Queens Small Business Leaders Honored at Five Borough MWBE Awards

Today, two Queens small businesses were honored by the Five Chamber Alliance and TD Bank at a ceremony recognizing outstanding Minority and Women Owned-Business Leaders. Elena Barcenes, owner of Rincon Salvadoreno, and Sarah-Beth White, owner of The Broadway Silk Store, each received a Five Borough MWBE Award from the five boroughwide chambers of commerce for their contributions to New York City’s small business community.
 
“The Queens Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates Elena Barcenes of Rincon Salvadoreno and Sarah-Beth White of The Broadway Silk Store for their well-deserved recognition at the Five Borough MWBE Awards,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Their dedication, resilience, and contributions exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship thriving in our borough. We're immensely proud to support these remarkable small business leaders and salute their commitment to both their enterprises and our community. This recognition not only honors them but also highlights the pivotal role played by minority and women-owned enterprises in our local economy, and we remain steadfast in our support for all entrepreneurs through our work at the Queens Chamber and through initiatives like the Small Business Resource Network.”
 
The event, hosted at One Vanderbilt in Midtown Manhattan, also highlighted the importance of the Small Business Resource Network and its commitment to supporting MWBEs, which represent 76% of the businesses it serves. SBRN is a comprehensive approach to small business resiliency that offers free, personalized guidance and support to help businesses grow and thrive. Originally launched as a pandemic recovery effort, the SBRN continues to support small businesses via a collaborative partnership between the five boroughwide chambers of commerce, with generous support from the City of New York.
 
“Today we recognize the extraordinary achievements of 10 businesses and entrepreneurs that not only contribute to the economic vibrancy of New York City but also embody the spirit of equity and diversity,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in a recorded statement. “I also want to recognize the importance and success of the Small Business Resource Network. This collaboration of public and private partners provides key financial and entrepreneurial assistance to the over 230,000 small businesses in New York City.”
 
“NYCEDC is proud to congratulate the 10 exceptional businesses that have been recognized for their outstanding Minority and Women Owned-Businesses Leaders and their contributions to New York City’s economy,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises are essential to ensuring that we are building a vibrant and inclusive economy for all New Yorkers, and we are proud to support the NYC Small Business Resource Network in providing small businesses across all boroughs with the tools and resources they need to succeed.”
 
"Congratulations to this year's honorees at the annual Five Borough M/WBE Awards," said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. "These businesses reflect the diversity and excellence in entrepreneurship that make New York City's commercial corridors the best in the world. It is their hard work and dedication that are the essence of what it means to be the City of Yes."
 
“This award is very important to me. As a five borough MWBE recipient, I am able to represent small minority business owners in New York City,” said Elena Barcenes, owner of Rincon Salvadoreno. “This award represents resilience, hard work, and dedication to my business and community. It represents the importance to work with community organizations, and local businesses, and to have a voice in the community.”
 
“Now in our 4th generation, our 85-year old woman-owned business is honored to be recognized by the Five Chamber Alliance,” said Sarah-Beth White, owner of The Broadway Silk Store. “The Queens Chamber provided incredible support during the pandemic and we were able to take advantage of its many valuable resources and work with really caring, knowledgeable professionals. We are very grateful for all the help the chamber offered during an incredibly difficult time.”
 
The winners of the 2024 Five Borough MWBE Awards are:

• Kenia Gomez, K & G Upright Consulting, Inc, Bronx
• Telloyd Richards, SolTech Energy Inc, Bronx
• Celene Davis and Kawana Jefferson, Sweet Brooklyn, Sweet Catch, Brooklyn
• Jamila and Alfonso Wright, Brooklyn Tea, Brooklyn
• Arnaldo Silva, Sweet Isla Bakery, Manhattan
• Evetta Petty, Harlem’s Heaven Hats, Manhattan
• Elena Barcenes, Rincon Salvadoreno, Queens
• Sarah-Beth White, The Broadway Silk Store, Queens
• Deya Encarnacion Felici, Vinum, Don Cheech, Belvedere Hospitality Group, Staten Island
• Shaw-naé M. Dixon, Shaw-naé’s House, Staten Island

Press release available for download, below.

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