Central Brooklyn Housing Council Offers Affordable Solutions to Minority & Women Entrepreneurs

Posted on March 23, 2011 by admin

Central Brooklyn Housing Council Opens its Doors in Bedford Stuyvesant, Delivering Niche Business and Community Development Solutions

 

Brooklyn, NY. March 23, 2011. Central Brooklyn Housing Council opens its Bedford-Stuyvesant doors to provide niche business and community development solutions for minority and women entrepreneurs, tomorrow, Thursday, March 24, 2011, with its press launch at 1pm, and open house registration, beginning at 4pm.

Central Brooklyn Housing Council (CBHC), 501C3, serves as a new model for building sustainable, efficient business enterprises and community development. In 2010, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke earmarked Congressional funds for CBHC’s first Business Development Program, through the Small Business Administration (SBA).

CBHC’s Business Development Program (BDP) offers assistance for early stage firms and the creation of new start-up businesses. CBHC-BDP fosters entrepreneurial and economic growth in the Bedford-Stuyvesant and surrounding Central Brooklyn communities, with affordable business services, training and networking.

For over 10 years, CBHC Executive Director and BDP Founder Tammy Wills has worked with non-profits throughout Brooklyn, providing tax preparation and strategy, bookkeeping and small business consulting. She has helped manage a Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program site for over five years, all while building her own strategy for a comprehensive professional resource center.

Wills explains, “CBHC’s training, services and membership address much of what entrepreneurs need to sustain in this day and time. By moving businesses forward, we positively impact our community. We listen and respond to what our members, partners and associates need with convenient, real solutions.”

CBHC is housed across from Von King Park at the Magnolia Tree Earth Center, with others including Our Time Press, Brooklyn Art Incubator, Project Re-Generation and Brooklyn Queens Land Trust. Magnolia Tree Earth Center was founded in 1970 by the late visionary Hattie Carthan, who saved a now landmarked magnolia tree from a city bulldozer and pioneered the neighborhood’s green initiative.

CBHC Open House Registration begins March 24th and lasts until Friday, April 1st. Call CBHC at 347.770.8929 and learn more at www.centralbrooklynhousingcouncil.org.

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Brooklyn’s Finest: Just Because Hair Therapy Honors Women and Preps High School Seniors for Prom

Posted on March 7, 2011 by admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brooklyn’s Finest: Just Because Hair Therapy Salon

Hosts Beauty Series at Dr. Susan McKinney School of the Arts for Women’s History Month and Spring Prom

Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY. March 7, 2011. Just Because Hair Therapy Salon brings its “Prom Queen Project” Series back to Dr. Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts to honor Women’s History Month in March, and to celebrate its Spring Prom.

The “Prom Queen Project” (PQP) addresses the inner and outer aspects of beauty for young women of color. It emphasizes outer beauty topics like healthy hair and nail care, fashion by body type, and Spring makeup tips. The inner beauty topics include feminine poise, effective communication and proper social and dining etiquette.

Approximately thirty female senior students engage in three PQP seminars and submit an essay- summarizing their PQP experience, and explaining the qualities of a true Prom Queen. Based on their essays, six young ladies are selected to attend a VIP luncheon in April, where their ultimate prize is described… an exclusive (free) Prom Queen Package; including hair and makeup services, a custom-fitted prom dress, shoes, jewelry and accessories.

Carol Thomas, Just Because Hair Therapy Salon Owner and PQP Founder explains her motivation for starting the informal mentoring program as a way to positively impact young women of color in urban communities, such as Fort Greene.

“I see these girls day in and day out, and wanted to do something about how they carried themselves. The Prom is usually the official ‘coming out’ for many girls. It marks the first time they are presented as a lady. Thus, PQP made perfect sense to me,” she states.

Just Because Hair Therapy Salon is hosting “Spring Fling: A FUNdraiser for our Queens” on Saturday, March 19th from 6-9pm at their Fort Greene location. In exchange for all monetary and in-kind donations (clean, gently-used formal dresses of all sizes), guests will enjoy massages, beauty consultations, raffle prizes and more. All other Prom Queen Project donations will be accepted through April 30, 2011.

This year, PQP has gathered the support of leading female professionals in fashion, beauty, media and entrepreneurship, including Fashion Designer, Stylist and Author Carmen Webber (Project Runway, Look for Less, Sistahs of Harlem), Celebrity Makeup Artist Kim White (Rachael Ray Show), Attorney and Editor-in-Chief Keija Minor (Uptown Magazine) and several others.

Thomas launched PQP in 2009, and received an overwhelmingly positive response, including a New York Daily News feature. Loyal clients, community organizations like Fort Greene Association and Myrtle Avenue Business Partnership, and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke all generously supported with dress donations, corsages, food and more.

For More Information, Please Contact: Trina Morris, Style Root Inc. 718.789.0075 / 917.859.4217/ trina@localhost/wordpress.

Just Because Hair Therapy Salon is a premiere full-service salon, providing more than just a stylish experience in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Servicing male and female clients of all hair types, experienced hair stylists strive to satisfy and enrich clients by using wholesome professional products and serving with integrity… Just Because. Call 718.722.7810, or visit www.justbecausehairsalon.com for appointments, consultations and exclusive treatments.

 

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Lift Every New Voice: Water Street Restaurant Celebrates Black History with Song and Film

Posted on February 11, 2011 by admin

“Lift Every Voice” and “New Voices in Black Cinema”

Water Street Restaurant Celebrates Black History with Song and Film

DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY. February 11, 2010. Water Street Restaurant celebrates Black History Month with castings for its first-ever “Lift Every Voice: Sunday Brunch” Gospel Choir Competition, and by sponsoring ActNow Foundation’s premiere New Voices in Black Cinema Festival held at BAMcinematek, which concluded on Wednesday evening.

Water Street Restaurant invites all Brooklyn-based gospel choirs to “Lift Every Voice” to raise money for themselves and their church, by entering its first-ever gospel choir competition, beginning on March 6, 2011, during Sunday Brunch. The competition will span over eight weeks, and will also feature a weekly performance by one of its esteemed judges, Grammy Award-winning Songwriter, Producer and Artist Gordon Chambers.

Seven choirs will be selected to perform, of which only five will advance to the Finals. On Thursday, April 21st, three winning choirs will be presented with a prize check ($700, $400, $250 respectively), and the 1st Place choir will be offered a paid Sunday “Gospel Brunch” performance contract at Water Street Restaurant, starting as early as Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011.

“Lift Every Voice: Sunday Brunch” Gospel Choir Competition celebrates the spirit and strength of the African American gospel tradition, and aims to empower each participating choir. Therefore, on the Sunday of each choir’s performance, Water Street Restaurant will make a check out to the representing church for 10% of the Brunch’s gross profits.

Managing Partner Jeffrey Rodman explains, “Its important that each choir has an opportunity to raise money for their own church, whether they win the competition or not. We want ‘every lifted voice’ to make a positive impact.”

To apply, gospel choirs may go online or call Water Street Restaurant for more information. Each choir must supply a performance or musical selection sample. The competition deadline is next Friday, February 18, 2011.

Last Saturday, February 5th, Water Street Restaurant supported Brooklyn-based filmmakers at the New Voices in Black Cinema Festival, alongside Council Member Letitia James, and other distinguished sponsoring organizations like Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (Epsilon and Omicron chapters), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Delta Rho Omega chapter), American Cancer Society and Brooklyn’s own Soul Summit Music.

Water Street Restaurant and Under Water Lounge are located at 66 Water, along the cobblestone streets of DUMBO’s historic waterfront district, in the shadows of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Water Street Restaurant celebrates its new menu of Southern-inspired cuisine, by preserving the flavor of history in a modern dining experience. For daily specials, weekly/monthly events and private bookings, call 718.625.9352, or visit www.waterstreetrestaurant.com.

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“Kids Love Toys”: Valentines Day Toy Drive in DUMBO Recycles Love

Posted on February 7, 2011 by admin

“KIDS LOVE TOYS”

Water Street Restaurant Celebrates Valentines Day with Charity Toy Drive

DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY. February 7, 2010. Water Street Restaurant will host St. John’s Place Family Center for a fun and festive Valentine’s Day Toy Drive event, affectionately called “Kids Love Toys”, on Monday, Feb. 14th from 4-6pm.

St. John’s Place Family Center provides excellent temporary housing, day care, infant care and other services to nearly 100 families in search of affordable housing. Water Street welcomes approximately 20 of their children (ages 5 & 6) as select benefactors of clean, gently-used, donated toys and games.

“’Kids Love Toys’ is an excellent opportunity for parents to de-clutter their child’s room, recycle toys and games through another deserving child, and offer their children another meaningful example of sharing- especially with someone less fortunate,” explains General Manager, Brian Ritchie.

“Kids Love Toys” will be a joyful Valentines Day event filled with snacks, candies and cards, coloring activities, cartoon movies and much more.

Water Street Restaurant is asking all of its patrons to donate, while enjoying their Valentines Day Prix Fixe Dinner (which includes truffles from next-door neighbor, Jacques Torres Chocolates). They are also reaching out to area residents, parental organizations and nearby children retailers for donations as well. Donors are asked to drop off clean, gently-used toys and games at 66 Water Street all week, and retailers are encouraged to call and arrange pickup for sizable donations.

Water Street welcomes families to dine with them year round, and has recently morphed its children’s menu into a dual-functioning ‘coloring coupon’. Children are encouraged to bring their fully colored sheet back to the restaurant for a special dining discount.

Water Street Restaurant and Under Water Lounge are located at 66 Water, along the cobblestone streets of DUMBO’s historic waterfront district, in the shadows of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Water Street Restaurant celebrates its new menu of Southern-inspired cuisine, by preserving the flavor of history in a modern dining experience. For daily specials, weekly/monthly events and private bookings, call 718.625.9352, or visit www.waterstreetrestaurant.com.

For more information, please contact Trina Morris, Style Root Inc. 718.789.0075. 917.859.4217. trina@localhost/wordpress.

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GUMBO in DUMBO: Water Street Restaurant Presents new Southern Cuisine & Dining Experience

Posted on December 31, 2010 by admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


GUMBO in DUMBO:

Water Street Restaurant Presents Its New Southern Cuisine and Dining Experience

DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY. December 31, 2010. Water Street Restaurant presents its all-new menu selection of southern-inspired cuisine, today at their 66 Water landmarked location.

Now in its tenth year, Water Street Restaurant celebrates the unique journey of each guest it serves; be it from across the Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridge, the Mason-Dixon Line or international waters. The new Southern cuisine concept blends Water Street’s genuine Brooklyn welcome and savory DUMBO experience.

Water Street’s new menu will feature signature southern dishes like shrimp and grits, slow-cooked ribs, deviled eggs, fried chicken and more; Chef Reggie’s homemade crab cakes and lobster puffpie; and pastries like sweet potato and pecan pie, or Red Hook’s own Authentic Steve’s key lime pie.

“Southern cuisine has so many influences- British, French, African American, Native American, Irish… they are ALL in there,” explains Chef Reggie, who weighed recipes from Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi, before confirming the final menu selection of seafood, stews, salads, meats and vegetables.

The assorted inspiration of Water Street’s new menu reflects the cultural spread of the DUMBO community. Water Street welcomes its revered artists and galleries, visiting cultural enthusiasts, digital media creatives, progressive singles, couples and families, as well as its niche retailers. Water Street Restaurant has hosted several resident collectives, including the Brooklyn Arts Council, DUMBO Parents Organization, St. Ann’s Warehouse; and has worked with the DUMBO Arts and Film Festivals respectively, BRIC Studios and other area nonprofits.

“Water Street Restaurant is like those (Manhattan and Brooklyn) Bridges… we connect one life experience to another. Our dining style is warm, familiar and full of flavor that sends you well on your way,” states General Manager Brian Ritchie.

Together with its quality service, Water Street’s amber-lit ambiance, exposed brick walls and vintage photograph gallery offer its best take on southern hospitality; all while preserving its old Brooklyn façade and nearby Manhattan cityscape.

Water Street Restaurant is open seven days a week (excluding Christmas Day), with daily menu specials, as well as weekly and monthly events for adults and children. Water Street will be hosting its 5th Annual New Year’s Eve “Procrastinator’s Ball” TONIGHT, and its first New Year’s Day Brunch on tomorrow, January 1, 2011.

Water Street Restaurant and Under Water Lounge are located at 66 Water, along the cobblestone streets of DUMBO’s historic waterfront district, in the shadows of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Water Street Restaurant celebrates its new menu of Southern-inspired cuisine, by preserving the flavor of history in a modern dining experience. For daily specials, weekly/monthly events and private bookings, call 718.625.9352, or visit www.waterstreetrestaurant.com.

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