Progress Playbook, in partnership with the New York City Office of Neighborhood Safety, hosted its third annual Renaissance Summit on Saturday, June 27, at BRIC Arts Media in Brooklyn.
Centered on the theme Own the Future Together: Building Businesses that Invest in Neighborhood Prosperity, the event brought together entrepreneurs, residents and community organizations to examine how local businesses can support neighborhood growth through collaboration and investment.
The program opened with remarks from New York City Office of Neighborhood Safety Director Ranti Ogunleye and Progress Playbook Founder and CEO Lloyd Cambridge, who discussed the role of entrepreneurship in creating jobs, supporting community projects and strengthening neighborhoods.
"We believe that strong businesses don’t only create value for their owners," said Cambridge. "They should intentionally create value for the communities they serve. They create jobs, solve problems, build wealth, contribute to community projects and in doing so they help make neighborhoods stronger, safer and sustainable."
A panel moderated by Chris Moncrief of The Kyndred Group featured Jamila Wright of Brooklyn Tea, Gabrielle Davenport of BEM Books & More and Rotimi Akinnuoye of Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits. The discussion focused on cooperative economics, the value of shared commercial spaces and the importance of collaboration among neighborhood businesses.
The summit also included a keynote address by Brooklyn Org President and CEO Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, who spoke about community investment and building long-term economic sustainability. A fireside conversation moderated by Anita Pierce featured PairGap founder Nikki Merkerson, exploring how strategic real estate ownership can help communities build generational wealth.
Additional programming included a Small Business Market, the Imagine Together workshop and the Blueprint Pitch Showcase, where selected participants presented business ventures developed through the Blueprint Project.
The entrepreneurship incubator, created by Progress Playbook in partnership with the New York City Office of Neighborhood Safety, supports residents of NYCHA developments and other historically underinvested communities with business education, mentorship, technical assistance and access to capital.
The event concluded with a closing ceremony and a performance by Dex McBean. Organizers said the Blueprint Project will continue supporting entrepreneurs as they develop businesses intended to expand economic opportunity and contribute to the long-term prosperity of Brooklyn neighborhoods.
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