Montclair Nonprofit: Passion, Design & Black Entrepreneur Panel

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Businesses can be lucrative and philanthropic at the same time. This was one of several messages of empowerment recently discussed at a Montclair nonprofit’s “Design Week” event.

DIFFvelopment, a Montclair nonprofit, hosted Montclair Design Week’s “Passion, Design & Black Entrepreneurship” panel in October. The group aims to re-empower people of African descent through culturally specific entrepreneurial programs.

DIFFvelopment co-founders Esi and Peter Gillo said they coordinated the panel with the aim of educating attendees on “the diverse ways in which the next generation of black entrepreneurs can leverage their authentic selves and passions to design businesses that are not only lucrative, but philanthropic for communities.”

Alums from all three classes of the nonprofit’s Consultrepreneurship program were present at the panel. Attendees included Alexandra Gayle, creator of Jahpickney Art Events, a business dedicated to creating spaces of creativity, community and connectivity.

“Black entrepreneurship and design are important to me because they provide a solution to very real problems we face in our communities,” Gayle said.

Esi Gillo said that every time she hears about the success of a former program participant, it creates “an indescribable feeling.”

“What I found unbelievable was how despite not participating in the program at the same time, despite being from totally different walks of life and despite just having met each other this past summer, they all spoke the same language,” Gillo said.

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