Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. Philanthropy Thursday!
Happy Philanthropy Friday, Black History Month and Super Bowl LVII weekend to our Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. Community!
Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.’s CEO Kecia Palmer-Cousins, COO Kevin Cousins and the Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. team hope
that everyone is well and safe as we all continue to celebrate Black History Month!

Black history is our past, present and future! 
Today’s black youth are “game-changers”! The Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. team believes in our youth and support many in their educational and civic engagement endeavors. We support those who mentor our youth each and everyday. We walk on the shoulders of our ancestors and do our best to pay it forward, mentoring, motivating, educating and following in the footsteps of past Black leaders like Mary McLeod Bethune.
Congratulations to the staff of the Mercy College Science Technology and Entry Program (STEP), NAACP ACT-SO Regional Team and Alumni for a very successful STEM Youth Conference two weeks ago at Mercy College. Panelists included Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc’s Kecia who led a 2-hour Parents Workshop (Advocating for Our Minority Children – Parent Checklist for Parents of High Schoolers).

Keynote speakers County Executive George Latimer and NYS Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins congratulated and encouraged the middle and high schoolers on their commitment to doing their best and doing well in school as they prepare to apply to colleges and pursue STEM Career in the future. Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins visited the students while they attend 1 hour workshops learned about Entrepreneurship, engaged in Mad Science, etc, led by various facilitators.
Congratulations to Martin McDonald, Founder & CEO of The Black Diamonds Academic Success, Inc. and The Black Diamonds, for hosting a very successful, well-attended inspirational, uplifting “Black Resistance” event at Peekskill HS.

The handsome and brilliant young men of The Black Diamonds and the beautiful, empowering young ladies of the GEMS recited personal essays and poems motivating the dozens of attendees.  Keynote Speakers Dr. Alexandria Connolly and Brother Arthur Muhammed were dynamic and enlightened all those in attendance. They provided historical and inspirational whose presentations engaged the audience with thought provoking conversation, videos and reflection.
Black Diamonds President Zack Allen proudly paid tribute to his relative W. Haywood Burns, a former resident of Peekskill, NY, who was a beacon of light to those who believe the battle for human rights and justice can be won through activism, humility, and dedication. Thanks, Zack for introducing so many of us to this great humanitarian during Black History month!
(1940 - 1996)

After graduating with honors from Harvard College and receiving a law degree from Yale University, Burns served as the first law clerk for District Court Judge Constance Baker Motley. In 1968, he served as general counsel to Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign. He was one of the founders of the National Conference of Black Lawyers. He worked on the defense of the Attica prisoners and many other people struggling for self-determination. Burns was also the founding dean of the City College Urban Legal Studies Program, serving from 1977-1987.
Burns went on to serve as dean of the Law School at the City University of New York (CUNY). He was a visiting scholar at Yale Law School and returned to New York to establish a Harlem-based law firm. Talent, passion and zest for life were his signatures. He was tragically killed in an automobile accident while attending the International Association of Democratic Lawyers conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Burns’ family endorses the use of his name for the work of the BI, which was created in 2001 by James Bell. There is no more fitting a person in whose memory the BI works on behalf of youth of color, their families and communities.
Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs will play in the first Super Bowl with both teams starting a Black quarterback. Patrick Smith; Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Becky Sullivan

And speaking to media this week, both acknowledged the long history of Black quarterbacks who fought to pave the way for their opportunity this weekend.
"I think about all the rich history in this game, and to be part of such an historic event, historic moment, it's special," said Hurts on Monday.

"It's historic," said Mahomes. "So many people laid the foundation before us, and to be playing with a guy like Jalen, who I know is doing it the right way, it's going to be a special moment that I hope lives on forever."

Mary Omatiga

For the first time in NFL history the Super Bowl will have two starting Black quarterbacks and it’s Black Heritage Month…yes, you read that right! On Sunday, February 12 as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take on Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles on football’s largest stage, history will be made.

While we’re used to seeing Black athletes like Mahomes, Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyler Murray, Malik Willis, Trey Lance and the many others that came before them, thrive in a now more diverse and inclusive NFL, it wasn’t that long ago that Black men were robbed of the opportunity to play quarterback. The quarterback position is one of the most celebrated in football and when their feet hit that field, they’re lining up to not only take the snap but to lead their team and often to become the face of the of the franchise. Ahead of the Mahomes-Hurts matchup, we take a look at the history of Black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl, the barriers Black athletes have faced to reach the highest levels of the sport and the push for continued forward progress.

Kecia and Kevin have fond memories of being at the 2014 Super Bowl at Met Life Stadium. They along with other member of the G&K Sweet Foods, LLC team served hundreds of mini-sweet potato pies at the VIP party before The BIG GAME.  G&K Sweet Foods, LLC is co-owned by CEO Gay Wheeler-Smith and COO Kecia Palmer-Cousins. The G&K team that day consisted of Gay, Kecia, Kevin, Joh’vonni Smith (Gay’s daughter and Kecia and Kevin’s goddaughter) and Thalia Lindquist (Kecia’s brother Leroy’s girlfriend). G&K Sweet Foods, LLC was one of 35 Caterers at the VIP party at Met Life Stadium where the Seattle Seahawks won 43-8 over the Denver Broncos. Half-time show featured Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Check out MWBE Monday for highlights from that special day. It was truly a memorable event. Peekskill Mayor Cyndi McKenzie , owner of Kathleen’s Tea Room, was also a featured Caterer.
She and her team served hundreds of blueberry pies at the VIP Party.
May the best team win on Sunday! 
PHILANTHROPY AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Many minority and women business enterprise entrepreneurs use their local, County and State Agencies to stay current and tap into potential resources and procurement opportunities for their businesses and their communities. Getting MWBE Certified
and procuring government contracts can help MWBEs build their businesses! Grants, loans, networking, attending training classes, workshops and joining chambers of commerce and professional organizations are also parts of MWBEs portfolios to
grow their businesses. We encourage MWBEs to become civically and politically engaged in their communities and the communities that they serve!
FEEDING WESTCHESTER – AN EVENING IN GOOD TASTE
April 20, 2023 – Savor at the Westchester
JACK and JILL OF AMERICA, INC. MID-HUDSON VALLEY CHAPTER’s (MHVC) FATHERS AUXILIARY –
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING 
From February 1st through 28th, the MHVC Fathers Auxiliary is doing its part to tackle hunger and food insecurity in the Hudson Valley by participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring! For over 30 years, the Souper Bowl of Caring movement has been inspiring people across the nation to tackle hunger in their local communities. Help MHVC increase our chapter’s philanthropic impact in our catchment area by supporting our Dads in this food and essential items drive.
Participating is easy! Click this link, find the item or items you would like to purchase, check out, and that’s it! Donations will be delivered directly to our two charity recipients: Fred’s Food Pantry and Dutchess Outreach, both serving Hudson Valley families for many years.
Let’s support this important drive to tackle hunger and food insecurity in our community.
On behalf of Fathers Auxiliary Chair Courtney Smith, the entire Fathers Auxiliary and MHVC President Dawanna Veneable thank you all in advance for contributing.

Past MHVC Fathers Auxiliary Chairs Ray Veneable and Kevin Cousins (Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.’s COO) also encourage everyone to support the Souper Bowl of Caring!

THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON RECREATION DEPARTMENT PRESENTS BLACK HISTORY EXCELLENCE PANEL – FEBRUARY 13, 2023
Join us for our Black History Excellence Panel on Monday, February 13th, at Grace Baptist Church located at 52 S. 6th Ave, Mount Vernon, NY.

The panelists will be Criminal Justice Reform Activist Mysonne Linen, Civil Rights Attorney William Wagstaff III, and Dr. Yusef Salaam of The Exonerated 5. Author Priscilla Echi will moderate the event. We hope to see you there!
NEW YORK WOMENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – Port Authority of NY & NJ Workshop – AIRPORT CONCESSION DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

Join our partners at the Port Authority of NY NJ for an in-person and virtual workshop to get Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certified!
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ("Port Authority") has a long-standing policy of making its business opportunities available to as many firms as possible and has implemented initiatives to encourage firms owned by minorities, women and service-disabled veterans to seek business opportunities with the Port Authority.
Their international airports offer retail opportunities to certified ACDBEs.
WESTCHESTER BLACK WOMENS POLITICAL CAUCUS FEBRUARY 19, 2023 BREAKFAST – ALBANY, NY

Our theme is "Celebrating the Voices of Black Women". Our theme colors are black and gold this year. The Albany Breakfast is on February 19, 2023 at 7 AM in the lower level of the Albany Hilton Hotel.
Have a safe and great weekend! Stay connected with us so you stay connected! Follow us on our social media!
We thank each and everyone of you for your continued support and business!

Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc! We help MWBEs focus on the health and wellness of their business! Let’s get it done, in 2023!We are here for you! Just give us a call at 914-737-7237 or schedule a consultation with us at www.aerobasoul.com. You’ll be glad that you did! Special shout out to our parents, family and friends for your continued love and support to us!

Please, please don’t forget to pay it forward and give back to your community today and everyday! 

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH THIS WEEKEND AND EVERY DAY! ENJOY THE SUPER BOWL!

STAY TRUE TO YOUR ROOTS!
Sincerely, Love,
Kecia and Kevin
Contact Kecia at (914) 737-7237 with questions about starting
or growing your business!

You can also visit our website at www.aerobasoul.com or email Kecia at kecia@aerobasoul.com.

At Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. we build dreams to life with heart and a soul! Like a trusted friend and confidante, our personal project managers tap into their vivid imaginations, hearts and souls to analyze clients projects and engineer solutions through project completion. 

We are “imagineers”, igniting M/WBEs to refocus on themselves, their businesses and giving back to their communities. Our one-on-one technical assistance sessions and training programs are designed to help entrepreneurs and MWBE’s project manage their lives and get to the heart and soul of their personal and professional development. 

We “motivate” and “collaborate” with our clients through project completion! 

Our services include:
  • Business Management Consulting Services
  • Life Coaching
  • MWBE Consulting/Prepare NYC/NYS MWBE Certification Applications
  • Public Speaking
  • Project Management
  • Training
  • Career Preparation
  • Customer Service
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership
  • Networking
Kecia Palmer-Cousins, MBA

Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.

Office: 914.737.7237
Cell: 914.512.4373

Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.