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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Cafe Bella Vita was the venue for the Staten Island Business Outreach Center (SIBOC) annual small business dinner, held on Oct. 24. The event was sponsored by Rucci Oil, Northfield Bank, Eden II Programs, Snappy Solutions and the Forest Avenue BID.
Honored at the dinner were Tariq Zaid, The Young Professionals Group of The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and PPA Tavern Corp, who were selected for their high standards of ethical conduct, integrity, civic and social responsibility through business leadership and volunteerism efforts in the community.
SIBOC is a non-profit organization that has been serving Staten Island since 1980. The mission is to “provide small business development programs and technical assistance to business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs to ensure their individual growth while providing sustainable economic growth on Staten Island.”
SIBOC has several programs run under its business services, including SBA Women’s Business Center (WBC), NYC MWBE Leadership Association and NYS Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC)
In addition, SIBOC manages the Forest Avenue Business Improvement District and merchants on Castleton Avenue and is currently conducting a Commercial District Needs Assessment Study for the neighborhood of West Brighton.
ABOUT THE HONOREES
TARIQ ZAID
Tariq Zaid is a multifaceted entrepreneur, brand ambassador, and community influencer and co-owner of Richmond Hood Co., a thriving retail boutique and clothing brand, and VODEGA, a plant-based eatery promoting community health.
Zaid has seamlessly integrated himself into the fabric of the borough. Despite a challenging upbringing in Brooklyn’s foster care system, Zaid’s trajectory changed when attentive counselors recognized his creativity, steering him away from a destructive path.
Introduced to the legendary Wu Tang Clan, Method Man and Redman, he became immersed in the city’s art and music subculture, resulting in the emergence of his own unique blend of art, music, and fashion. Through Richmond Hood, Zaid builds alliances, representing Staten Island in the realms of fashion, art, and culture. His journey from adversity to success fuels his determination to give back and uplift those in need.
A recipient of the Louis R. Miller award and a member of Mayor Adams’ Small Business Advisory Commission, he organizes events like Van Duzer Days, Sticky Situations and Coolin’ on Castleton, showcasing his unique blend of art, music, fashion, and prose. Beyond accolades, Zaid actively addresses social issues, raising awareness about opioid abuse through community events.
Recognized by City Councilwoman Debi Rose, NY 1, and local media, Zaid’s philanthropy extends to regular contributions to non-profits and lending his voice for awareness campaigns. Committed to empowering local youth, he provides employment opportunities in fashion, retail and marketing.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP
The Young Professionals Group (YPG) is a networking faction of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, comprised of dedicated, talented young professionals ranging in age from 21-40 in Staten Island. The YPG mission is to engage and empower young professionals to become future leaders by providing personal and professional development opportunities through programming, networking and civic involvement.
Through YPG, young professionals build relationships, develop personally and professionally, and contribute to the economic development and high-quality living of the community. The YPG provides educational and professional development, build awareness of governmental process and issues and promotes volunteer opportunities, cultivating future leaders.
PPA TAVERN CORP – THE CASATELLI FAMILY
A retired, decorated FDNY firefighter, Tommy Casatelli of PPA Tavern Corp. has been in the restaurant business for 34 years, both in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Casatelli is a peer mentor for firefighters suffering from PTSD, and recently retired from the Forest Avenue BID to spend more time with his family.
Casatelli is the oldest of five brothers who are also in the restaurant business. His younger brother Jon Patrick (JP) JP started as a dishwasher in Bay Ridge but was shortly promoted to busboy. He then became a waiter when Casatelli opened the original Kettle Black.
JP followed in Casatelli’s footsteps and joined the FDNY, became a bartender, and then became partners in both Kettle Black and Ho’Brah Tacos. With his younger brother Dave, JP branched out and opened Brooklyn Roots, a critically acclaimed Italian Restaurant on Third Avenue in Bay Ridge.
The Casatelli family owns and operates seven restaurants, which continue the traditions that started 20 years ago at that little bar in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
ABOUT SIBOC
Since 1980, the SIBOC has been serving Staten Island, providing small business development programs and technical assistance. SIBOC provides technical assistance to business owners, managers, entrepreneurs, and residents to ensure their individual growth thereby providing sustainable economic growth on Staten Island.
SIBOC empowers low- and moderate-income people through a combination of business assistance, such as one-on-one counseling, business plan development, seminars, webinars, entrepreneurship training classes, and assistance with M/WBE certification, contracting, and related help.
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