The Thinkubator, a Bronx-based innovation and workforce development nonprofit, announced the public launch of its “Women’s Empowerment Program” on Monday, May 9. Launched in Fall 2021 at The Thinkubator’s Poughkeepsie satellite office, the nonprofit provides spaces, forums, and opportunities for women to gather, support each other, work on their potential business ideas, and figure out ways to best support their youth as they navigate life.

According to the event organizers, the official launch event will highlight women and youth who are making a difference in their community, raffles will be held with local vendors, and The Thinkubator’s youth interns will also be highlighted. The nonprofit, its café and training center, and its nutrition and training center are inviting women and girls to join them on May 14 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to hear and learn from powerful women and youth who they said are leading the way for women in the 21st century. They said these women are not only talking the talk but are walking the walk!

“Women play critical roles in the household and workplace,” event organizers said. “They are often the main caregivers, the breadwinners, and the educators for the youth we serve. The Thinkubator recognizes the significance women play in ensuring that our youth are successful in their internships, completing school, and furthering their studies.”

According to the event organizers, women, adult and youth entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the local community and have found ways to economically empower themselves and families will be showcased during the event.

Desiree Herrington is executive director of The Thinkubator and said, “This event was inspired by the adversities and obstacles that have taken place in my life. As a youth, my parents pushed me to pursue my dreams despite a number of tragic events that occurred during my teenage years.” She added, “I’ve worked tremendously hard to become an independent, entrepreneurial woman.”

Today, Desiree said she has opened two businesses in El Paso, Texas, and oversees The Thinkubator’s strategic direction and operations. She is a wife, mother, business owner, and nonprofit executive, and works daily with youth from The Thinkubator’s internship program teaching them about entrepreneurship and the meaning of innovation and creative thinking.

Entrepreneurs and financial coaches, Nyesha Davis and Samantha Williams, will also be featured at the event. Their message to all attendees and women both young and older is, “Don’t believe in a timeline. You are not behind, and you are not too late. Everything you want is within your reach. Once you claim it, it is en route just for you.” They added, “Women’s voices will be heard on this day.  It is time, time for us to give back to our communities, to women and to the world.”

For her part, Desiree Lee-Summers, chair of The Thinkubator’s board of directors said, “It is our duty, obligation, and privilege to share the courage of our panelists with our community and particularly our youth. Empowering the youth voice is a vital part of The Thinkubator’s mission. This event will amplify our youth, women, and our community.”

The Thinkubator will showcase women entrepreneurs that are creating pathways for other women at The Thinkubator Café, located at 128 Alexander Avenue in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx, on May 14 at 3 p.m.

The Thinkubator is a Bronx-based innovation and workforce development nonprofit organization. Its founder said it crafts innovative strategies to complex local challenges that have global implications. According to its founder, the nonprofit approaches its work through a racial and economic equity lens in three major areas: education, research, and community, as follows:

• The Thinkubator Education provides education, career, and work-based learning opportunities for young adults. It seeks to prepare diverse, low-income youth from The Bronx and similar communities to succeed in the workplace and the world.
• The Thinkubator Research conducts research, analysis and creates policy solutions to complex challenges. It leverages its data collection and strong analytical skill set to provide strategic consultancy to education, nonprofit, public, and private sectors.
• The Thinkubator Community concentrates on the intersection of issues that inhibit communal growth, development, and productivity and tackles them head on with the communities it serves.

Collectively, the nonprofit provides a systematic approach to workforce, economic and community development, educational attainment, and combating poverty.

Its vision states that The Thinkubator aspires to a world where young people from The Bronx and similar communities are trained, educated, and powered to bring their voice to business, organizational, societal, and world challenges.

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