Progress Playbook

Moderator Spotlight:
Chris Moncrief of The Kyndred Group, and Anita Pierce of Eleven3seven5 will guide conversations on how entrepreneurs can work together to build collective wealth that gives back to our neighborhoods. Because in Brooklyn, progress has always been stronger when it’s shared.

Speaker Spotlight:
Rotimi Akinnuoye, Co-Founder of Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits, brings the voice of Brooklyn entrepreneurship to the conversation. Join us as we discuss what it takes to build, sustain, and grow businesses that serve community.

Speaker Spotlight:
Gabrielle Davenport, Co-Founder of BEM | books & more, joins the Renaissance Summit to explore how entrepreneurs can build businesses rooted in identity, creativity, and community impact.

Speaker Spotlight:
Jamilah and Alfonso Wright, owners and founders of Brooklyn Tea, know what it means to build with culture, intention, and community at the center. Hear their perspective on collective wealth and business ownership in Brooklyn.

Speaker Spotlight:
Ranti Ogunleye of the NYC Office of Neighborhood Safety joins the Summit for a timely conversation on entrepreneurship, public safety, and the power of community-led solutions.

Speaker Spotlight:

Lloyd Cambridge, President & Founder of Progress Playbook, is bringing entrepreneurs together around a bold question: What happens when businesses are built not only to grow, but to invest back into the neighborhoods that raised them?

Looking for funding opportunities this July?

We’re sharing a roundup of grants for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and community builders working to grow their impact.
At Progress Playbook, we help make funding and growth opportunities easier to find, understand, and act on.

Want monthly updates on grants, resources, and opportunities for entrepreneurs?
Subscribe to our newsletter through the link in bio.

Speaker Spotlight!

Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President & CEO of Brooklyn Org, joins the Renaissance Summit as keynote speaker. Her leadership reflects the power of investing in people, place, and the communities shaping Brooklyn’s future.

The Bronx Ball was more than a celebration. It was a reminder that the stories we tell about neighborhoods matter.

For too long, places like the Bronx have been defined by incomplete narratives. But on this night, the borough was reflected through excellence, leadership, culture, and possibility.

Narrative change is infrastructure. When communities see their own brilliance celebrated, it builds pride, expands hope, and shapes what comes next.

Every neighborhood has stories worth sharing. The work is to keep telling them.

Honorees during the night were:

Lenny Santiago (“Lenny S.”)
Senior music executive honored for shaping hip-hop, mentoring talent, and uplifting Bronx culture.

Darlene Rodriguez
Emmy-winning NBC New York journalist recognized for trusted storytelling and Bronx excellence.

Roberto “Fanum” Escanio
Bronx-born digital creator honored for youth influence, entrepreneurship, and global cultural impact.

Darrin Henson
Choreographer, actor, and producer recognized for artistic excellence and creative mentorship.

Jaime “Jimmy” Rodriguez
Bronx restaurateur honored for community-building, hospitality leadership, and cultural impact.

Own the Future Together
This is not just another business event. It’s a Brooklyn gathering for builders, founders, funders, and leaders who believe strong businesses can help create stronger neighborhoods.