Profeta Center graduates second class of minority entrepreneurs

Paul Profeta, publisher of Real Estate NJ and founding donor of the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, met with students on May 29 as the program graduated its second class of minority entrepreneurs. — All photos by Aaron Houston for Real Estate NJ

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(Editor’s note: Paul V. Profeta, the founding donor of The Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is the publisher of Real Estate NJ)By Real Estate NJ

The Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at New Jersey Institute of Technology has graduated its second class of minority entrepreneurs, paving the way for the launch of more than two dozen businesses led by Newark-area residents.

The program on May 29 welcomed the latest cohort, which included about 50 underserved enterprise aspirants who attended every class, to mark the completion of the spring semester. Several of the students got up in front of the class and presented the results of the businesses they had launched during the course, which took place at the Profeta Center at 211 Warren St.

“The Profeta Center is extremely proud of the results of this program,” said Paul V. Profeta, a Roseland-based real estate developer and investor, who launched the center recently after making the single-largest donation in NJIT’s history. “Many of the underserved members of Newark’s community are getting an opportunity to gain top level knowledge of how to launch and operate a business and the results are apparent in the number of businesses that are being created.”

The work of the Profeta Center began in earnest last fall with the inception of its Free Entrepreneurial Workshop that was held Saturday mornings from September through November, providing a blend of academic business education combined with real-world suggestions taught by Profeta and hands-on advice and experience from successful minority entrepreneurs, with a slate of instructors that included Real Estate NJ’s Karen Pisciotta. Ultimately, 45 minority residents completed the program as part of its first cohort.

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During the spring semester, 11 businesses were created by the following aspiring entrepreneurs:

Al-Tariq Witcher

• Around the Clock Property Management (residential property management)

Ameen Albany

• Hollywood Juice Shop (juices and smoothies)

Amir Albany

• Vegascalledmir (sports betting method)

Cheryl Hubbard

• Blue Roses Health Snack Collection (healthy snacks)

Dan Murphy

• Murphy Landscape (landscaping and tree service)

Edison Chinnery and Joseph Chinnery

• NJ Property Scanners (laser scanning of existing buildings)

Hellura Lyle

• Lyle Enterprises (tours and other activities)

Louise Rountree

• Academy of Unlimited Possibilities (etiquette skills for adolescents)

Rey Chavis

• Clodiqu (fitness supplements)

Rikki Orange

• AlgloVera (aloe vera-based skincare products)

Shakiyla Jones

• Benevolent Services (transportation for children)

In addition to these successful launches listed above, there are another 17 businesses in the serious planning stage that should be launched shortly.

Alaysia Cleveland

• Black Opal Productions (event space/maker space)

Cheryl Lawrence

• Healthy Healing by Design (wellness centers)

Christine Fisher

• Jar-Eco (wholesale sustainable packaging)

Jason Ovalle

• Keegos

Keisha King

• EaZy Wash (laundromat)

Kevin Forrester

• Vital Foods & Beverages (plant-based foods)

Lisa Howard

• Write on Time (nonprofit) (resume writing for re-entry folks and their families)

Nya’Jia Lewis

• Blu Dot & Co. (websites and social media marketing)

Ogedi Asimama-Duruaku

• Medical devices

Oleg Sinkin

• Wine Saver (device to prevent wine from oxidizing)

Raheem Montgomery

• Why Not Affordable Rentals

Roberto Sanchez

• NJ CDL Driving School (commercial driver’s license school)

Roscio Vega

• Casual clothing store

Shawn Williams

• Trusted Travel Tours (historical and entertaining tours)

Sib Byers

• Real estate

Stacey Ann Wakefield

• Miss Stacey’s House (in-home childcare)

Valentino Lerum

• Tire recycling

Profeta said he was extremely proud of the second-semester group, adding: “Successfully launching your own business is a surefire way to obtain financial independence and abundant self-respect.”

Profeta is a real estate investor and developer with commercial properties all over the country, with decades of experience in business, education and philanthropy that has focused on revitalizing Newark. His donation to NJIT, which was announced in spring 2021, also led to the launch of the Profeta Real Estate Technology, Design and Innovation Center.