The New York Professional Advisors for Community Entrepreneurs (NYPACE) was named a finalist in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility category of the 5th Annual NYC Imagine Awards, sponsored by Chase for Business.
The awards celebrate the most innovative and impactful nonprofits across the New York City metro area.
Selected from nearly 250 applications, NYPACE is one of only four finalists in its category. If chosen, the nonprofit will receive a $5,000 grant to launch its 2026 Workshop Learning Series, five intensive sessions designed for 75 diverse, under-resourced entrepreneurs.
The workshops will cover key strategies in finance, marketing, leadership and long-term sustainability.
“Being a finalist for the NYC Imagine Awards is a testament to NYPACE’s intentional approach to designing programs that meet the growth needs of entrepreneurs in underserved communities,” said Ibrahima Souare, executive director of NYPACE.
This initiative builds on NYPACE’s track record of providing more than 5,000 hours of free advisory support each year. According to its 2024 Annual Report, those efforts have helped retain or create over 170 local jobs while ensuring a 94% business survival rate.
NYPACE is also in the running for the Fan Favorite Award, which comes with an additional $3,000 prize.
Supporters can vote once a day through Sep. 19 by clicking here. The finalist with the most votes will be honored live during the Oct. 28 ceremony.
"The Imagine Awards honors the best of the best, so being named an Imagine Award finalist is a big deal," said NYC Imagine Awards founder Ken Cerini of Cerini & Associates, LLP.
More than 90% of the entrepreneurs supported by NYPACE identify as people of color and over 60% are women. The organization continues to design programs that help these business owners build sustainable companies and strengthen local communities.
