By: Kinisha Correia
This Sunday, March 26, successful Brooklyn-based entrepreneur, Ingrid Murray, will receive Young Gifted & Black’s Women-N-M.O.T.I.O.N. Empowerment Award at the Simpson Restaurant & Bar in Brooklyn. Along with the women’s empowerment award, Murray and nine other women honorees will also receive a congressional certificate from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, a citation from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and senate resolution from New York State Senator Kevin Parker.
Brooklyn-Based Business
Murray’s business, Prospect Cleaning Service Inc, is a building maintenance company in Brooklyn that services the public and private sectors throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. During the pandemic, the business’ profits shot up by 651 percent, and Murray quickly became known as a leading woman in business, receiving widespread recognition on the city, state and national levels. Her recent accolades include landing on Inc 5000's list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States in 2022, and being awarded the Best Woman-Owned Business in New York by Competitive Edge in 2021.
The announcement of the Women-N-M.O.T.I.O.N. Empowerment Award took Murray by surprise. “My father always told me that you must do good and good will follow you,” she laughed. “It’s why you have to be careful, you never know who is taking note and who is watching!”
Murray’s Journey
Murray migrated to the United States from humble beginnings in Jamaica thirteen years ago. Over the years, she worked various odd jobs, until 2014 when she took over her husband’s cleaning company and grew it from a mom-and-pop residential operation that made around $70,000 per year, to where it is today - a seven-figure venture that commands large corporate and government contracts.
Given the economic turmoil inflicted by the pandemic, Murray’s business growth is a particularly impressive feat. It’s a period she is forever grateful for, but it was also a time of countless hours of work and enormous stress. The award recognizes Murray’s fortitude along her journey. “I truly am honored and I take nothing for granted,” Murray stated. “I’m grateful for the exposure and the networking opportunities,” she continued, noting she’s excited to meet fellow honorees who are also women who have broken through enormous barriers to attaining success.
Young Gifted and Black
Each year Young Gifted & Black (YGB) honors a select group of astounding women who are leaders, motivators, business professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs. YGB was founded 18 years ago by Carl O. Gray, also a Jamaican-born, New York-based entrepreneur. He created the organization to spotlight notable African American and Caribbean diaspora entrepreneurs. This year’s event will honor 10 women from diverse backgrounds, in celebration of Women’s History Month.
More information about the event can be found at www.ygbawards.com.
