On November 2, 2006 the Business Outreach Center (BOC) Network held its 10th Anniversary Gala at Capitale, commemorating the successes of the thousands of microentrepreneurs it has helped and honoring key partners and supporters.   More than 200 BOC friends, supporters and partners attended including representatives of banks, law firms, community partners, a host of government and not-for-profit agencies working with small businesses as well as numerous client entrepreneurs.  All net proceeds will be used to support BOC Network’s unique programs which provide microenterprise development and capital access to underserved entrepreneurs and increase the capacity of organizations providing community and small business development programs.

BOC Network honored Nicolas Potter, Esq, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, recognizing the law firm’s commitment to providing pro-bono legal services to microentrepreneurs.  Mr. Potter reported that over 10% of the corporate attorneys at his firm are involved in providing pro-bono services.  In presenting this award, NYS Assemblymember Mark Weprin, Chair of the Committee on Small Business, commended Debevoise and Mr. Potter for their significant contribution of legal services to the many immigrant and low-income entrepreneurs that comprise the BOC Network client base. 

Assemblymember Weprin commented that “Microbusinesses made up of 5 or fewer employees sprout up every day.” He went on to report that BOC, with NYS support, recently opened a new center in Corona Queens, “where people speak hundreds of different languages within a couple of blocks radius,” and noted that, “So many people there who want to start businesses are ready to take off, are ready to drive our economy and start bringing in tax dollars and jobs. The BOC Network provides not only guidance but walks these businesses through all of the steps they need in order to become successful.”

William Manger, Jr., Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, was honored for the SBA’s invaluable partnership and support in serving the small business community.  Client/business owner Beebe Okoye joined BOC to present this award, being herself the beneficiary of two SBA loan products which enabled her to launch and expand her business. Ms. Okoye spoke of her two Manhattan Kiva Cafes, built over the past five years, with BOC’s guidance and help securing loan assistance. In his remarks, Mr. Manger recognized the importance of small enterprise to the economic health of local communities, stating “a full 70% of the jobs being created today in the United States are being created by small businesses,” and stressing that, “there’s really nothing small about small business.”

Assemblymember Vito J. Lopez was honored for his commitment to improving the economic prospects of diverse immigrant and minority community residents and promoting community development efforts, and particularly for his work on behalf of the BOC Network Child Care Business Development Project.  Cruz C. Russell, Director of Policy and Planning, Port Authority of NY/NJ, and BOC board member, presented the award, reflecting on Assemblymember Lopez’ significant track record and the history and growth of the BOC Network.

WAMU Vice President, Michael V. Fina, was honored for his dedication and partnership in providing much needed business development resources to local entrepreneurs. Mr. Fina affirmed that by working together with BOC “…we have been able to help turn our clients’ dreams into reality.” Nancy Carin, BOC Executive Director pointed out that “These successes could not have occurred without an engaged public/private partnership.”

In neighborhoods in all 5 boroughs of New York City and Newark, NJ, BOC Network, together with its community-based partners, has helped entrepreneurs and small businesses secure technical and financial assistance in starting and growing their businesses.  At the gala event, Executive Director, Nancy Carin, reported that

BOC has facilitated over $35 million dollars for small businesses over the past 10 years, and announced a new goal--to help small businesses access an additional $25 million dollars over the next 5 years.  She introduced participating BOC member organizations; Chinatown Manpower Project, Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush, Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation, Washington Heights Inwood Development Corporation, West Brighton Community Local Development Corporation and the Greater Newark Business Development Consortium, thanking them for their commitment and collaboration.    

BOC Network’s 10th Anniversary comes at a time when the importance of microlending is being recognized on both the international and local levels.  The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize will be presented to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, whose inspired idea of granting loans to individuals who would otherwise not qualify for financial support of their entrepreneurial aspirations has been successfully replicated in various forms by a multitude of groups and organizations around the world in their own communities, creating a new and vital tool for building hopeful futures. BOC is one such group providing needed capital to community based microentrepreneurs.

Many of those who were honored at the Gala spoke of the value of BOC’s collaborative approach and the effectiveness of BOC’s partnerships.  Allen Gomez, the event chair representing WAMU, expressed support of the cooperative, community-focused BOC small business development model.

The event’s most moving moments came when entrepreneurs helped by BOC spoke of their experiences, their obvious pride in their achievements, and their heartfelt gratitude for the help they have received.  Entrepreneur Cake-Man Raven, who moved his business from Harlem to Brooklyn, spoke of BOC’s importance to him and other small businesses in the area, and described BOC’s work as being “all about supporting our vision as entrepreneurs.” 

The Celebrating Entrepreneurship Gala Event Benefactor was WAMU.  Leading partners included benefit committee members Kenneth Adams (Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce), Mark Castle (The Bank of NY), William Driscoll (The Parkside Group), Michael Flanigan (Citibank, NA), Stuart Leffler (Con Edison), Laren Spirer (Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP), William Rapfogel (Met Council on Jewish Poverty), Cruz C. Russell (Port Authority of NY & NJ), David Sweeny (PDS Development), Walter Sweet (Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors), Rabbi Yehezkel Pikus (Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush), Mark Quinn (Greater Newark Business Development Consortium), and Leslie Winter (BOC Board Chair).  Major supporters also included HSBC Bank USA, JP Morgan Chase and Met Life.

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