mental health research.

Mental health research involves analyzing vast amounts of data from various sources, such as clinical trials, medical records, and genetic data. AI can help analyze this data more efficiently, identify patterns and relationships, and generate insights that can inform the development of new treatments and interventions.

Despite the potential benefits of AI in mental health, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed. One of the significant challenges is privacy and security.

Mental health data is sensitive, and it is essential to ensure that data is protected from unauthorized access and use. Another challenge is ensuring that AI algorithms are unbiased

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May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Supporting Young Adults and Local Businesses

By Charles Franchino, Senior Job Developer at Queens Community House

Every year, Queens Community House (QCH) connects with many young adults who struggle during the pivotal transition period from childhood to adult life. Hurdles include family economic hardship, anxiety and depression, peer pressure, and more. Unfortunately, these obstacles make it difficult for many young adults in Queens to see themselves finding a career in the future.

QCH works to ensure that all young people in the borough have access to the same opportunities by providing an array of employment services that prepare them for success in the workplace.

Since 1987, our youth workforce services have been focused on strengthening young people’s communication and teamwork skills, self-esteem, and leadership abilities -- factors associated with long-term educational and career success. Among our wide array of opportunities are Queens Connect Young Adult Food Sector Initiative, YouthBuild Queens, and the Neighborhood Intergenerational Chore and Errand program, all of which provide young adults with solid work experience and opportunities to develop workplace skills.

In 2009, we expanded our youth workforce programming to include NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the nation’s largest youth employment program.

Each year, under NYC’s Department of Youth and Community Development, SYEP provides youth between the ages

of 14 and 24 with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August. QCH’s SYEP participants work in a variety of entry-level jobs at government agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, summer camps, law firms, and retail businesses. QCH also provides workshops on job readiness, career exploration, and financial literacy.

Work experience at a young age can be hard to come by, and many of the skills that make someone a successful worker are learned on the job. Hosting SYEP gives QCH the opportunity to provide these tools to young people across Queens.

Every summer, QCH connects with about 1700 young people through SYEP and helps them find meaningful work experience while providing support for local businesses. One of our young people with a passion for video editing was placed at the Astoria Film Festival last year. “I was able to learn so much about editing techniques for film, something I’ve always been interested in as a hobby,” said Sohail Ahmad, QCH SYEP intern at the Astoria Film Festival. “I would definitely recommend QCH SYEP to any young people in Queens considering it for the summer.”

QCH averages around 250 worksites each year. With the summer being the busiest time of year for many local businesses, SYEP provides them with the help they need. “For the young person entering the working life, and for us as a business, SYEP lends valuable assistance to both the front of the house and the back of the house,” said Francois Danielo, Chef of La Boulangerie de Francois, a local bakery that has been a QCH SYEP worksite for several years. “It’s a great experience for our business and for the workers. The youth coming from QCH SYEP have been so helpful, and we get to return the favor by exposing them to the working world so they can develop key workplace skills.”

As a part of our expanded youth workforce programming, QCH is currently partnered with four high schools for NYC’s CareerREADY

program: Business Tech Early College High School, Newtown High School, High School for Arts & Business, and Hillcrest High School. Through these partnerships, we strengthen connections between academic learning and career exploration for young adults in Queens, helping them build work readiness skills, determine job interests, and receive academic support, including guidance on postsecondary education and the potential to earn college credit. Whether they are looking for the next step after graduation, seeking employment, or building important relationships, we work to ensure young adults feel supported and understand the opportunities available to them.

QCH is currently looking to recruit in-person, virtual, and hybrid worksites in Queens for SYEP this summer. For employers, SYEP adds value by connecting them with hyperlocal NYC talent at no cost, fostering coaching and mentorship skills in current employees, easing the workload of current employees, and offering a fresh perspective to problem solving. If you need help with customer service, tech support, marketing, maintenance support, and more, sign up to be a worksite and partner with us by June 12, 2023. To learn more, email syep@ qchnyc.org.

Queens Community House (QCH) is a multi-service settlement house committed to serving the diverse neighborhoods of Queens. QCH serves more than 25,000 children, youth, adults, and older adults every year. Our mission is to provide individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities.

Through a broad network of programs operating out of 39 sites in 15 neighborhoods, we offer Queens residents a needed support system at every stage of life, helping them to develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills to change their lives for the better and become active participants in their larger community.

Charles Franchino, Senior Job Developer at QCH

19

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

The Path of the Online Shopper, a Vision of the Metaverse

By Angelica Mendez

Immersive, enhanced, custom views of a virtual reality. A seamless shopping experience for an informed and aware customer who shops based on value and values (Mckinsey.com). The metaverse connects disciplines, industries and communication channels. This is my vision of the metaverse.

In this metaverse the video game industry, the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) as well as the retail industry come together to facilitate data flow and with more data, comes a better understanding of the customer journey and their story, a point in time snapshot giving the omnichannel strategy a boost to meet customer expectations.

During the pandemic I saw waves of change in how a customer shops and what they shopped for also changed. My reports were telling me customers were becoming more spiritual and health-conscious purchasing from never before places moving brick and mortar stores into ecommerce overnight.

Exposure: with the metaverse, data is readily available and empowered by emerging technology like AI. I see the metaverse as a digital twin, a living and breathing replica of the building we live in,

Continued from Page 18 and do not reinforce existing biases and discrimination in mental health treatment.

In conclusion, mental health is a crucial aspect of overall health, and the rise of mental health challenges requires innovative solutions. DevJee’s AI solutions will play a significant role in addressing some of these challenges, from early detection and intervention to personalized treatment plans and mental health research. DevJee is also very cognizant that it is essential to address the challenges and ethical concerns associated with the use of

20

the building we shop in or work at.

The digital twin has sensors, collision detection, and sound, and we are seamlessly interacting through all communication channels all in one place under one identity, one dialogue: from Chat, SMS, Voice, Chatbots, Engagement Channels like slack, teams, Social Channels, Email all through our mobile devices or through the digital twin.

Exposure to brands, value and values is happening daily enhancing our senses and reality through AR Glasses, mobile device and as the customer providing me information and experience way before I decide I need a product or a service. “70% of the buyer’s journey is complete before a buyer even reaches out to sales” – intermedia.

Selection: the selection and purchase process have greater speed

and easiness and is customized to the individual customer on a personal level both in person and online. As expected, after all 64% of customers expect to receive real-time assistance regardless of preferred customer service channel (i.e., phone, email, etc.). Connecting social group reviews with overall search engine reviews of a product and or services. With the ability to monetize from community groups that will emerge more and more to share similar value and values giving these groups a voice. “Digital is more than just a sales channel.

It is a way to build connection and community.”-Daniel Heaf, VP of Nike Direct to Consumer (voguebusiness.com*).

THE PROS: Imagine being in a commercial building with sensors, collision detection, and sound, and the building immediately notifies you and 911 that the sister building has been hit and how much time you have to evacuate. Soon after it notifies neighboring buildings.

Sustainability and Emissions proactive response are also a benefit.

THE CONS: With more visibility comes more responsibility and regulation as well as a very competitive environment. In terms of technology a very competitive environment allows for interconnectivity

issues like whether an application will allow information flow or not to another application. In addition, security and privacy risks.

Unified Communications as a service (UCaaS), AEC working on digital twins, the adoption of cloud-based systems, AI powered Bing Search engine, augmented virtual reality are components of my vision of the Metaverse. The metaverse represents what the next generation of shoppers is looking for from their shopping experience; a true omnichannel experience. Gen Z’s next in line to have the purchasing power after Millennials.

LMG LLC is looking to create a platform and connect communities to enhance the SMB voice.

AI in mental health to ensure that AI is used responsibly and effectively to improve mental health outcomes.

The Author is the Founder and President of DevJee Inc., a Queens (NY) based Artificial Intelligence company that is dedicated to improving the mental health of individuals through AI. Our state-of-the-art AI technology is designed to detect patterns and markers in an individual's behavior, language, and social interactions to provide accurate insights into their mental well-being. Our AI algorithms are continuously learning and improving, which ensures that our

diagnoses are always up-to-date and accurate.

With our platform, individuals can easily and conveniently access our AI-powered mental wellbeing tools from the comfort of their homes. They simply need to answer a few questions or engage in a conversation with our AI chatbot, and our technology will analyze their responses to provide a comprehensive mental health score.

Our company is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality mental health care, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.

Partner with our AI company

today to help improve the mental health of individuals and pave the way for a brighter and healthier future for all.

Al for Good

Angelica Mendez

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Secure Your Assets, Optimize Your Process and Protect Your Business By: Taslim Khan

Communications, IT & Cyber Security industries have seen significant advancements through Cloud transformation. Even though the Cloud really started back in the early 2000s, the market adoption took off around 2015.

Firstlight Cloud Xchange (FCX) is a premier Cloud IT & Telecom consulting firm located in Chelsea, Manhattan. FCX has been in the forefront driving the Cloud transformation for businesses of all sizes in the Metro NYC area. With a portfolio of more than 400 partner providers, FCX can deliver the right Cloud solution to meet an organization’s needs and business initiative – on time and within budget.

Ransomware is one of the biggest challenges for all businesses today.

From Verizon’s Data Breach Investigation Report: • 50% of the cyber-attacks target SMBs • Average cost of Data Breach/ Ransomware - $120K to $1.25M Ransomware is not a question of “if” but “when”. As a result of this and other data, in February 2023 FCX, published our cyber security resources page on our website to inform businesses in Queens and NYC so business owners and IT professionals are updated on resources as well as various government mandates in one place. Furthermore, FCX has forged partnerships with

Taslim Khan

premier US based providers who can improve the cyber security posture in under 2 weeks. Through our discovery process along with “Cyber Security Readiness Assessment” and “Penetration Testing” guided by Security Specialists & Engineers, we uncover the security gaps and potentials for breaches. Then we can initiate the implementation of the right solution to secure your business and ensure cyber-insurance eligibility.

Most companies still maintain their IT and security infrastructure in house – as per CloudZero, only 44% of the traditional small businesses use Cloud infrastructure in 2023.

Simply having a firewall (no matter how sophisticated or expensive) and an IT Manager is not enough. First, it’s important to understand that Information Technology or IT and Cyber Security are NOT one and the same. Two very different subject matters that require COMPLETELY different infrastructure and skill sets.

Add government mandated compliances to that and very quickly you will find yourself in deep waters. For a SMB, trying to get a grip on all this in-house is a very tough challenge, if not nearly impossible.

Before we discuss the solutions, let’s look at the typical business practices and the potential security gaps they have today. All financial, legal, health care, manufacturing, nonprofit and government organizations gather personal and con-

fidential information that can range broadly from a credit card number to health report.

As per Private Affairs, following are what these are worth on the dark web: • Credit Card Number - $25 - $120 • HealthCare Data - $250 Since 2019 when the SHIELD ACT got into effect, all NYS businesses are required to comply by this law –safeguarding the “private information” of NY residents and broadening NY’s security breach notification requirements. Whether you are a small pizza restaurant or a large medical facility – you must protect all information.

Again, simply having a firewall & an IT Manager will not protect your business.

Research by FireEye shows: • Ransomware attacks occur during weekday afterhours – 49% & weekends – 27% • Ransomware gets through via email – 90% of the time.

SOC (Security Operations Center) around the country and the globe that offers managed services with active monitoring 24/7/365 by network engineers. This also includes every end point you have such as desktop, laptop and smart device.

So, in the event of a breach due to human error – they can isolate that particular end device in real time and stop the spread of the malware that can cause a hostile takeover and demand for a large ransom. ONLY an MSP can do this – an inhouse IT Manager or a small mom and pop IT shop CANNOT perform this task.

The mom-and-pop IT shops do not have the capacity to provide this service and moreover, to qualify for cyber insurance, one of the requirements that must be met is that your network must be third party managed that is a national MSP with a 24/7/365 multiple geo-diversely located SOCs. These MSPs will also meet all the latest government mandates such as HIPAA, PCI, NIST and many more.

A fully MSP/MSSP managed platform will ensure: • A secured infrastructure and protected assets • Maximum protection against Ransomware • Cyber Security Insurance Compliance & Eligibility • Meeting all Government Mandated Requirements • Minimum Legal & Financial Exposure & Liabilities

Please keep that last number in mind. Ransomware typically gets through emails – which a firewall CANNOT catch. You will need a Managed Service Provider (MSP) and/or a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) that has multiple

21

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

IT’S IN QUEENS!

BY ROB MACKAY With cold, hot, rainy, and windy days, May is the bridge between Winter and Summer. The month is also famous for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Cinco de Mayo, and the Kentucky Derby. Named after Maia, the Roman goddess of fertility, it’s also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In Queens, it’s a time for bird-watching, sheep-shearing, various forms of dance, visual art, concerts, and magic. Please read on for the details.

Sheep Shearing Festival

May 13, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Resident sheep get much-needed haircuts as part of a festival that includes spinning, weaving, and knitting presentations, farmer-led tours, live music, and historic cooking demos.

Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks. (www.queensfarm.org)

The Jim Henson Legacy: A 30th Anniversary Celebration May 13, 1 p.m.

Panel discussion and clips from historic footage located and preserved by The Jim Henson Legacy.

Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District. (www.movingimage. us)

Brahms’ Requiem

May 13, 8 p.m.

More than 200 musicians from Queens College’s Choral Society, Treble Choir, Vocal Ensemble, and Orchestra perform “Ein deutsches Requiem” Queens College, Colden Auditorium, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing. (www.kupferbergcenter. org)

The Magic of Bill Blagg LIVE! May 13 - May 14 This show combines interactive magic by a man with an offthe-cuff personality. Objects float

22

in mid-air and then vanish in the blink of an eye. Shows at 7 pm (May 13) and 4 pm (May 14). Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park. (www.queenstheatre.org)

Queens Taste 2023

May 16, 6 p.m.

Back after a three-year Covid break, this food event attracts several dozen food-and-beverage purveyors who offer samples of their products to several hundred people. Some of the cuisines come from Central America, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Quebec, and Thailand along with borough- based breweries, alcoholic beverage vendors, and juicers.

New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. (www.itsinqueens.com)

The Comedy of Errors

Check out the Sheep Shearing Festival on May 13 at Queens County Farm.

and Baisley Boulevard, Jamaica. (www.blackspectrum.com)

Downtown Festival

Jamaica

Jazz

May 19 - May 20 Two music marathons with some of the world’s most prominent Jazz musicians. May 19 at 6:30 pm and May 20 at noon.

Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. (www.jcal.org)

May 17 - May 19 The Parks Department’s Public Theater Mobile Unit presentsbilingual versions of Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ at 5 pm both afternoons.

ARROW Field House, 35-30 35th St., Astoria. (www.nycgovparks.org)

Tulips, Roses & Wampum: The Seal of Queens in Flowers

The Humours of Bandon

Mary Mattingly: Ebb of a Spring Tide

May 18, 7 p.m.

Presented by Fishamble: The New Play Company and Solas Nua, this play follows a 16-year-old dancer on the eve of the Irish Open Championships 1999.

New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City. (www.newyorkirishcenter.org)

Daughter of the Struggle

May 19, 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Ayanna Gregory presents her onewoman show about growing up with her father, Civil Rights activist Dick Gregory, and other issues. She sings, dances, tells stories, and acts.

Black Spectrum Theatre, inside Roy Wilkins Park near 177th Street

May 20, 11 a.m.

A walking exploration of the borough’s botanical heritage.

Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing. (www.queensbotanical.org)

May 20 - Sept. 9 This exhibition features a 65-foot living sculpture, Water Clock that includes edible vegetation. The clock’s pulse is kept by water from the East River moving through tubes on the structure, a reminder of a life support system and the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems.

Socrates Sculpture Center, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. (www.socratessculpturepark.org)

Oratorio Society of Queens Spring Concert 2023 May 21, 4 p.m.

Maestro David Close conducts live orchestral and solo music by Vivaldi

and Haydn. St. Kevin Church, 45-21 194th St., Flushing. (www.queensoratorio.org)

Stop ‘N’ Swap

May 21, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Reduce waste by dropping off unwanted, clean, reusable items and taking ones you want.

Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks. (www.queensfarm.org)

Bringing Water to Light: An Artist Workshop Series for Flushing Creek May 21, 1 p.m.

A three-hour workshop that visualizes the possibility of daylighting or restoring underground portions of Flushing Creek. After sections were forced underground for the construction of the 1939 World’s Fair, it runs beneath the center of Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. (www.queensmuseum.org)

Stories & Snacks: A Festival of Home Cooking, May 21, 1 p.m.

This inaugural, three-hour festival is an immersive celebration of food and cultural memory in a historic house with a Victorian garden.

Vendors, recipes, workshops, cooking, free samples, and food journalist Caroline Shin.

Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing. (www.vomuseum.org).

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

NONPROFIT NEWS

Mental Health Center Revamped in Woodside

By Iryna Shkurhan ishkurhan@queensledger.com

The Child Center of NY in Woodside was renamed the Cohen Family Wellness Center after a philanthropic couple donated five million dollars to fund holistic mental health services for youth.

As a family-focused nonprofit, the center serves approximately 700 families in Queens every year through a range of programs that target a spectrum of mental health needs present in youth from birth to 24 years of age. Their cultural competency is reflected in clinicians that speak almost a dozen different languages to adequately serve all communities in Queens.

“The Cohen Family Wellness Center is a place that promotes hope, growth, and empowerment for its residents—and our city’s

A family checks in to receive mental health services.

children need a place exactly like it right now,” said Traci Donnelly, CEO of the Child Center, in a statement. “The pandemic only exacer-

bated the struggles of young New Yorkers dealing with the most severe mental health challenges, and the Center is designed to fill that need.”

The Child Center of New York was founded in 1953 as a mental health counseling center in Queens. Today, it serves nearly 43,000 children and their families across the city and on Long Island.

The Woodside location is one of the center’s 70 community and school sites that provide services ranging from early childhood education, an intensive outpatient program and substance abuse treatment.

“The uniqueness about the center is that we have all these programs in one location,” said Abraham Santana, a therapist at Woodside location who previously worked as a school social worker prior to 2020. “I believe the most impact I’ve made was more with individual work with the families.”

One of the center’s success stories is Jonathan Molina, a 17-yearold and life-long Woodside resident who began treatment at the center in 2020 following a psychiatric hospitalization. He experienced anxiety that manifested in overly frequent trips to the bathroom that he says began to affect his quality of life.

“I thought therapy was for people

who are severe, and they needed it.

But I came to realize that therapy is for people who just need a support system,” said Molina in a zoom interview with the Queens Ledger.

Santana, Jonathan’s therapist for the past two years, recounted his experience with working with Molina to reframe anxious thoughts, develop coping strategies and ultimately reduce his anxietyinduced trips to the restroom. They went from meeting twice a week, to only once a month as Molina’s symptoms improved from receiving talk therapy and medication.

“Whenever these big changes happen, I kind of tend to fall back to my original self ,just like freaking out or having second doubts about everything,” said Molina. “But I’ve always managed to come back. So each time it happens, I come back stronger, in a way because I’m more prepared and prepared to tackle these issues. So I feel like the hardest parts are just going away.”

Santana has a caseload of young clients that are working through symptoms of PTSD, ADHD, anxiety and depression.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, he also has a slew of clients that are experiencing bereavement following the loss of a family member.

23

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of

$224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella.

The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION

120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005 aafederation.org QUICK GLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and wellbeing of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development.

Established in 1989, the

Federation is a pan-Asian nonprofit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast.

These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of

$218,000 and over 350 members. Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 President: Ed Probst Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded

in 1997, the Bayside Business Association services all of Bayside business to address issues and concerns those businesses have with regards to running their businesses.

ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (FORMERLY BCNA)

78-27 37 Ave., Ste. 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@accompanycapital.org QUICK GLANCE: Accompany

Capital is an award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender that provides

small and micro business owners in New York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and oneon-one counseling.

Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 million in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provided workshops and one-on-one advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)

85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718.624.9115 bocnet.org QUICK GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of Continued on Page 26

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May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS POP-UP MARKET

May 11, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Join us on May 11, 2023 for a local Spring Market with a large selection of handcrafted items and a private cocktail happy hour celebrating the entrepreneurship of the Queens community Registration is open for local exhibitors interested to participate in our second annual entrepreneur market in Astoria. Space is limited Katch Astoria 31-19 Newtown Avenue Astoria, New York

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE MTA

May 16, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce and MTA present a complimentary webinar on May 16, 2023 for all contractors. MTA is looking for the following trades: • Prime Construction Contracts Ranging from $100,000 to $3,000,000 • Access to Business Loans up to $900,000, per Contract • Free Construction and Business Development Training • Surety Bonding Assistance • Fast Track Payments Within 10 Business Days Virtual www.queenschamber.com

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON BUSINESS

May 17, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

This event will explore the impact of emerging technologies on various aspects of business. Attendees will gain insights into how technology is changing the way we buy and sell goods and services, as well as the latest technologies available for boosting websites. Additionally, the event will cover the topic of how technology is expanding business liability and what steps can be taken to mitigate these risks. This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in technology and how they affect business.

Bulova Corporate Center 75-20 Astoria Boulevard South

East Elmhurst, New York

SPRING NETWORKING WITH QUEENS CHAMBER

May 16, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Summer vibes are in the air!

Join us for this fun-filled opportunity to meet fellow business owners and Members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Come prepared with business cards and information about your company. As always, we are here to make the room smaller for YOU. Join us for this outdoor networking experience.

Complimentary snacks with a cash bar.

Pig Beach BBQ Queens 35-37 36th Street Astoria, New York

QUEENS JOB FAIR

June 1, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Connect with local employers Meet and greet recruiters within the Airport Services, City agencies, Civil Service, Law Enforcement, Transportation, Hospitality industry, and more. This event will be a wonderful opportunity for companies and the community as it is a complimentary invitation of necessary exposure to those who are seeking jobs and information about businesses, the recruitment of potential job seekers, and overall creating an ambiance of networking that is beneficial to all.

Resorts World Casino NYC 110-00 Rockaway Blvd Jamaica, New York

QUEENS BUSINESS EXPO 2023 June 7, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

BIGGER, BOLDER, BETTER! Don’t miss out on this business opportunity to meet over 140 Exhibitors, Multiple Panel Discussions, and a wide range of Speakers considered to be a who’swho in their respective field. Last year, thousands of people attended this expo so don’t miss out!

Citi Field 41 Seaver Way Flushing, New York

25

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.

CHHAYA CDC

37-43 77th Street, #2 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718.478.3848 chhayacdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Core to our strategy is organizing and advocating for systemic changes that remove the barriers to well-being, housing stability, and economic mobility for our communities. For over 20 years, Chhaya has served tens of thousands of individuals and led the charge on key policy issues for immigrants, such as basement legalization, language access, tenants’ rights, and more.

CHINATOWN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP)

217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY 10038 chinatownpartnership.org QUICK GLANCE: Chinatown Partnership, led

by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through strategic positioning.

With the highly popular Weekend Walks street festive series, Mid-Autumn Festival, One Day in NYC, annual Beautification/Earth Day, East West Parade with Little Italy, Double Valentine’s Day to promote the softer side of Chinatown and the Jewelry District and all the cafes, eateries in the area. Explore Chinatown marketing initiative, Lunar Stages outdoor film screenings, and Taste of Chinatown street events, Chinatown Partnership helps promote the area as a special destination to live, work, and visit.

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the

group has over 225 members. Chamber meet-

26

ings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.

GATEWAYJFK

Interim Executive Director: Barbara J. Cohen 718.304.0119 info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org QUICK GLANCE: GatewayJFK is a public-

private partnership providing neighborhood services, improvements and advocacy for the District’s off-airport cargo community and all who live, work or visit the area. A vital link in the global supply chain, GatewayJFK is a distinct and unique NYC neighborhood of major economic significance to the region, the nation, and the world.”

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and repre-

senting over 200 businesses.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group

has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with

more than 350 businesses under its umbrella on Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432

Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamCenterBID (Twitter) @jamcenterbid (Instagram) @Jamaica Center BID (Facebook) QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the

Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. With a budget of over $1 million, the BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430 Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips Vice President: Joseph Morra JFKCoCExec@gmail.com jf kairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group

has over 200 members. The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce. The chamber seeks to create an environment in which members of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its aviation industry.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Long

Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have

120 members and a budget of $115,000.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA) BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Covering roughly 600 busi-

nesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35

businesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80 th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY

P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 212.886.5867 murrayhillnyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan. While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016 postal code).

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with

over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview. Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309

Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID

and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:

has over 300 members. The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secret, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family-owned shops.

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

SUNNYSIDE COMMERCE

a resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

$55,000, the chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies.

ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)

1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org QUICK GLANCE: REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the community, and to create a welcoming and safe environment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org

CHAMBER

OF

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688 sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: With an annual budget of

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: The BID has a budget of

approximately $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella. The mission of Sunnyside Shines is to invigorate and enrich the economic life of the neighborhood by creating a safe and dynamic commercial district.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID

89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C Jamaica, NY 11435 Executive Director: Glen Greenridge 718.291.2110 sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net QUICK GLANCE: The BID was founded in

2004 and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 property owners along Sutphin Boulevard between Hillside Ave. and 94th Ave.

URBAN UPBOUND

40th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101 CEO & Co-Founder: Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor QUICK GLANCE: Urban Upbound, origi-

nally known as East River Development Alliance (ERDA), was co-founded in 2002

by Debra-Ellen Glickstein, a strong advocate of economic development inclusion, and Bishop Mitchell Taylor, a lifelong resident of Queensbridge Houses, with the intention to develop high-quality services that address resident-identified needs. Since then, the organization has grown to serve thousands of youth and adults living in public housing and other low-and moderate-income neighborhoods annually

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH CORPORATE Bayside CJ LLC 212-19 Northern Blvd Bayside, NY 11361 Contact: Roberto Barca, rbarca@ baysidecjd.com K-Four Construction Corp.

23 Wilson Street, 2nd Floor Hartsdale, NY 10530 https://www.kfourconstruction.com Contact: Kevin Joyce, jazmine@ kfourconstruction.com Koeppel Auto Group 74-15 Northern Blvd Jackson Heights, NY 11372 https://www.koeppelautogroup.com Contact: Qiwen Feng, qiwen@ koeppelautogroup.com We have a strong and committed sales staff with many years of experience satisfying our customers’ needs. Feel free to browse our New and Pre-Owned inventory online, request more information about vehicles, set up a test drive or inquire about financing!

Loconsolo Paints 2660 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11223 https://www.loconsolo.com Contact: Jonathan Chiaro, jchiaro@ loconsolo.com Loconsolo Paints has been servicing the painting needs of clientele with family owned and operated Benjamin Moore Paint and Decorating Centers. Beginning as painting contractors, John and Jack Loconsolo understood the value of providing responsive and reliable customer service. Over 65 years ago, the first paint store was established to help them source their paint products to be more competitive in the paint industry.

Today and 4 generations later, Loconsolo Paints is continuing to provide convenient service and quality products..

Mc Gowan 330 7th Avenue, Suite 1902 New York, NY 10001 https://www.mcgowanbuilders.com

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queenschamber.org

NEW MEMBERS Patrick McGowan, pmg@ mcgowanbuilders.com

Founded in 2001, Mc Gowan is a premier construction firm that has constructed millions of square feet for a wide range of market sectors. We utilize cutting-edge technology and innovative building techniques. Comprised of over sixty professionals, we pride ourselves on our quality of work, commitment to excellence and adherence to best practices while providing general contracting and construction management services to private and institutional clients.

Network Cyber Intelligence Advisers 2417 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 311 Garden City Park, NY 11040 https://www.networkcyber.com Gavin Dowd, gdowd@ networkcyber.com We believe that performance, reliability and security shouldn’t be reserved for large and multinational companies. That’s why--in 2002--we set out to deliver the same powerful IT support and services to small and mid-sized businesses. Today, as a leader in the IT and technology space, we take pride in adapting the best enterprise-grade solutions to fit businesses of all sizes. Our mission is to equip you with technology you can trust, and we deliver on that by personally testing each solution, before we deploy it. Our engineers know what works, and we make sure you have nothing less United American Title Agency 101-05 Lefferts Blvd, Suite 201 South Richmond Hill, NY 11419 https://www.uatitleagency.com Contact: George Russo, george@ uatitleagency.com United American Title Agency, LLC is a full-service title and real estate settlement provider that operates in the state of New York. At United American Title Agency, LLC, the client is always our first priority.

Our goal is to make the closing process a smooth one and as easy

as possible for all parties involved.

United Construction and Development Group Corp.

112-15 Northern Blvd, CF2 Corona, NY 11368 https://www.unitedgroupny.com Contact: William Xu, william@ unitedgroupny.com With an extensive background managing and developing commercial, residential, hotel, and retail properties, United Construction and Development Group has developed strong relationships with partners, contractors, and vendors in the local community.

Fern Transportation Inc. 89-14 Parsons Blvd Jamaica, NY 11432 https://www.ferntransportation. com Contact: Andrea Harris, andrea@ ferntransportation.com Forest Café NYC LLC 6804 Burns Street Forest Hills, NY 11375 @forestcafenyc on Instagram Contact: Paul Shim, paul@ forestcafenyc.com

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS

Hopenyc 142-82 Rockaway Blvd, Suite 200 Queens, NY 11436 Contact: Sharo Ramkhelawan, sharo@hopenyc.com

Bartolinos Fine Italian Cuisine 34-15 Broadway, 1st Floor Astoria, NY 11105 https://www.bartolinosastoria.com Contact: Bartolomeo Puccio, bobbybartolinos@aol.com

JRM Business Consulting & Coaching Corp.

775 Park Avenue, Suite 225 Huntington, NY 11743 Contact: Joe Maddalone, jrm@ jmpowerstrategies.com

Blue Steel Auto School 186-07 Jamaica Avenue Hollis, NY 11423 https://www.bluesteelautoschool. com Contact: Crystal Jeffrey, bluesteelautoschool@gmail.com

KM Pharmacy 4135 Kissena Blvd Flushing, NY 11355 https://www.pointy.com/shops/usa/ new-york/queens/km-pharmacy Contact: Henry Lee, kmpharmacyllc@gmail.com

Classico Building Maintenance Inc. 36-38 35th Street Long Island City, NY 10467 https://www.classicobmi.com Contact: Maria Rios, mariarios@ classicobmi.com

Pioneer Business Systems 117 West 29th Street New York, NY 10001 https://www.pioneercopier.com Contact: Dan Sacco, dsacco@ pioneercopier.com

Corporate Loss Prevention Associates Inc. 38 Brooklyn Avenue Massapequa, NY 11758 https://www.clpa.com Contact: Henk Guitjens, hguitjens@clpa.com

Primerica Advisors 251-73 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 201 Bellerose, NY 11426 https://www.primerica.com Contact: Grace Kim, giunekim@ gmail.com

Dan Brennan Media 37 Mackey Avenue Port Washington, NY 11050 https://www.danbrennanmedia. com Contact: Dan Brennan, Danbrennanmedia@gmail.com

P2P Energy Solutions One Meadowlands Plaza, Suite 200 Queens, NJ 07073 https://www.p2pes.com Contact: Tony Manganello, tony.m@p2pes.com

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5 EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Howard Graf

Patrick Yu

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Richard Dzwlewicz

Michelle Stoddart

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chair

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patricia Mezeul Nash Roe

Thomas J. Santucci

Secretary

Kenneth J. Buettner Patricia Ornst Charles E. Callahan, III Salvatore Crifasi David Diraio Steven DeClara Richard Dzwlewicz

President & CEO

Business Development Manager

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Arlene Diangkinay

Jef Gross

Financial Controller

Neil Wagner

Manager of Media Relations

Business Service Program Manager

Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf Fran Gross Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig

1st Equity Title & Closing Services A&L Cesspool Services Corp A+ Technology & Security AARP Abrams Fensterman Ads Engineers, DPC Advanced Technology Alliance AES Aetna Better Health of New York Allegiant Home Care Allied Risk Management, Inc Amna Construction Corp Andromeda Antun’s of Queens Village Approved General Contracting Inc., ARK Import Export Center, LLC At Your Side Home Care Service Avison Young Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service Barasch & McGarry Barn Truck Rental Barone Management LLC Bayside CJ LLC BedRock Real Estate Partners, LLC Berkshire HathawayHomeservices Laffey International Realty Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd. Bonanza Contracting LLC

SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lorraine Chambers Lewis Bert Lurch Meredith Marshall Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul Melinda Murray-Nyack Maria Odysseos

Broadway Stages Brooklyn Tile and Design BRP Companies BTX Global Logistics Bulovas Restorations Inc Capital One Bank Capitol Fire Sprinkler Carben Construction Inc. Carter Milchman and Frank Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens Catholic Health CBIZ Marks Paneth CBRE CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education and Training Century Development Group Cerini and Associates, LLP. Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP Ciampa Organization Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. CitiQuiet Coastal Flooring Solutions ConnectOne Bank Consigli Construction Co Inc Cornell Tech Cornerstone Land Abstract

William Blake Vincent L. Petraro, Esq. Dominick Ciampa George Rozansky Joseph Farber Gerard Thornton Louis D. Laurino Jeff Levine Joseph M. Mattone, Sr

Stephen Preuss Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Sher Sparano

CORPORATE MEMBERS

Cort CPower Energy Management Crescent Properties, Inc Crown Castle Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd Dack Consulting Solutions Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP Dedline AV Diehl & Sons Inc. D.b.a New York Freightliner Direct Clean Service Solutions Edward Jones E-J Electric Installation Co. EJ Stevens Group Elite Builders and Management EMCOR NY/NJ EMU Health ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP EW Howell Construction Group Exquisite Construction corp Fenagh Engineering & Testing First Central Savings Bank First Choice Vending First National Bank of LI Firstlight Cloud Xchange Flushing Bank Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc. Gatsons Electric

Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson Henry Wan Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner Patrick Jenkins John Mascialino

Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC Goodman Goodwill Industries NYNJ Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association Grubb Properties H2M architects + engineers HANAC, Inc. HE2PD, Inc. Healthy Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities HOK Hugh O’Kane Electric Co., Inc. Hydro-Quebec Energy Services IKEA Queens INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry Inggroups Innovo Property Group J Strategies, Inc J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas / Showcase Cinemas James E Fitzgerald Jason Office Products JGM Construction Development, LLC Kasirer, LLC COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc. E-Capital Development Kelair Inc. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MANUFACTURING marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com K-Four Construction Corp.

Adrienne Whaley Lina DeLaCruz Koeppel Auto Group Jay Solly Queens Underground Black & Brown Control Electropolishing Corp.

Laffey Real Estate Film Festivals Sol Strategies lina@controlpublishing.com Legacy Contractors NYC LLC queensunderground718@gmail.com jaypsolly@gmail.com Lenoblelumber Co Kelsey Brow NOT FOR PROFIT Levine Builders King Manor Museum ENTREPRENEURSHIP & Larry Grubler Liberty Ashes Inc. director@kingmanormuseum.org INNOVATION Transitional Services of NY Loconsolo Paints Bill Staniford lgrubler@tsiny.org Macerich BANKING & LAW Rentigo Christine Deska Madison International Realty Mia Sultana BellesBoard/Nonprofit Sector Strategies Mc Gowan bill@staniford.com Ball Signature Bank christine@nonprofitsectorstrategies.org Ryan Letts MD Squared Property Group LLC nsultana@signatureny.com MediSys Health Network Cleonmaye Corporation John Renda REAL ESTATE MedRite Edward Jones rletts@cleonmaye.com Mega Contracting Group LLC Martin Cottingham John.Renda@edwardjones.com Molloy College Avison Young FAMILY-OWNED COMMUNICATIONS martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Mr. T Carting Corp.

BUSINESSES MSN Air Service Inc Jake Oliver Kevin Louie Chad Callahan NBCUniversal Anat Gerstein RIPCO Plaza College Netwolf Cyber Intelligence Advisers jake@anatgerstein.com klouie@ripcony.com cec4@plazacollege.edu Neutron Holdings, Inc Henry Ramos Michael Wang Michael Shoule New York + Atlantic Railway Dedline AV Project Queens New York Life Insurance Company JW Hampton henry@dedlineav.com michael@projectqueens.com New York State Energy Coalition, Inc. mikes@jwhampton.com Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC HEALTHCARE & TECHNOLOGY Northwell Go Health Urgent Care WELLNESS FOOD, BEVERAGE & Sean C. O’Rourke Northwell Health Bert Lurch HOSPITALITY Combs & Company Notionwide Financial E Central Medical Management Jim Quent sorourke@combsandco.com Omni Funding Corp. of America bertl@ecmmgt.com Statewide Public Affairs Onegroup Prabhleen S. Virk jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com On-trac Construction Associates Citrin Cooperman TRANSPORTATION Rachel Kellner Oxford Harriman & Company/Haddad pvirk@citrincooperman.com Phil Jones & Co. Aigner Chocolates Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates LIME rachel@aignerchocolates.com ENERGY Paycor philip@li.me Marshall Haimson PBIPayroll & Workforce Technologies

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Lindsay Haggerty Michael Sullivan Richard Siu

Perch Advisors LLC PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Ponce Bank Praxis Public Relations Priority 1 Security LLC QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens College CUNY Queens Garden Florist Inc Queensborough Community College RBH Restaurant LLC. Regal Heights Renaissance New York Flushing Hotel At Tangram Ripco Investment Sales Rock Brokerage Ronald Fatoullah & Associates Rosco Inc. Royal Waste Services Russo’s on the Bay Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc. Signature Bank Silvercup Studios SkyTrac Access Group, LLC SL Green Realty Corp.

SourceBlue Spectrum Reach Spoton Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s Episcopal Hospital St. John’s University Starbucks Corporation STARS Northwell Health Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC SUNation Solar Systems Target The Astoria World Manor The Durst Organization The Ideal Supply Company The L Grp The Liquidity Source The Sandhu Group Tristate Plumbing Services Corp Tristate Safety Triumvirate Environmental United Airlines United American Title Agency United Construction and Development Group Corp United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. Universal Healthcare USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vassilaros & Sons Coffee VOREA Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 Waymo Webster Bank White Coffee Corp Wildlife Conservation Society XPOexpress Zara Realty

29

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS NEWS

The Role of AI in Education

Continued from Page 11

ing that technology changes and that we must evolve with it to do right by our students. MS 217 was one of the first schools in New York City, if not the first, to request that ChatGPT be unblocked, and is blazing trail by encouraging its teachers to explore and experiment with the platform.

Our collaboration with the school is headed in exciting directions, such as students using MIT-curated curricula to design their own AI projects.

While many educators recognize the potential of AI-based solutions

to personalize learning and improve student outcomes, there are also concerns about the ethical implications of using AI in the classroom. Project Recess acknowledges these concerns and emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach. We strive to instill a philosophy that educators can use AI tools to enhance, not replace, human interaction in education. We also emphasize the importance of building students' existing skills, such as critical thinking and deductive reasoning, to help them take an inquisitive stance on the AI-generated information they will increasingly encoun-

ter. We are working alongside DOE staff to develop an ethical framework for the use of AI in K-12 schools.

Looking ahead, Project Recess is excited by the myriad of possibilities that AI brings to education. In addition to our student-facing projects, we are hopeful to see how AI-powered solutions might enhance teacher professional development and increase collaboration among schools and districts. Though there is much left to learn and experience, we stand firm in our belief that AI tools can play an ethical and productive role in education. Project Recess is honored to be

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

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at the forefront of this new chapter, helping innovative schools around the city shape the future of education.

May 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 5 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information. We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

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As a valued neighbor of the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth, we would like to offer you a 15% Local Loyalty discount.

Pick up a Local Loyalty card at a participating Maspeth business, and present it at our front desk to receive your special 15% OFF rate! Scan the barcode to see the list of participating businesses.