Communitas of New York

Olga Baez is the founder of StriveHigher, Inc., which includes the Kids Building Wealth initiative; and Olga Perez is the founder of MVP Lifeguards and MVP Swimmers. What is the bridge between a venture that fosters early literacy and financial education; and one that aims to create very proficient swimmers and make the water sport accessible to all? It is community engagement! Hear how these two founders planted the seed of collaboration and began to grow shoots and roots that increased their Bronx-focused ventures’ potential exponentially! In this meaningful conversation with host Monique T. Marshall, the two founders discuss filling in gaps in resources for underserved communities, the necessity of improvisation and pivoting when doors close (and others open), and the synergy created when businesses create intentional impact across sectors, hyperlocally.    Visit our podcast page. Visit StriveHigher, Inc. and Kids Building Wealth. Visit MVP Swimmers. Olga Baez StriveHigher Inc. is a Bronx-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved students and their families through early literacy, financial education, and community engagement. Serving children from kindergarten through middle school, our mission is to equip young people with the tools to read with confidence, manage money wisely, and imagine brighter futures. Through our Kids Building Wealth initiative, students learn the fundamentals of saving, budgeting, and entrepreneurship in fun, age-appropriate ways- many even open their first savings accounts or launch small business projects. By starting early and working together with schools and families, we’re building a generation of confident readers, smart savers, and future leaders in the heart of the Bronx.   Olga Perez At MVP Swimmers, our mission is to make very proficient swimmers, one stroke at a time! We provide low-cost, high quality swimming lessons to underserved communities, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill of swimming. We are dedicated to promoting water safety, building confidence, and inspiring a love for swimming through fun and engaging lessons. By making swimming accessible to all, we aim to create a safer, healthier, and more inclusive community.  

Andrea Augustus of Poetic Black Gurl LLC, Ibrahima “Ibro” Badji of Good Vibes, and Amber Peters of On Track With Mizz P. are linked through their venture activities in the education, creative arts, and college access realms, all working in their own unique ways to empower students, families, and educators. In conversation with host Monique T. Marshall, these dynamic “business besties” share how they amplify their power and elevate their intentions through collaboration. How can an entrepreneur handle gatekeepers? How can one find and navigate resources? How to manage time? How to find your “why”? We tackle these questions and more in our joyful conversation. Visit our podcast page for more information. Visit Poetic Black Gurl, LLC. Visit Good Vibes. Visit On Track With Mizz P. Andrea Augustus is the founder of Poetic Black Gurl LLC, an MWBE-certified consulting firm that delivers culturally relevant wellness and professional development programs across NYC. With a background in youth development and creative arts, Andrea creates transformative workshops that empower students, families, and educators through storytelling, healing, and skill-building.  Ibrahima Badji is the founder of Good Vibes, an innovative college and career pathway program focused on individualized support and access to financial aid. We have served more than 2,000 students and 90% of our students go to college debt free. We at good vibes believe in creating ripples of change that not only impact individual lives but entire communities. As the founder of Good Vibes, my journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and the transformative power of education. I am a first-generation student from a low-income background who navigated through the Higher Educational Opportunity Program (HEOP). Good Vibes is not just an organization I founded; it is a part of who I am. I often refer to myself as the 'Robin Hood of College Access' because my mission is to provide financial freedom and college access to students in need. My days are a continuous cycle of passion and purpose. By morning, I am at the forefront of college access and entrepreneurship with Good Vibes, and by night, I continue my commitment through my day job as the stage manager at the New York City Football Club, a professional soccer team. Amber Peters, founder of On Track With Mizz P.  turns the chaos of college planning into clear, affordable plans. This proud Bronxite has spent the last decade helping thousands plan smart, pay less, and succeed beyond high school, making college accessible and attainable for families everywhere.

Marcellis Counts, founder of Apian Industry and André Ware, co-founder & executive director of Bee U NYC, converse with host Monique T. Marshall about their involvement in apiculture-centered entrepreneurship. Hear about the burgeoning collaboration between founders, one from a for-profit venture based on cultivation of strong connections to the land, improvement of the quality of life of residents through development of healing centers elevating beekeeping and farming; and the other a non-profit venture focusing on experiential education, engaging urban communities through hands-on training in beekeeping, leadership, and environmental advocacy. Listen and find out how these entrepreneurs’ involvement in apiculture present opportunities for a cultural shift in urban spaces, and how, together, these entrepreneurs deal with the fact that entrepreneurship is about doing things for the first time, very often.   Visit our podcast page.  Visit Apian Industry.  Visit Bee U NYC.  Marcellis Counts My name is Marcellis Counts, founder of Apiary in the Sky, LLC (now Apian Industry), and graduate of Seton Hall University, where I studied Social Work. As a lifelong student, throughout my career, I have always had a passion for helping people solve problems. Entrepreneurship has taught me the importance of helping oneself before successfully helping others. Starting a business has been a defining moment for me because no matter how far I go in life, there is always more to learn. I consider myself fortunate to have cultivated a strong connection to the land, all of its creatures, and I look forward to the future of discovery and innovation that is yet to come. Being raised in Newark, NJ, I believe that more people should have an opportunity to experience the benefits of nature and live safe, happy, and productive lives free of stress and anxiety.   André Ware André Ware is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Bee U NYC, a non-profit organization that engages urban communities through beekeeping and environmental advocacy. Born and raised in Brooklyn, André developed a passion for experiential education after traveling to Chile and Kenya as a high school student, later serving in the Peace Corps in Ukraine, supporting Internally Displaced people. He has managed and directed programs across several non-profits, including Global Glimpse, the Center for Justice Innovation, and Global Kids, and is committed to education reform that centers youth experiences beyond the classroom. André holds a BA in Political Science and International Studies from Niagara University and an MPA in Social and Political Advocacy from NYU’s Wagner School.

Jessica Valencia, co-founder of and Head of Communications at UnlockNYC, is driving the women-led effort to provide direct services, data analysis, and advocacy in order to implement a power shift where landlords and brokers fear the social and financial costs of discriminating against voucher holders. Hear Jessica recount her personal story as she discusses with host Monique T. Marshall the challenges of teaching voucher holders with no safety net how to advocate for themselves, and the significance of “paying it forward.” How does an entrepreneur engage in the balancing act of creating the right fit between a clear and strong mission and potential funders of all ilks? Visit our podcast page for more information. Visit UnlockNYC.

Vicky Garalina, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and doctoral-degree holder in education, is the founder and executive director of Inspiring Futures, Inc, a nonprofit organization through which she improves high school and college graduation rates for young people with system involvement by providing free and comprehensive mental health and academic support. Vicky and host Monique T. Marshall discuss perseverance, the challenges of keeping the model of support to beneficiaries as open as possible, and the ban in New York State on non-profit enterprises providing professional services. How does an entrepreneur engage in fundraising in the face of having zero connections? Visit our podcast page for more information. Visit Inspiring Futures, Inc.

Co-founder and CEO of Hera Health Solutions, Idicula Mathew is at the forefront of drug delivery technology, owing to his investigation of the synergy between biodegradable materials and pharmaceutical drug delivery of therapeutics to the human body. Idicula and host Monique T. Marshall discuss ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies in the health sector while maintaining high levels of innovation, and keeping in direct touch with investors and potential stakeholders. How can an entrepreneur scale up to global impactfulness while still remaining true to the original mission? Visit our podcast page for more information. Visit Hera Health Solutions.

An entrepreneur and doctoral-degree-holder in chemistry, Jiye Son, who previously worked in New York City nail salons, is now using her knowledge and experience to engineer a less volatile and safer alternative to nail polishes and gels that are widely used today. In this fascinating conversation, Jiye and host Monique T. Marshall discuss issues of trying to find time to apply for programs and grants while running a business, managing interns, and struggling to incorporate an educational element into the brand. How does an entrepreneur experiencing success deal with impostor syndrome? Visit our podcast page for more information. Visit Anew Material.

An experienced behavior specialist working in the individual and family services and health industries, Lucas Addo is the Founder of TRAC Activities. As a dedicated advocate for individuals with autism, he creates and fosters more personalized and engaging learning experiences for that population in nurturing and supportive environments. Alongside TRAC Activities, Lucas is the founder of Eleos Behavior Care, which specializes in Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy. In this joyful conversation, Lucas and host Monique T. Marshall discuss unlocking the full potential of the individual, utilizing the resource that is the surrounding community, and carrying on even in the face of the absence of funds. What happens when customers feel like family? Visit our podcast page for more information. Visit TRAC Activities. Visit Eleos Behavior Care.

Artist, art educator, and Founder/CEO of Stapledon Arts, Charlecia Joy, runs an inclusive art supply company transforming creativity by addressing the representation gap for artists of color. Joy and host Monique T. Marshall tackle the topics of meeting a stakeholder where they are, developing a physical product, and experiencing the beauty of receiving feedback. How does an entrepreneur nurture a target audience while also aiming for growth through maximum conversions?  Visit our podcast page for more information. Visit Stapledon Arts.

The founder and CEO of Grassroots Grocery, a fast-growing nonprofit transforming food access through community-powered produce distributions, mobilizes thousands of volunteers and distributes millions of pounds of fresh produce to underserved neighborhoods across New York City. Dan and host Monique T. Marshall discuss vulnerability, the willingness to learn from mistakes, and the importance of focusing on growth trajectory, not just unbridled growth itself. How does an entrepreneur make short-term sacrifices in order to support the long-term mission? Visit our podcast page for more information. Visit Grassroots Grocery.