Brooklyn entrepreneurs granted over $40k from BPL PowerUp! program
PowerUp! 2024 winners. Photo by Gregg Richards
By Mandie-Beth Chau
November 15, 2024
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BROOKLYN — Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) awarded over $40,000 to eight Brooklyn-based businesses and entrepreneurs through its 21st annual PowerUp! competition on Thursday, Nov. 14. CBS News New York’s Brooklyn reporter Hannah Kliger hosted the ceremony which honored Noir Yoga of Bedford-Stuyvesant with a $40,000 grand prize presented by Dime Community Bank.
“It is our pleasure and, more importantly, our honor to be the lead sponsor of PowerUP! for the eighth year. We believe that this program unleashes the next generation of business leaders in Brooklyn,” said Stuart H. Lubow, president and CEO of Dime.
May King Innovations was awarded the $10,000 prize for its language interpretation cards that help non-English speaking patients communicate in hospitals. Bushwick-based queer bookstore Hive Mind Books was awarded $5,000. Hive Mind Books sells both new and used books for all ages and across all genres along with a selection of pastries, coffee and tea. The bookstore is the first to focus exclusively on LGBTQ+ authors according to Patch.
The PowerUp! program also includes five merit awardees who each receive $1,000 of seed money for their businesses. The five merit award winners were Outside with Recess Village, U&O, Home Harvest, Stepping Stones Studio and Sublime Psych. Steeven Nelson of Outside with Recess Village won the audience favorite award and an additional $1,000 for the nonprofit that creates inclusive outdoor experiences for Black, Brown and other underserved individuals of all ages.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
