12 Creative Startup Leaders to Be Honored at Annual Young Entrepreneurs Awards Gala
The awards committee for the Empower716 Young Entrepreneurs Awards Gala recently selected 12 honorees to recognize at this year's ceremony. The honorees are startup leaders who are 25 or younger in Western New York. Each will receive the Young Entrepreneurs of Color Award because of their innovation, leadership, and creative contribution to the community. The award and ceremony are inspired by the Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP), which RL Experience and True Community Development Corporation created to recognize, spotlight, and support youth of color.
"We are thrilled to recognize 12 young startup leaders with proven entrepreneurial skills and evidence of positively impacting the community with their business success," said Robert Lowery, CEO of RL Experience. "This is a special event because it shows young entrepreneurs of color that their contribution not only matters to society, but is also a positive example for their generation and future ones."
After getting over 70 nominations for the Young Entrepreneurs of Color Award, the awards committee selected these 12 honorees:
Donovan Armprester: At 13 years-old, Donovan is the founder of Munchiez.
Khalil Carr: At 21 years old, Khalil is the founder of Wunder Everything.
Da'monique Hicks: At 14 years-old, Da'monique is the founder of Nailed.By.Nique.
. Kayson Hill: Kayson is the founder of Motivation to Succeed.
LeMoyne Hill: At 25 years-old, LeMoyne Hill is the founder of Great4Life.
Jada Ivey: At 19 yearsold, Jada is the founder of XII XXI.
Legend Lewis: At 14 years-old, Legend is the founder of Legends Sweet Treats and Cool Creations.
Mohamed Maalim: At 25 years-old, Mohamed is the founder of Safari Taxes LLC.
Josiah Ramirez: At 17 years-old, Josiah is the founder of Holy Grains.
Mia Rodwell: At 18 years-old, Mia is the founder of Miracles in Autism.
Essence Shipp: At 14 years old, Essence is the founder of Essence Lazae Beauty.
Chad Williams: At 25 years-old, Chad is the founder of dooProcess.
In addition to receiving the Young Entrepreneurs of Color Awards, each honoree will get a stipend to support the improvement and expansion of their business ventures. This stipend aligns with YEP's desire to remove barriers to success in underserved communities by offering resources and financial support to youth of color.
Honoree Mohamed Maalim will also receive the Dennis Wilson, Jr. Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. This special honor is awarded to one young entrepreneur who showcases a high level of originality, creativity, leadership capabilities, business skills, and commitment to serving the community.
"Mohamed is an incredibly smart, ambitious, and creative entrepreneur," Lowery said. "He's built Safari Taxes LLC into an impressive business and continues to lead it to accomplish bigger goals and experience greater success. His significant contribution to the business environment and community made him the best recipient of the Dennis Wilson Jr. Entrepreneurial Spirit Award."
Last year's Empower716 Young Entrepreneurs Award Gala was the first of its kind and attracted over 300 attendees. Community members are invited again to help acknowledge and celebrate the 12 honorees who are getting recognized at this year's ceremony.
The Empower716 Young Entrepreneurs Award Gala, set for Thursday, April 25, 2024, is designed to be a celebratory evening that not only showcases the incredible talents and entrepreneurial spirit of the honorees but also offers entertainment and inspiring messages.
Scheduled from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST at The Powerhouse in Buffalo, the event will spotlight live performances by the A-Team Band and soloist Anita Frasier, complemented by a presentation from Buffalo's Poet Laureate, Aitina Fareed-Cooke. Adding to the richness of the evening, Jamil Crews of Crews Control Media, LLC will deliver the keynote speech. Co-hosted by Chelsea Lovell, host of Daytime Buffalo on WIVB/ WNLO-TV, and Shelden Gibbs, CEO of Classic Knot, the gala promises to honor and elevate the achievements of young entrepreneurs.
Tickets are available for purchase online at www.empower716.com.