COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Seasoned Gives Offers Entrepreneur Empowerment

Seasoned Gives is a non-profit based in Lake Katrine, NY. Founded by Martin and Tamika Dunkley, the organization was born out of a desire to help others who face the same challenges they have had as local entrepreneurs. When 2020 hit and the world was turned upside down, they began to receive requests from other entrepreneurs in the community for help in navigating the challenges of starting and running a business. In the process, they saw a real need for financial literacy and funding for underrepresented communities, and knew that they had the expertise to help.

Seasoned Gives works to empower women and the black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) community through education on ownership, equity, and the circulation of money. Tamika Dunkley, the Executive Director of Seasoned Gives, leads the way in the organization's mission.

One of the key initiatives of Seasoned Gives is to fight food insecurity by providing meals to more than 300 people every week. They also educate the community about healthy eating habits and the importance of nutrition. The organization has been providing meals to the community for years, and made a real impact on the lives of many individuals and families in the Ulster.

In addition to fighting food insecurity, an important part of Seasoned Gives is helping to provide financial education to women and the BIPOC community. The organization believes that the community can only thrive if given the tools and knowledge to build wealth, and invest in their own communities. The Seasoned Evolution Center serves as a hub for this, offering a financially accessible co-working space, meeting rooms, event space, co-packing capacity, commercial community kitchen, and onsite childcare. The result has been to uplift and empower entrepreneurs who have historically been denied access to the benefits of entrepreneurial ownership.

Seasoned Gives also mentors individuals for entrepreneurship, and provides coaching for overall life wellness. In three years, the organization has empowered hundreds of BIPOC and women entrepreneurs to build their own enterprises and achieve their dreams. They support all community members and as they continue to grow, they plan to remain committed to its mission of advocating for underrepresented communities and helping them achieve success.

For more information about Seasoned Gives, visit: seasonedgives.org