The world has more galas than golf courses, more than there are nonprofit groups (and there are a lot). Yes, the world could use more love, kindness, compassion and good deeds, but did it really need another gala?

Richalin Rodney, founder of Queens-based R. Rodney Consulting Agency, found a niche where the answer was “Yes.” And for a good reason.

Reasoning that galas can provide attention, recognition and networking, Rodney founded the Black Business Gala three years ago as “an awards ceremony to celebrate and commemorate Black entrepreneurship in the tri-state area.”

Black Busness Gala Founder Richalin Rodney. Photo courtesy of Richalin Rodney

She will host the third Black Business Gala — for the first time in Queens — on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight, with a cocktail hour from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Terrace on the Park.

She anticipates around 175 attendees at the event in a ballroom with an open bar, catered dinner, awards and live music.

“You get an opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs being honored and other entrepreneurs there,” Rodney said. “Black business galas may honor bigger entrepreneurs. A lot of them don’t focus on smaller companies or local entrepreneurs that I focus on.”

She said various people submit nominations and she selects the winners, which include five this year.

“A lot of entrepreneurs seem to have started in Queens,” Rodney said. “It’s somewhere we wanted to feature this year.”

The envelope, please

Rodney added that they are recognizing seven honorees selected “because there is a specific story and body of work.”
Photo courtesy of Richalin Rodney

This year’s winners include Janet Brown, an attorney, educator and community advocate based in Jamaica. She specializes in family law, matrimonial law, guardianship, legal education and community advocacy.

Dr. Odetta Keane, a mental health professional, therapist and educator in Brooklyn, is founder and clinical director of Stay Keane and vice president of mental health at Children of Promise.

“I’m a girl who grew up in Bed-Stuy,” Keane said, “and decided to tell the world to stop telling me who I am.”

Miguerlande “Mimi” Cayo Maitre is the owner and founder of the Nubian Hair Salon and Spa in Elmont. She specializes in cosmetology for hair and natural hair care.

Ben Johnson, owner of Harlem-based Johnson Consulting Partners, is also known for the Ben’s Crab brand. He founded Healthy Home Diagnostics LLC and the youth mentorship program FATTS.

“He’s a serial entrepreneur,” Rodney said. “And he does mentorship for youth.”

Wendy Straker, a floral designer in Brooklyn who literally makes the world a more beautiful place, founded My Lovely Stems and Bloom Room Easton.

“She also is a serial entrepreneur,” Rodney said. “She has an event space in Philadelphia as well. She does a lot of community events and teaches the community how to do floral design.”

Nitiya Walker is the founder of Seeds of Fortune, empowering students through college access, scholarships, financial literacy and career development.

Syntyche “Syn” Clarke is the COO of Irie Jam Radio, as well as a broadcaster, wardrobe consultant and community leader championing Caribbean culture, youth empowerment and community development.

Entrepreneurial evening

Rodney said the goal is “bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, community advocates and other stakeholders for an evening celebrating Black business achievement,” as well as networking.

“I created the Black Business Gala to provide greater recognition and visibility to Black entrepreneurs,” Rodney said, believing it can also create “opportunities for business owners to build meaningful relationships with other entrepreneurs, organizations, community leaders and professionals.”

Through her consulting agency, Rodney works with minority- and women-owned businesses on M/WBE certification, access to capital, government-contracting readiness, business development and sustainable growth.

“The Gala has become an extension of that work, by creating a platform to recognize entrepreneurs who are building businesses, creating jobs and contributing to New York City’s communities,” she said.

Rodney said she also created the Black Business Gala “to celebrate Black entrepreneurship while providing a space where business owners, professionals, community leaders and supporters can build meaningful relationships.”

She said relationships are important and this event brings people together in one room who can benefit each other, including by providing business.

“I look at what they do with the community, their message of business owners, everything they do,” Rodney said of winners.

Business bio

Rodney grew up in South Ozone Park, part of a thriving Caribbean community.

“My parents are Jamaican,” she said. “I’m of Jamaican descent. They came to America in the 70s. They’ve been here ever since.”

Her father, a professor of technology at the City College of New York, and City Tech’s network administrator, passed away about a year ago. Her mother was a registered nurse in hospitals and then a school nurse

Rodney worked at the Queens Public Library, then in the automotive industry, as business director for a dealership with brands including Audi, Jaguar Land Rover, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

She then launched her own business and now has one foot in consulting and one in transportation. In addition to her consulting agency, she co-founded Queens-based Run Road Trucking, giving her experience as an entrepreneur.

“Entrepreneurs need more than motivation,” Rodney said. “They need access, strong relationships, information and opportunities.”

She works to strengthen clients’ business infrastructure, pursue certifications, prepare for funding and contracts and grow. “The Gala gives us another way to support entrepreneurship,” Rodney said.

Previous winners include Erica Ford, who runs Life Camp, a gun violence awareness nonprofit started after her son’s death over a decade ago in Jamaica, Queens, as well as Rockville Centre-based New Hope Mental Health.

Erica Ford. Photo courtesy of Richalin Rodney

“It’s a great event, a great time to network. It really is an opportunity to meet with like- minded individuals,” she said. “It’s open to anyone. Anyone can come.”