NEWBURGH — YouthBuild and the Regional Economic Community Action Program (RECAP) SNUG celebrated Black History Month on Feb. 26 with community leaders, Hudson Valley entrepreneurs and motivated young people in Newburgh.The featured entrepreneur speakers represented varied local businesses, which included a chef, protection specialist, DJ, caterer and barber. Robert McLymore, a City of Newburgh councilmember at large, was also in attendance at the family- and pet-friendly casual dinner event titled “Black Excellence in Entrepreneurship.”RECAP administers the violence-reduction initiative, SNUG (should not use guns), a backronym derived from “guns.”“They (RECAP) work with youth in the area to prevent gun violence and to mentor,” said Nicole Gonzalez, program coordinator and acting director at Newburgh YouthBuild.Newburgh YouthBuild, a part of RUPCO, facilitates job training and certifications, worksite experience and workshops, and mentoring for leadership skills for young adults aged 16–24.Nicole Gonzalez, YouthBuild program coordinator and acting director, at the Black History Month celebration in Newburgh, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026.Young people appreciate community and trainingJames Scott Jr., 21, from Newburgh, addressed his previous feelings of dissatisfaction with the way the world is with phones, and bemoaned the loss of “the old times,” a sense of community he used to feel when he was growing up. “Now it’s not really a community,” Scott said.He has learned to navigate his emotions and entertain different perspectives through the de-escalation class by Damon Finch, an event guest, whose company provides executive protection and security.Now focused on his daughter and loved ones, Scott credits his education at YouthBuild for his GED, OSHA, NCCER and security guard license. With an easy smile, he said that he tries to instill community by giving back food, books and clothes at events and participating in community clean-ups, aiming to do more.James Scott Jr. (foreground) and Omar Harper (background) at the Black History Month celebration in Newburgh, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026.Guest entrepreneurs talk of successes, challenges along the wayAll guest speakers spoke briefly about their ventures. Chef André Robinson, owner of AnArtistic Taste, catered the event.A Jamaican immigrant who moved to the U.S. at the age of 3, Robinson grew up in Southside, Jamaica, Queens, New York. He described the multifold challenges he faced, besides the coronavirus pandemic, when he opened his restaurant in Harriman in June 2020.“We had a guy that came into the restaurant,” Robinson said, “and said that the type of people who can afford my food don’t listen to the kind of music that we play. The kind of music that we play is mostly, you know, old-school R&B, old-school hip-hop, like ‘90s, 2000.”On another occasion, visitors asked Robinson to take down the sticker “Black-owned business” — sent to him by Yelp, which he had displayed in his window — telling him that “it doesn’t matter who you are.”Local entrepreneurs were featured at the Black History Month celebration in Newburgh, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026.But Robinson also received great support for his restaurant through a following from his catering business for celebrities and a buzz-inducing visit by Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots.“For every negative, we have five positives that we can decide to focus on,” said Robinson.The chef has designed a culinary after-school program for the youth. He grows vegetables and scotch bonnet peppers in-house in his summer garden, following his principle of “grow your own and use,” which he hopes to introduce to kids.Another guest, Jacqueline Lewis, owner of Jackie’s Catering, a café in Montgomery, and a food truck, started her business during the pandemic. She enjoys having her children witness her successes in her chosen pursuits.“I’m almost 40 and I’m living my dream now,” Lewis said. “I didn’t start young. I learned a lot about myself, being an owner, having more confidence, knowing my weaknesses and my strengths.”More: ICE not coming to Chester, NY Assemblyman Brian Maher saysA third speaker, Omar Harper from Epique Realty, shared his journey from working two jobs and an injury to a successful career shift.“Fall in love with the mundane as an entrepreneur,” advised Harper when asked by a student about how to keep things fresh during the daily work grind. “Your effort has to be lined up the same way every day.”The other speakers on the agenda were Makaya Williams from MW Plumbing & Heating Co, Tiffany McPhail of Happy Tree Dispensary, Moe Murphy of Krispy Fresh Cutz, Milford Jacobs from Life Lava’s Kennel, DJ Tommmydidit, ShaqqWith2Qs, Content Creator, and Peter Rodrigues, Executive Protection Agent.Interested in becoming a mentor or receiving mentorship?Anyone interested in contributing to local community building through acting as a mentor, hiring mentees, workshopping, volunteering or making donations can contact Gonzalez by phone at 845-779-8720 at ext. 425 or through the website at newburghyouthbuild.com.Contact reporter Vandana Saras at vsaras@usatodayco.com and @orangecountynyreporter on Instagram.This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: YouthBuild, RECAP celebrate Black History, local businesses in Newburgh



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