Sunday, October 16, 2022

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - iMentor Education Summit, 10/27/2022




iMentor is an education non-profit and youth mentoring program working to empower first-generation college students to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions through one-on-one mentorships. iMentor partners with five Bronx high schools.

Learn from education stakeholders about what makes their school unique, the joys and challenges their students’ face, and how iMentor supports their students in planning for their post-secondary journeys. Following a lively panel discussion, you will learn more about the iMentor program, how you can become a mentor, and make a difference in the life of a Bronx student.

Panelists:

  •   Moderated by O.J. Watson, Associate Director of Program, NYC, iMentor
  •   Ben Grossman, Principal; Bronx Academy for Software Engineering
  •   Michael Barakat, Principal; Bronx High School for Law and Community Service
  •   David Buie, College Advisor; Bronx Leadership Academy II
  •   Kirsten Larson, Principal; Marble Hill School for International Studies

Thursday, October 20 at 6:00pm 

Network and tour this historic gem in the Bronx and learn stories and tales of its inhabitants. Enjoy a trolley tour of the architectural splendor of one of the nation's most famous burial sites while getting to know fellow New York City business owners and elected officials.

Meet at Woodlawn’s historic Woolworth Chapel and network with fellow business owners while experiencing the architectural beauty of Woodlawn illuminated at night. You will be escorted by the Woodlawn Conservancy Trolley, but some walking may be involved. Please dress for fall weather and wear comfortable shoes. 



Tuesday, October 25 at 10:00am

Featuring Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Chair of the Land Use Committee, to discuss Bronx economic development projects including Hunts Point, and the Kingsbridge Armory, as well as zoning text amendment reforms and his thoughts on the Bronx and NYC economy.

The Coffee and Conversation series, presented by The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, brings together decision makers, influencers, and thought leaders shaping the economic future of the Bronx and highlights priorities identified by Bronx Chamber members.

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational 
workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the 
Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our 
website events calendar link in your browser - 
new events are added weekly!

 

Shots Fired on Neil Avenue off Williamsbridge Road

 

About 7 PM Friday night shots were fired during an argument between two people on Neil Avenue, between Williamsbridge Road and Yates Avenue. Police from the 49th Precinct closed off the block as they recovered two shell casings from the scene of the shooting. No arrests have been made as of yet as the investigation continues.



A small cone marks the spot where one of the shell casings was found by the police. They are looking at the angle the shot may have been fired.


The shooting took place one block from PS 108 on Neil Avenue. 

Attorney General James Announces 88 Guns Turned in at Binghamton Gun Buyback

 

AG James Has Taken More Than 3,600 Firearms Out of Communities Since 2019

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that 88 firearms were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by her office and the Binghamton Police Department. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) accepts — with no questions asked — working and non-working, unloaded firearms in exchange for compensation on site. Today’s event is a part of Attorney General James’ ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and protect New Yorkers throughout the state. To date, Attorney General James has taken more than 3,600 firearms out of communities through gun buyback events and other initiatives since taking office in 2019.

“Gun violence is an epidemic that continues to endanger New York families, and removing unwanted guns from communities is one of the tools we have to confront this crisis,” said Attorney General James. “Through our partnership with the Binghamton Police Department, we were able to organize this important event and successfully get 88 guns off the streets. Every gun that was turned in today will help make this community safer. I will keep working to ensure that Binghamton residents, and all New Yorkers, are protected and can feel safer in their homes and neighborhoods.”


Binghamton GBB Pic 1 10.15.2022Binghamton GBB Pic 2 10.15.2022

Today’s community gun buyback resulted in the collection of 88 guns, including 33 long guns, 50 handguns, three non-working guns, and two assault weapons. Since 2013, OAG has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected more than 5,600 firearms. To date, Attorney General James has helped remove more than 3,600 guns out of communities since 2019.

In exchange for the firearms, OAG offered monetary compensation, in the form of prepaid gift cards, when an unloaded gun was received and secured by an officer on site.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

Fiesta de Flores Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at NYBG
YMCA & Tour de Bronx
MLB Playoffs Set to Generate over $97M in economic development

Legislative & Advocacy Updates
Bronx Chamber of Commerce Appointed to NYC Small Business Commission
Childcare Bill Package Passes City Council
City of Yes Public Meeting on Zoning Text Amendments

Funding Opportunities
NYS SEED Program for Early-Stage Businesses
Small BID Grant Program Launched

Upcoming Events
Autumn Soiree Networking Event at Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy

Member Spotlight
Sandra Erickson Real Estate
iMentor Education Summit
10 14 2022 Friday Extra
FIESTA DE FLORES CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE
SORIN HONORED BY SALAMANCA & NYBG
U.S AMBASSADOR TO UNITED NATIONS DELIVERS REMARKS
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Council Member Rafael Salamanca in conjunction with the New York Botanical Garden, will hosted Fiesta de Flores, a night at the Garden honoring the people of Latin America and the Caribbean who make New York City the vibrant city that it is. 

As part of the event, held on Tuesday, October 11, Council Member Salamanca, honored four New Yorkers who have made significant contributions to the Latino community living in the Bronx, as well as New York City as a whole. 


Joining Bronxites for the festivities, special guest, the honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United Stated Ambassador to the United Nations. 

The four honorees included:
  •    Congressman Ritchie Torres
  •    Lisa Sorin, President, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce
  •    Felipe Febles, Founder & President of the Bronx Dominican Day Parade
  •    Iris Rodríguez-Rosa, First Deputy Commissioner for the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation 

The Bronx Chamber was delighted to support longtime Chamber member New York Botanical Garden and the many businesses which have supported this annual celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture. Sorin is the first Latina to serve as President of a borough-wide Chamber of Commerce in New York City history and serves on the NYC Districting Commission, Gov. Hochul's CHOICE Retirement Board, and the Board of Directors for the MTA.
U.S Ambassador to the United Nations, Hon. Linda Thomas-Greenfield with Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin
Michael Brady, Bronx Chamber Board of Directors & Lisa Sorin, President, Bronx Chamber of Commerce with Bronx Borough Parks Commissioner Yesenia Aponte and Councilmember Rafael Salamanca. Jr.
NORTHEAST YMCA CELEBRATES 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
TOUR DE BRONX & LA CENTRAL YMCA OPENING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER
Chair of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce's Legislative & Policy Committee, Michael Brady, caught up with Michael Rivadeneyra, Vice President for Government Relations, YMCA of Greater New York to discuss the YMCA's new centers in the Bronx and the Tour De Bronx.

The YMCA celebrated it's one year anniversary of the Northeast YMCA in the Edenwald section of the Bronx and has been received by the community with open arms exceeding Year 1 goals. Additionally, the YMCA is excited to open the YMCA at La Central in the South Bronx and has been working with several program partners including, Third Avenue Business Improvement District, to ensure the facility is fully subscribe and provides customized services to residents and visitors alike.

The YMCA has partnered with the Office of the Bronx Borough President for Tour De Bronx an in-person 25-mile ride through the best of the Borough, highlighting Bronx Greenways, Residential Neighborhoods, Historical Districts, Waterfronts, and Tourist Attractions taking place on Sunday, October 23. Virtual tours of 40-miles and 10-miles will be made available on October 24th! Please register separately for the virtual tours. For more information, click here.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS ADD $100 MILLION TO NYC ECONOMY
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS LED BY THE NY YANKEES
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the 2022 Major League Baseball postseason is expected to generate a minimum of $93 million in economic activity for New York City — stimulating local businesses, creating jobs and economic opportunity for New Yorkers across the five boroughs, and continuing to drive the city’s economic recovery.

Each home playoff game played by the New York Yankees and the three already played by the New York Mets in the Wild Card series is projected to generate more than $15 million of economic impact, and — with both teams playing multiple home playoff games for the first time since 2006 — the 2022 postseason could be particularly beneficial to the city’s economic recovery.

new analysis from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) found that each upcoming Yankees postseason home game is expected to generate an economic impact of $21.5 million. A similar NYCEDC analysis found that each of the three Mets postseason home games already played this year were expected to generate an economic impact of $16.9 million.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION LAND USE & OUR ECONOMY
HON. RAFAEL SALAMANCA, JR
The Coffee and Conversation series, presented by The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, brings together decision makers, influencers, and thought leaders shaping the economic future of the Bronx and highlights priorities identified by Bronx Chamber members.

Land Use & Our Economy features Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Chair of the Land Use Committee, to discuss Bronx economic development projects including Hunts Point, and the Kingsbridge Armory, as well as zoning text amendment reforms and his thoughts on the Bronx and NYC economy.

The program launched with Hon. Julie Menin, Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Small Business addressing business concerns, fines, small BID grant funding delays, and NYC Small Business Service Oversight. It has since included solution oriented approaches to financing with the US Small Business Administration, access to State resources with Empire State Development, and will continue with City, State, and Federal partners bringing direct services and resources to our members.

This action packed hour-long, virtual webinar is something you can do from work, the gym, your office - and addresses the very specific needs of our business community. Make sure you check out the full schedule and register!
LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS
Bronx Chamber of Commerce Appointed to NYC Small Business Commission
Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department Of Small Business Services announced Formation Of Small Business Advisory Commission. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce has been appointed to serve on the Commission, as well as on the Adams Commission for the NYC Department of Buildings.

Michael Brady will represent the Bronx Chamber of Commerce on the Small Business Commission, and Darry Saldana and Miguel Matos will represent the Bronx Chamber of Commerce on the Adams Commission for Department of Buildings.

The Small Business Advisory Commission builds on Mayor Eric Adams’ commitment to forge strong partnerships with the City’s business community and slash through regulatory barriers to accelerate the economic recovery. Mayor Adams established the Commission in Executive Order 15 to improve the regulatory ecosystem impacting small businesses, outlined in the Mayor’s economic recovery plan, Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City Economic Recovery.“  

The Commission will deliver input on new policies, laws, and regulations, as well as on existing rules, fines, fees, and violations. It will serve as a critical link between business leaders and city government, and support business growth while preserving public health and safety. The Commission will serve as a critical link between business leaders and City government, and support business growth while preserving public health and safety.  
NYC City Council Passes Legislation to Increase Accessibility for Child Care Services in New York City
The New York City Council passed a legislative package making child care services more accessible in New York City. The legislation addresses systemic issues with child care, establishing a provider directory, a pilot grant program, and planning processes to advance access across the City. Child care is essential for families to ensure their children receive quality care and working parents can succeed in the workforce. Child care is one of the biggest challenges for working women, who experienced some of the greatest job losses from COVID. Nationally, there are approximately 225,000 more men in the labor force than before the pandemic, but 427,000 fewer women. The child care crisis has been exacerbated by the pandemic with the cost of care only increasing. According to a report by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, by late January 2021, an estimated 519,000 New Yorkers were not working due to taking care of a child at home.