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L to R: Steph Berwick (2 place), Jyoti (3 place), Being Egypt Mascot, Shelly Bush & Egypt Bush (1 place). nd
RDRC is pleased to showcase the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place SEQBI Pitch Finalist winners. Please browse each winner's logo, website, and description.
RDRC Weekly Newsletter 052925
At BeingEgypt, we empower children to be superheroes by promoting literacy, critical thinking, and creativity through our educational programs and workshops. Our CEO, Egypt Bush, is a 10-year-old bestselling author who leads the charge in inspiring and educating young minds.
Our mission is to provide children with the tools and resources necessary to succeed in the world of literature and beyond, while also fostering impor tant life skills like confidence, resilience, and leadership. With a focus on published authorship and a commitment to end bullying, we equip children with the skills and mindset they need to excel academically and to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Pastazer ts star ted with a single recipe idea for a cooking competition in Las Vegas. There was a theme of pasta that had to be applied, but of course these competitions thrive on creativity and thinking outside the box. So we turned one of the pasta dishes on its head and leveraged a unique desser t experience we had in Italy - chocolate ravioli! Over time we perfected the recipe and created multiple variations of flavors, and continue to expand those flavors (so check back regularly!).
Pastazer ts was founded and developed by Stephanie Berwick and Joel Rumpf. Stephanie has a business background, mainly in technology, and Joel has been a chef for over 30 years. They live in NYC (Rockaway Beach to be specific) and plan to expand Pastazer ts locally and nationally.
Pastazer ts: Luxurious & Innovative Sweet Chocolate Ravioli
Jyoti Jaiswal
Welcome to OMSutra - Where Fashion, Wellness, and Home Decor Embrace Empowerment!
At OMSutra, our core philosophy revolves around providing high-quality products that empower a healthy and spiritual lifestyle, while nur turing a deep sense of environmental and social responsibility. Our mission is to create meaningful economic oppor tunities for marginalized communities, including ar tisans, women at risk, and people with disabilities. Through training, product development, and marketing suppor t, we believe in uplifting lives and fostering a brighter future
Natural, Handcrafted, and Fair-Trade Committed to Sustainable Practices
Upholding Fair Labor Standards and Empowering Communities
OMSutra: Elevating Lives, Embracing Sustainability
Fellows who graduated from SEQBI can expect the following supports as they grow and develop their business:
Allison Jeffrey - Project Manager & Subject Matter Expert in the RDRC office.
Cafe Hours: Mondays & Thursdays @11am via Zoom
Exposure and possible placement with Resorts World NY.
Exposure to and possible placement with JFK International Airport.
MWBE Certification Webinars: Sept 16 & Nov 18 Community Events
SBDC support, e.g. MWBE application, and funding (e.g. grants).
Events - Virtual and In-person
Advisors - 3 month access
RDRC’s Queens Chamber of Commerce membership extends to graduates with free access to events: June 17, 12-4pm - Queens Expo @Resorts World, 110-00 Rockaway BLVD Other Events
RDRC will continue to post SEQBI resources in future versions of this newsletter.
The upcoming summer travel season signifies a combination of higher volumes of travelers and peak construction activities; therefore, the Ride App Pick-Up Locations for Terminals 4,5 & 7 has been relocated.
Here are some suggestions for travelers: use public transportation to avoid delays motorists should use the drop-off, pickup, and waiting lot at the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain JFK station, for a free 8minute ride to airport terminals.
Click the press release for additional information.
Terminal 8 is undergoing a major concession transformation, and that means hundreds of new jobs. There are a wide range of roles including servers, hosts, bartenders, cashiers & sales associates. Interested individuals can sign up to get notified about upcoming job opportunities and hiring events. See the flyer on Page 10 for more information.
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. daily Take free shuttle bus to Lot 66
hours a day/7 days a week
AirTrain to Howard Beach (free exit to Ride App Pick Up lot)
Throughtheupcomingsummertravelseason,theairportwillfacethedualchallengeofhighervolumesofairtravelers combinedwiththepeakofconstructionactivitiesforthe$19billionredevelopmentofJFK.Customersarestronglyadvised tousemasstransittoandfromtheairport,suchasMTANewYorkCityTransitsubwayorbuses,orMTALongIslandRail Road with20-minutetrainsfromGrandCentralTerminalorPennStationtotheAirTrainJFKstationatJamaica.For motorists,thePortAuthorityencouragestheuseofitsfreedrop-off,pickupandwaitinglotattheLeffertsBoulevard AirTrainJFKstation,wherepassengerscaneasilyconnecttothefreeon-airportAirTrainforaneight-minuteridetoairport terminals
VisitConstruction.JFKAirport.comforthelatestupdatesandtraveladvisoriesbeforeheadingtotheairport.
Over the next several weeks RDRC will working with the Office of Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, SBS, REMA4US and Crescent Consulting to provide additional information and support for businesses interested in applying.
Business PREP helps small businesses prepare for emergencies and enhance the resiliency of their operations, assets, and physical space. Program components include:
Emergency Preparedness Workshops and Webinars to educate on business continuity best practices.
Resiliency Online Resources including a Self-Assessment Tool to understand and help mitigate risks
Risk Assessments and Grants for commercial tenants and property owners operating out of a location at risk of flooding
SBS will come to your business to:
Review your physical space, operations, and insurance coverage. Provide a custom report to prepare your business for future disruptions.
Applicants who receive an assessment may also be eligible for a grant of up to $5,000 to buy recommended equipment, such as flood barriers, generators, and fireproof storage containers to improve disaster resiliency.
Key Eligibility Requirements:
Located in an area at risk of flooding. Small business has been in operation for at least 1 year. Annual revenue does not exceed $30 million.
Did not previously receive any grant or benefit from the NYC Department of Small Business Services Business PREP Grant Program or the RISE: NYC program
All required licenses and permits are current.
TO APPLY CLICK HERE:
Spectrum Reach's Pay It Forward program offers selected small businesses free advertising campaign worth up to $15,000, including live and streaming TV, a custom-produced 30-second commercial, expert marketing consultation services and mentoring
Deadline: 12/31/2025
ALL GRANTS - WOMENSNET | GRANTS FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS | SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS (AMBERGRANTSFORWOMEN.COM)
The Amber Grant by WomensNet is providing $10,000 and $25,000 grants for female entrepreneurs to achieve their business dreams.
To be eligible, applicants must be a women-owned business or a female entrepreneur. Further, Applicants must share their business or business idea and explain how they would use the grant money.
Deadline: Monthly
What is a Neighborhood Business Grant?
A Neighborhood Business Grant is a microgrant given out to New York small business owners by CitizensNYC. CitizensNYC awards microgrants of up to $5,000 for initiatives your small business undertakes to positively impact your community.
Who is eligible to apply for a Neighborhood Business Grant?
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for a Neighborhood Business Grant:
• • • • • Their business must be located in one of New York City’s five boroughs. Their business has been operating for at least two years. They must have 10 or fewer employees. They must be profit-generating. They must be able to provide proof of business, such as bank statements, tax documents and POS terminal statements.
As long as you meet the above criteria, we want to hear about your ideas for improving New York.
How do we evaluate applications?
We score applications based on a number of areas, including: Need, Relevance, Urgency, and Quality of Life Impact. For more details about our scoring criteria and what each of these areas means, you can reference our evaluation criteria at the bottom of this page. What is the timeline for applying for a Neighborhood Business Grant?
• • • Grants Open: May 5, 2025 Application Deadline: July 25, 2025 Grant Decisions Announced: September 2025
Applicants who are awarded grants through the first cycle are ineligible to apply again during the second cycle. Applicants for the first cycle who did not receive an award are welcome to submit an updated application for the second cycle. APPLY HERE
Pre-Seed and Seed Matching Fund Program
Program supports various industries including Tech, FinTech, Healthcare. Eligibility for companies with < $2M dilutive funding, focusing on expanding VC access in New York.
Preference for C-Corp structured companies with operations in NY. Companies must be registered in NY, in good standing, and secure matching funds.
Private capital raised in the same round can contribute to financing ratio. Investments in convertible debt or equity must match private capital terms.
NYC Department of Small Business Services offers a Customized Training Grant Program: Businesses select tailored training programs to address challenges.
SBS reimburses up to 60% of costs for various areas. Eligibility:
Grants range from $30,000 to $400,000.
NYC-based, operating for over a year, for-profit. Training involves a minimum of 10 employees. Costs paid upfront and reimbursed quarterly.
Employees can attend different sessions within a year.
Upon completion, businesses must offer wage increases. Businesses with <10 employees can apply as a consortium. Contact for details.
Risk Assessment and Grant Program (nyc.gov)
NYC offers a grant program providing up to $5,000 for resiliency measures like flood barriers. Eligibility includes being in a flood-risk area, operating for at least a year, revenue under $30 million, and no prior NYC SBS grants. All licenses and permits must be current for eligibility.
Funding Range: Up to $5,000
Basic Job Readiness Course for new and less experienced job seekers
Financial Management Course focused on banking and saving, credit, loan products
Vocational Skills Training - Cisco IT Essentials, Certified Customer Service Training, Microsoft Office Certification (self-paced)
Business Workshop Series focused on business formation, accounting & finance, business management, taxation and marketing
Business Management Training - Queens Streetwise MBA Program
MWBE Certification Assistance
Business Networking
Job Readiness and Financial Literacy Training
Paid Summer and After-School Employment Programs
Youth Mentorship and Leadership Development
RDRC Youth Aviators Program
RDRC Youth Media Arts & Communications Program
College Placement Assistance, College Tour
IT Training/Coding
HUD Certified First Time Homebuyer, Foreclosure and Credit
Counseling
Public Space Management & Activation
Commercial Revitalization - Storefront Mural Arts, Facade
Improvement, District Marketing & Placemaking Services
