Happy Philanthropy Friday and Women’s History Month 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, safe and celebrating Women’s History Month.
As Women’s History Month comes to an end, we pay tribute to so many women trailblazers and women who dare to be different!
 
Last year, CEO Kecia Palmer-Cousins was honored with The Vera H. Baker Entrepreneur of Excellence Award by Westchester County, “boots on the ground” entrepreneur Colby Jenkins, owner of NYC MWBE Certified Gemstarr Entertainment, LLC and her hardworking “Women Who Dare To Be Different” Committee Members.
 
This past weekend Kecia MC’d the 9th Annual “Women Who Dare To Be Different” Awards Dinner. Special thanks to dedicated News 12 Reporter Carol Wilkinson for covering this spectacular event! 

Click here to watch highlights of “Women Who Dare To Be Different" Event!
Extraordinary women trailblazers included Westchester’s first Black female Democratic Election Commissioner Tajian Nelson.
Natalie “Lil Nat” Barrington, former host of Hot 97 and 98.7 Kiss FM overnights and host of the primetime radio show Digital Empire Nation and One West Radio (107FM) was also a “Women Who Dare To Be Different" Honoree.
More than 300 people packed The Theodore D. Young Community Center to recognize women who excel in community service, entrepreneurship and education.

Political leaders, including female dynamo’s Mt. Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Peekskill’s Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Greenburgh Town Clerk Judy Beville, Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements, Board Chair Westchester County Legislator Catherine Borgia and the powerful and phenomenal State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.  Madame Leader is the mother of Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc’s COO Kevin Cousins and mother-in-law of Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.’s CEO Kecia Palmer- Cousins.
Debonair and brilliant Congressman Jamaal Bowman introduced the inspiring keynote speaker, the fearless and courageous NYS Attorney General Letitia James. 
NYS Attorney General Letitia James eloquently inspired the attendees reminding us all that "It's really critically important that we teach girls about being close up to power and recognizing that they belong in this spot and on this stage." 

Letitia “Tish” James is the 67th Attorney General for the state of New York. With decades of experience and a long record of achievements, she is a powerful, effective attorney and lifelong public servant. When she was elected in 2018, she became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected Attorney General.
Women are and continue to be powerful! Special congratulations to the 2023 Women Who Dare To Be Different and Youth Honorees!
We walk on the shoulders of those that came before us! 
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was the first African American woman in Congress (1968) and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president of the United States from one of the two major political parties (1972). Her motto and title of her autobiography—Unbought and Unbossed—illustrates her outspoken advocacy for women and minorities during her seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Click here to check out this Shirley Chisholm news clip.
Kecia’s dream-making parents, Leroy Palmer, Sr and the beloved late Obie Mae Palmer, had the honor of meeting Shirley Chisholm at the Yonkers Community Improvement Corporation’s 1st Annual Dinner Dance at the Polish Community Center in Yonkers back in 1971, where she signed their program. The Master of Ceremonies Mr. Al Grannum (WLIB Radio Station DJ), even signed their program too for Kecia and her three brothers, Leroy, Jr. , Curtis and Vaughn.
Imagine how proud Kecia felt on March 21, 2023, attending Mt. Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard’s Fundraising Reception at this jam-packed venue now known as “The Castle Royale” knowing that Mayor Patterson was speaking in the same room as Shirley Chisholm spoke years ago and as her mother-in-law, Madame Leader has also spoken on numerous occasions. 
One of Shirley Chisholm’s quotes resonates with the Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. team every day, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." We do our best to bring a folding chair for ourselves and for others.
Kecia and Kevin are proud each and every day of the great work and efforts that their mother, mother-in-law, shero NYS Majority Leader achieves daily with grace, poise, love and collaborative style daily leading the New York State Senate - impacting so many throughout New York State! We love you much!

NYS Majority Leader and NYS Senator Andrea Alice Stewart-Cousins is a member of the Democratic Party, Stewart-Cousins has represented District 35 in the New York State Senate since 2007 and has served as Majority Leader and Temporary President of that body since 2019. She has previously served twice as acting Lieutenant Governor of New York under Governor Kathy Hochul, for 16 days in 2021 and between April and May 2022. Stewart-Cousins is the first Black woman to serve as the New York lieutenant governor, although in an acting capacity. She is the first woman in the history of New York State to lead a conference in the New York State Legislature and is also the first female Senate Majority Leader in New York history.

Click here to watch a recent 1-on-1 with Senator Stewart-Cousins on News 12!
News 12's senior investigative reporter Tara Rosenblum takes a closer look at the female trailblazers across the tri-state who are paving the way for progress and fighting to "march history forward" during Women's History Month. Click here to check it out!
As Women’s History month comes to an end, let’s all support the women in our lives in their dreams and goals!
 
Kecia would like to pay homage and thank her beloved mother, the late Obie Mae Palmer for giving her “wings to fly" and empowering her to believe that she can do anything that she set her mind to do.
Thanks, Mom for your love, attention and affection. Thanks for instilling in me a love for life, thirst for education, civic engagement, family, faith and love for others. I miss you! However, I carry you, your kindness and your legacy in my heart and mind each and every day.

Thanks for loving me for me. Thanks for being there for me, Kevin, our amazing sons Kendall and Kyle and our entire family throughout the years. Rest in power! You and dad were the first entrepreneurs that I met. Thanks for your life and business lessons! Treat others as you would like to be treated, great customer service and quality products and services will take your far. …and it has! Love you! I am because of you!

Reflections of Life

Obie Mae Palmer (Bryant) was born in Unadilla, GA on July 29, 1941, to William Jennings Bryant and Carrie Lee Kendricks. Her loving maternal grandparents, uncles and aunts raised her for 8 years after her mother passed away a few hours after giving birth to her. They nicknamed her "Pee Wee" since she was so tiny. Upon discharge from the military, Obie's father, WJ, married Daisy Bryant (Cherry). They raised Obie and her 7 brothers and 2 sisters in Detroit, MI and Bronx, NY. As a teenager in Detroit, Obie was good friends with one of Aretha Franklin’s sisters and attended New Bethel Baptist Church where Aretha’s father was the pastor. Obie attended Morris High School and worked at the St. Patrick's Home For The Aged and Infirm in the Bronx and St. Barnabas Hospital. She always had a passion for fashion, loved to sew and accessorize her clothing with jewelry and pocketbooks. She was a very beautiful, spiritual and classy woman. She loved keeping herself together, wearing perfume and bargain shopping. Most of all, she loved the Lord and her family!

In New York, Obie met her husband Leroy Palmer at a party through her friend Lena, Leroy's cousin. They were married for 58 years. Leroy always said that Obie was the love of his life. Their favorite song was Etta James "At Last". They raised their sons, Vaughn, Leroy Jr., Curtis (predeceased) and daughter Kecia in The Bronx, NY and Mt. Vernon, NY. Leroy and Obie stressed the importance of education, black history, self-reliance and community service with their children. Obie loved her husband, children, grand-children and great grandchildren, in-laws, host of family members and friends with love, affection and attention. She had a personal and strong bond with each of them especially her caregivers for the last two years on earth, her husband Leroy, daughter Kecia, nieces, Salima and Nekida and her best friend Mrs. Clora Jackson.

Obie was Secretary of the Robert Fulton Elementary School PTA, chaperoned school trips, an elementary school lunchroom monitor, Avon Lady and Tupperware Sales Representative. She operated a successful day care center in her home. Her husband operated a moving business on the weekend. She entered back into the workforce as a Nurse's Aide after her husband went on disability leave (Department of Sanitation). She worked for over 35 years as a Nurse's Aide before retiring at Woodland Nursing Home in NY and The Franke Home in SC. Some of her patients included the black silent film director's Oscar Micheaux wife Alice. She became a private sitter after her 2nd retirement. In NY, Obie was a member of Unity Baptist Tabernacle in Mt. Vernon, NY (Usher/ Hospitality) and then New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC. (Missionary Board). Obie transitioned on November 13, 2021. We loved her, but God loved her best!
PHILANTHROPY AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP MWBEs BUILD WEALTH AND CAPACITY!
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!
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 WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH TODAY AND EVERY DAY!
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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.