On November 13, 2009 the Business Outreach Center (BOC) Network held the BOC Awards 2009 to celebrate the successes of women, immigrant and minority entrepreneurs and small businesses from NYC’s diverse communities.  Even during the recession, small businesses are starting and growing.  BOC has enabled thousands of individuals to improve their economic prospects, helping them to gain needed financing, expert guidance and connections to build local small businesses.

We at BOC Network would like to thank everyone who attended the BOC Awards 2009 and helped us make the event an enormous success.

To view a gallery of event photos Click Here

To view our event e-journal Click Here

The event was held at the Battery Gardens Restaurant where appropriately the backdrop to the ceremony, as seen through the windows of the event space, was Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, symbols of opportunity and prosperity, which was a powerful reminder to guests of that which they were celebrating.   Over 150 BOC Network supporters including local government representatives, community partners and BOC clients attended the event. New York State Assemblymember, Mark Weprin, Chair Small Business Committee, presented the BOC Award to Pamela Yuen of USA Beauty School International, the Internet Networking Group, and JoAnn Regan of the West Brighton Local Development LDC, a partner BOC, in recognition of her Collaborative Leadership.   Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries and Assemblymember Jose Peralta, representing Brooklyn and Queens, also participated in the celebration honoring local small business entrepreneurs for their success. 

The event additionally featured best-selling author, Geshe Michael Roach, whose own personal story of success serves as an inspiration to those seeking true happiness in business and life.  Geshe Michael Roach’s book, The Diamond Cutter, continues to empower readers with strategies for success in their work and personal lives through the application of Buddhist philosophy to business principles.   

“Without us, fewer new businesses would start and even fewer would be successful,” stated Leslie Winter, Board Chair of Business Outreach Center Network, Inc.  There was attendance of numerous small entrepreneurs, as well representatives of government, business, and non-profit entities, to recognize the accomplishments of BOC Network and its collaborative partnership network; Chinatown Manpower Project, Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush, Washington Heights Inwood Development Corporation , and the West Brighton Community LDC.  

The Business Outreach Center Network thanks its many supporters, including this year’s event sponsors: Capital One, Aetna, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Parkside Group, Prudential Financial Inc., and N.Cheng & Co.