VC CHATS: Inside The Minds of Investors – Virtual Pitching 101

Due to recent events, startups & investors have had to change the way they connected with one another. With that change came a large amount of misconceptions and fears presented within the startup ecosystem.

We have collaborated with Grit Daily to provide you with insight from two powerful venture capitalists about:

  • How things have changed for investors in the era of COVID
  • How founders should reconsider their business offerings
  • How they should make their biz plans & forecasts more realistic
  • The art of nailing a “pitch-by-zoom”
  • and so many other hot button topics

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Loralyn Mears, Writer – Grit daily, Moderator
Loralyn Mears is a freelance columnist at Grit Daily covering coaching, tech startups, women-in-tech, events, and investors along with wine-food pairings. She spent over a decade playing with mosquito DNA, got her PhD, decided she would rather market science than be at the bench and has never looked back. Along the way, she’s wined and dined her way around the globe. She’s authored two books, including the 2018 Gold Medal Indie Book award-winning, One Sip At a Time: a Memoir. Check out her Women-in-Tech LIKE A BOSS podcast which features fascinating guests with snappy insights. Today she runs “Toasted Marshmellow” and helps companies with their go-to-market strategy whenever she’s not cooking for her teenage step kids who are *always* hungry.
Gina Tedesco, Managing member – Amala Ventures, Guest speaker
Currently, Ms. Tedesco is managing member of Amala Ventures, a venture firm investing in early stage companies with diverse teams and innovative and disruptive technology in the USA and Brazil. Ms. Tedesco is a member of Golden Seeds and member and board member of Jumpstart NJ Angel Network.
Mario Casabona, Founder and Managing Director – Casabona Ventures, – Guest speaker
Mario is an entrepreneur and active angel investor. In 2006, he founded the micro-VC firm Casabona Ventures, investing in over 25 early stage companies. Investments are currently focused on seed stage companies and the Internet of Things (IoT) .

Communicating to Funders: Data + Stories in Virtual Times

Due to recent events, not-for-profits everywhere have had to make slight to radical shifts in programming. To ensure safety among their staff and communities served, those with immediate resources made the call to transition toward virtual programming.

For some it came with few adjustments, for others it was a forced necessity that they were not prepared for. Through the lens of nonprofit leaders, funders, and a digital learning and evaluation expert,

We will explore:

How to center the populations served and front line staff in all decision-making processes (micro)

Use data to drive meaningful collection of new stories or narratives (within virtual environments). (meso)

Best ways one can manage new expectations with funders to work collaboratively. (macro)

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Amanda Ebokosia, MA – Founder, CEO at The Gem Project, Inc., Moderator
Honored by The White House and named by Forbes as a Millennial on a Mission, Amanda A. Ebokosia is Founder & CEO of The Gem Project, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that works to improve high school and college student engagement and on-time graduation through service-learning initiatives, which take on a social justice approach. Since inception, The Gem Project has directly impacted the lives of 2000 youth and young adults.
Elizabeth Bishop, PhD – Director of Curriculum and Outcomes Evaluation at Global Kids; Assistant Director of Strategy, CUNY SPS Youth Studies – Moderator
Dr. Elizabeth Bishop is an educator, researcher, and youth advocate. She serves as Assistant Director of Strategy for the CUNY SPS Youth Studies program where she teaches on the faculty and also serves as Director of Curriculum and Outcomes Evaluation at Global Kids. Previously, Bishop taught on the faculty at Ithaca College, served as Deputy Director at the Center for Institutional and Social Change at Columbia Law School and as Assistant Director of the Peace Corps Fellows Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Originally from Newtown, Connecticut, Bishop began her career as a classroom teacher in the Bronx and has served in leadership positions across NYC public schools and youth development organizations.
Amanda Espaillat, Gem Project High School Fellow – Panelist
Amanda Espaillat is a current sophomore high school student, residing in Newark, New Jersey. Espaillat has been a Gem Project fellow for the past year working on several student-led initiatives, which include revising and drafting a policy brief on improving relationships between students and teachers, voter engagement.
Monica Hall, MPA – Program Associate, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Panelist
Monica Hall serves as Program Associate at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Her work supports RWJF’s focus on developing networks of leaders from every sector who share a vision of what shapes health, and who join together to effect change. She views her work as “supporting tomorrow’s leaders and helping to extend their influence and impact in building a Culture of Health.”
Hawwa Muhammad, MPA – Founder & CEO, Pink Trumpet – Panelist
Hawwa is a social entrepreneur with a passion for helping others bridge creative ideas with sustainable strategies to achieve positive social impact. She is Founder of Pink Trumpet, a business related to helping nonprofits and businesses effectively design, communicate, and amplify their social impact strategies.
Jennifer Negron, MPA – Program Officer, The Pinkerton Foundation – Panelist
Jenny has a unique perspective on the value of Pinkerton grants. In 1998, three days after graduating from New York’s high school for pregnant and parenting teens and six weeks after the birth of her son Joel, she went to work as an “Explainer” in the Science Career Ladder program at the New York Hall of Science–a longtime Pinkerton grantee. While there, she completed her B.A. at Queens College and went on to earn a Master’s in Public Administration at Baruch College. She eventually rose to lead the 100 high school and college Explainers who guide thousands of visitors through the Hall of Science each year.
Shadae McDaniel, MSW – City Leader, All Stars Project – Newark, NJ – Panelist
Shadae McDaniel is City Leader of the All Stars Project (ASP) of Newark. She oversees all of New Jersey All Stars’ free performance-based, after-school youth development programs, including the All Stars Talent Show Network, the Development School for Youth and the All Star’s award-winning Operation Conversation: Cops & Kids. McDaniel directs the ASP’s non-profit partnerships and community-building activities in New Jersey and is also a member of ASP’s national senior leadership team, which is currently working on an extensive reorganization to advance it programs to thrive on a virtual stage.

Natasha Dyer, MPA, SHRM-CP – Deputy Director, Newark Trust for Education – Panelist
Natasha Dyer is Deputy Director of Newark Trust for Education. Prior to joining the Trust, Natasha served as Office Manager for the Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Arts Education at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. There she developed a deeper understanding and attraction to the educational landscape of her hometown—Newark, NJ. With a commitment to the development of her city, Natasha has devoted significant time to civic engagement and immersion in the arts community of Newark.

#TuneInThursdays with ENK MUZIK

=SPACE & Newark Downtown District have collaborated to provide a phenomenal experience for our community members. #tuneinthursdays was created to not only spotlight our amazingly talented local artists but to also bring a moment of cheer, glee, and great tunes to everyone who participates.

ABOUT THE PERFORMER

ENK Muzik, Erica Nicole Kearney, is an artist, a soulful singer, songwriter, and an impactful teacher. She started singing at the age of 3 years old in her childhood church, Lily of the Valley Baptist Church. After singing for some years with her church choir, she gained the confidence to start singing background and sometimes lead for her brother’s group. Erica is has been working on her solo career as a singer, songwriter, and musician. She has auditioned for The Voice and was blessed to be able to make it to the final pre-audition level.

Erica started her teaching career in 2011 at One Step Ahead Performing Art School as a performing arts teacher. She encouraged and developed the children’s creative musical talents from preschool to Kindergarten. As Erica began to develop as a music teacher, she decided to join the YMCA Newark & Vicinity to be a Music Specialist. There she would impact the lives of many children and youth in the Newark and Jersey City community.

Erica loves impacting and changing the lives of others with her voice, songs, and words. She has a passion for empowering and encouraging our youth and also helping them to find their own voice in their own creative way. She hopes that she will be able to make a difference and be a positive influence on all of the lives she touches through her music.

#TuneInThursdays with Janetza Miranda

=SPACE & Newark Downtown District have collaborated to provide a phenomenal experience for our community members. #tuneinthursdays was created to not only spotlight our amazingly talented local artists but to also bring a moment of cheer, glee, and great tunes to everyone who participates.

ABOUT THE PERFORMER

Hailing from Newark, NJ Janétza Miranda’s work is inspired by her Puerto Rican roots, her voice projecting a vibrant range of colours inspired by the sounds of Jazz, Blues, Boleros, Plena y Bomba, & Flamenco.

Janétza fuses the music that inspires her; her favourite songs of today and the past. You can find her performing on her classical Spanish guitar, mixing covers and originals.

She has appeared on NBC’s “The Voice”, performed in the Americando Expo in Milan, Italy & continues to tour around the world.

Mindsets And Strategies That Will Help Your Business NOW!

This webisode will explore basic ideologies and principles that every small business owner needs to undertake to thrive during these unprecedented times.

Mindsets And Strategies That Will Help Your Business NOW! is a precursor to SOYD’s The Small Business CoVid-19 Survival Plan Webinar

NOTE: All Business Owners that register for this webisode/workshop will receive a $99 reduced registration discount for the survival plan webinar.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Ian W. Marrero is co-founder of Stay On Your Daily (SOYD), a New Jersey based business consulting firm whose clients range from small businesses, not-for-profits and school districts. For over 5 years, former Real Estate and Family Law attorney, Mr. Marrero has provided businesses grant and proposal writing services, copywriting, marketing kits, day-to-day operation strategies and customer-centric scaling models.

Mr. Marrero authored Better Business Practices, a comprehensive workbook for small business owners. Mr. Marrero also developed and taught a state grant funded twelve-week intensive business development course. An educator at the primary school to college levels, Mr. Marrero has worked with school districts and colleges to provide business focused STEM programming workshops.

Mr. Marrero received his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers School of Law, Newark, and is a self-published author of fiction.

SHE DID THAT: Netflix Viewing Party

=SPACE is proud to announce that we will be collaborating with Authentic Convos founder, Ayana Iman to present our first Netflix Viewing Party, featuring the well-respected film, ‘She Did That’. We created this experience with our community in mind, knowing how important it is for people to feel connected and heard. Join us as we celebrate boss women who are building their entrepreneurial empires and creating lasting legacies.

We will be hosting a conversation with our host, Ayana Iman afterward!

ABOUT THE HOST

Ayana Iman is the Chief Communications Officer of #AuthenticConvos, an inclusive experience that fervently promotes face-to-face thought-provoking dialogue within diverse communities across the country and seeks to have a profound global impact on the way we engage with one another. She understands the importance of interpersonal communication, and the need for healthy dialogue that extends beyond the digital realm. This platform has allowed her to facilitate community engagement, offer a platform to other speakers and vendors, and give attendees the opportunity to gain professional insight from thought leaders.

Daily Wellness Habits For Entrepreneurs

As an entrepreneur you have a lot of duties to handle, your employees depend on you financially, and it can take a toll on your mental health. Statistically speaking, approximately one half (49%) of entrepreneurs suffer from at least one form of mental health condition during their lifetimes. These include ADHD, bipolar disorder and a host of addictive disorders.

We know that this specific time of uncertainty can have an even more horrendous impact on entrepreneurs especially, being that they are one of the most affected economically. We have collaborated with renowned wellness coach & meditation guide, Yemsrach Tekletsadik, to provide you with tips and tools that will help you handle the stress you may be suffering from.

You need to be on your ‘A’ game more now than ever, and that means making sure you are mentally sound, providing you with the ability to help your business thrive and grow past these days of uncertainty.

About The Speaker

Yemsrach is an Engineer turned Meditation Teacher. After receiving her engineering degree from Cornell University, she worked in corporate America for almost 10 years, where she got to experience first-hand the impact that stress has on the mind and the body. Her search for a happier and healthier life led her to meditation and yoga, which she was determined to share with others.

She got certified and began teaching meditation to others in 2018 and has never been happier. When she’s not leading a meditation class, Yemsrach can be found drinking a glass of Cabernet with friends or going for a run in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Mindful Movement: Live Yoga & Meditation Class

A webisode for ANYONE who needs a meditative break!

You may have spent most of your days working endlessly, unable to go out and release some stress, or just in need of a moment of solace. We want to provide you with an amazing experience that allows you to learn more about meditation, and yoga, allowing you to integrate this into your life.

Join us as we collaborate with I’m So Yoga this Friday to give you a great start to your day!

Mindful Movements with I’m So Yoga is a perfect way to increase your productivity and improve your studying, experience working from home, or anything else.

This is your opportunity to try yoga and learn about how you can take it to the next level. (Beginner Friendly)

ABOUT THE PARTNER

How To Thrive During Uncertainty

A webisode for small business owners, entrepreneurs & freelancers

How can your business thrive during this time of #socialdistancing? I want to help you answer this question.

Let’s map out a strategy to refine your target market, pivot your messaging and update your services to connect and energize your audience.

During the workshop, you will gain clarity and develop a clear plan of action to move your business forward during this time.

About The Author

Jasmine Utterback is a startup business coach, motivational speaker and founder of Creative Women Build (CWB), LLC. She believes women go further together. CWB combines her love for connecting women, hosting empowerment events, and supporting women entrepreneurs.

Jasmine is an Indiana native who moved to New York City four years ago to pursue her dream of working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She uses her diverse range of skills from her public health training and project management experience to curate events and workshops for various audiences. She lives for moments when she is serving the community and empowering women and girls.