Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens (NHSQ) celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of its “Icing on the Cake” Baking and Entrepreneurship Program, recognizing 18 aspiring entrepreneurs who successfully completed the eight-week training program designed to transform a passion for baking into a pathway to economic opportunity.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens (NHSQ) celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of its “Icing on the Cake” Baking and Entrepreneurship Program, recognizing 18 aspiring entrepreneurs who successfully completed the eight-week training program designed to transform a passion for baking into a pathway to economic opportunity.
Held at NHSQ’s community headquarters, La Casita, the graduation ceremony was filled with pride, inspiration, and celebration as graduates showcased beautifully decorated cakes while sharing their entrepreneurial journeys with family, friends, community partners, and elected officials.
Originally launched to create new economic opportunities for local residents, Icing on the Cake has quickly become one of NHSQ’s signature workforce and entrepreneurship initiatives, equipping participants with both technical baking skills and the business knowledge needed to launch and grow successful ventures.
“What began as a passion for baking has blossomed into something much greater— confidence, courage, and the first steps toward new dreams,” said Yoselin Genao-Estrella, Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens. “At NHSQ, we believe entrepreneurship is a powerful pathway to economic mobility. This program demonstrates how investing in people’s talents can transform lives, strengthen families, and create more resilient communities.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng with Yoselin Genao-Estrella, Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services of Queen as graduates showcased beautifully decorated cakes.
Throughout the program, participants mastered cake-decorating techniques while also learning essential entrepreneurial skills, including food safety, pricing strategies, branding, marketing, customer service, financial planning, and business development.
Special guest Congresswoman Grace Meng congratulated the graduates and praised the program’s impact on the community. “I’m very proud of all of you,” Meng said. “This is an extraordinary idea. It’s not always the biggest projects that transform communities, but the everyday opportunities that empower people to become independent, pursue what they love, and support their families.” She also encouraged community members to support local small businesses and the newest entrepreneurs emerging from the program.