These 3 returning citizens (Fahim, Dante, Patrick) from Richmond and Oakland, CA successfully participated in our incubator program, Strategize1st,  where our CEO, Wesley Alexander, prepared them to launch 1Hundred Years Enterprise. Together, these gentlemen host a mind-blowing podcast called 1Hundred Years Podcast as well as provide a consultation service called ListnUp to assist returning citizens and their families to navigate and anticipate the challenges of re-acclimating back into society. They are Heaven-Bent on preventing youth and those at-risk from making the same Early-Death decisions they made that led them to cumulatively receive sentences totaling to 100 years of incarceration. Please support their much needed by subscribing their podcast and referring a loved one in need to their consultation service.
Website: www.1hundredyears.biz

CoBiz was fortunate to award Aurora Dias of Richmond, CA with a 6 month membership voucher to CoBiz as part of our Coming Back Stronger Initiative to support her efforts to launch the first Latina sourced beauty box to serve the Latina community.  We are super excited to witness her progress with her start-up.  If you are looking to support a business savvy Founder who supremely understands her market and growth potential, Aurora is the ideal Founder to rally behind.  
website: www.thejefas.com

Ben Gilbarg, CEO and Founder of Power Shift Creative, participated in Strategize1st and launched his startup in 2021.  Ben is known for producing viral campaigns via various creative mediums to help educate the youth.  In 2021, he successfully managed, produced, and released the If I Was Wild Music Video (see above) for the National Wildlife Federation. We love to see Ben at CoBiz conducting meetings, editing his videos, and fellowshipping with other members.
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Website: www.powershiftcreative.com  

Our elders, Stan Byias (CEO/Founder), Eric, Louis, and Reggie participated in our business incubator to help re-vamp their non-profit, Brothers of International Faith, with the goal to establish their digital presence, improve operational efficiency, grow their Board, tell their story, and ultimately move more strategically to fulfill their mission. BOIFCA operates 14 Grocery Giveaways at 8 different sites across Richmond and West Contra Costa County. Since 2008, they have served over 20 tons of food, seving more than 20K families. 

Jasmin Johnson, a fervent advocate and experienced educator, is on a mission to reverse the poor educational outcomes for Black and Brown K-12 students. After participating in our business incubator, Jasmin launched All Aspects Academy to create an innovative educational hybrid model that engages, challenges, and rewards students. with the opportunity to graduate high school with their associate or bachelor's degree. We are proud of you. 
Website:  www.allaspectsacademy.com

In May, CoBiz hosted Honary Member/Entrepreneur/Chef Yaqueline Martinez and her husband's band, Pablo Soto CampoAmor, to lively up Macdonald Avenue with Cuban cuisine and Cuban music.  While practicing social distancing, people consumed food, danced, and felt a sense of community at a time when hopelessness and isolation was rampant. Thank you Yaqueline for patronizing CoBiz and bring Cuba to Richmond, CA. 
website: www.yaquelineysusaborcubano.com
Band:     Coming Soon

CoBiz was honored to host Doug Harris, a Real Richmond native and wonderful producer of the powerful documentary Uzikee Nelson, a national treasure, Afro-centric sculptor and arts activists whose story just inspires. 

NABVETS  - Member and Incubator Participants

Via our Coming Out Stronger Initiative, CoBiz awarded 6 month membership voucher to NABVETS to help them grow their charter.  We were fortunate to see this local chapter receive their official charter while a member of CoBiz as well as host their ceremony at CoBiz.  

Devin Muprhy, member of CoBiz, was elected as Mayor Of Pinole. Otheree Christian, Member of CoBiz and Incubator Participant was elected to the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board.