The latest cohort of the Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at New Jersey Institute of Technology has supported the launch of 22 new ventures, with more to come after a spring semester that attracted 81 participants. — Photos by Gellman Images
By Joshua Burd
The Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a fast-growing program at New Jersey Institute of Technology, has completed its latest cohort with more than 80 participants and a curriculum that is helping to sow nearly two dozen minority-led businesses.
The center recently concluded its spring semester at the school’s Newark campus, following a nine-week workshop that covered everything from naming and registering a business to market research and analyzing financial statements. That has supported the launch of 22 new ventures, seven of which are already operational, providing a blend of academic instruction, hands-on advice and experience from successful entrepreneurs, government officials and other guest speakers.
Paul V. Profeta, the publisher of Real Estate NJ, is the force behind the program as both an instructor and as its benefactor, having made the single-largest donation in NJIT’s history to launch the entrepreneurship center in 2021 and the new Profeta Real Estate Technology, Design and Innovation Center.
“Working at the Profeta Minority Center at NJIT has been one of the most rewarding efforts of my life,” said Profeta, the owner of Roseland-based Paul V. Profeta & Associates LLC, a real estate development and investment firm that began in 1976. “Bringing graduate-level education to the underserved community of Newark and helping them learn how to launch their own business has created over 50 businesses and over 1,000 jobs in Newark in the years that I have been focused on this campaign.
“Making profitable real estate deals is wonderful for your checking account. Helping other people achieve their personal goals is a wonderful balm for your soul.”
Held at NJIT’s Profeta Center, at 211 Warren St., the workshop had a slate of instructors that included Real Estate NJ’s Karen Pisciotta. The cohort attracted 81 participants, showing continued growth from past semesters, with a graduation ceremony that took place May 14 and the following businesses set to launch:
Natasha Ampomah
- ENKAY (luxury fashion company)
Maria Bech
- Insurance and financial services business
Abigail Bernardino
- Tacos Basilio ( restaurant)
Sade Cox
- The Lydia Society (employment training / placement agency)
Angel Davis
- Zestfully Upkept (cleaning service franchise)
Valerie Good
- First Impressions (etiquette program for students)
Kenya Harris
- Grateful Heart (affordable housing for veterans)
Jamila Harvey
- HALO Premium Organic Haircare (hair care products)
Jayden Hernandez
- Colón Trading Company (high-end coffee from indigenous growers)
Kakila Hunter
- Covered Collections (jewelry, clothing, a book on overcoming trauma)
Olivia Jacobs
- Sandford Arms (property renovations)
Alani Jones
- Flower shop
Trina Lowther
- Satin Home Collections (upholstered furniture)
Sibusisiwe Malaba
- The Malaba Group (nonprofit consulting)
Jenette Mark
- Independent hair stylist
Chanel Mays
- Thrive Tri2be (try-2-be/ tribe) (support programs for women)
Felicia McQueen-Brown
- Friendship therapy
Jean Paul
- Tether (software that provides counseling for couples)
Kimberly Phelps
- Scent Songs (faith-inspired perfumes)
Cynthia Rae
- Pink Blazer Consulting LLC (human resource consulting)
Drena Smith
- Purpose Supply Innovations (inventor; has a provisional patent; needs to monetize it)
Natalia Solano
- Tax Pros (accounting business; expanding into insurance)
“The Profeta Entrepreneurship Workshop challenged me to think beyond my passion and truly build a business,” said Rae, founder of Pink Blazer Consulting. “It pushed me to examine everything from financial projections and marketing strategy to target markets and long-term growth. Most importantly, it helped me gain confidence in the value of what Pink Blazer brings to the marketplace — helping organizations strengthen leadership, communication and workplace culture while preparing the next generation of talent to thrive. The program gave me the structure, accountability and perspective to move forward with greater clarity and conviction.”
Hernandez, co-founder of Colón Trading Company, added: “The Profeta Entrepreneurship Cohort 2025-2026 allowed my team and I to explore deeper insights as a business startup with an excellent team of professional business leaders, which unlocked new levels of achievement through creative development, crafting a meaningful brand identity and actualizing our future goals of producing digital content surrounding cultural storytelling and our shared American heritage to develop a simple and creative industry solution with artistic value.”
The guest speakers who joined the workshop during the spring 2026 cohort include:
- Week 1: Past participants who gave testimonials about their experience taking the class — Quadeer Porter, founder of Brothers Building a Better Nation; Dre Harvey, founder of Dre’s Beauty Supply; Edison Chinnery, co-founder of NJ Property Scanners; Jayden Hernandez, co-founder of Colón Trading Company
- Week 2: A panel of entrepreneurs who fielded questions about what it’s like and what it takes to be an entrepreneur — Malik Carey, founder of Family Healing Center; Sequoya Carter, founder of Redwood Dog Grooming; and Libre Ojeda, founder of Beloved Upcycle
- Week 3: Lyndsay Kilpatrick, deputy district director, Small Business Administration, who spoke about services and resources offered by the SBA
- Week 4: Andrea Cozier Mclean, Urban Enterprise Zone coordinator, Newark Urban Enterprise Zone
- Week 5: Michelle Osorio, senior small business liaison, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, who spoke about services and resources offered by the NJEDA
- Week 6: Steve Gomez, vice president of community development, Citizens Bank, who talked about the importance of entrepreneurs in the local economy
- Week 7: Victor Salama, executive director, Greater Newark Enterprises Corp., who spoke about services and funding available through GNEC
- Week 8: Jinni Rock-Bailey, founder, Rock-Bailey Enterprises, who discussed state certification for small, minority-, woman- and veteran-owned businesses as well as important considerations before you hire your first employee
- Week 9: John Harmon, founder and CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
“For the past 10 years, Paul Profeta and the Profeta Urban Investment Foundation have been steadfast partners in the mission of Family Healing Center,” said Carey, the organization’s CEO. “Through generous funding, strategic guidance and unwavering encouragement, they have stood beside us every step of the way.
“Their investment has gone far beyond financial support; they have helped strengthen our vision, expand our impact and build a foundation for lasting change in the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for their belief in our work and their commitment to helping individuals and families heal, grow and thrive.”
