Behind the Scenes of a
SPACE Grantee

November 6, 2024 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Democracy Brewery

Event Details

Join us for Behind the Scenes of a SPACE Grantee!

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in an open dialogue with previous SPACE grant winners.

Tickets

This event is FREE for both Members & Non-Members

Get to Know the SPACE Grantees

Join Pacesetters for the next installment of the Behind the Scenes of an MBE series, featuring some of the winners of the City of Boston’s Supporting Pandemic-Affected Community Enterprises (SPACE) Grant.

This in-person event will highlight the successes of these diverse businesses and provide attendees with an insider’s look at their operations. Participants will have the unique opportunity to hear directly from the founders about how they transformed their businesses into the successes they are today.

ABOUT THE BUSINESSES

Mo’Rockin Fusion
Despite being out only two days a week, Morad’s food truck began to gain steam over the year as more and more customers came to know and appreciate his distinctive cuisine. Eventually the city took notice, offering him more and better food truck locations until ultimately he was able to operate his truck seven days a week. Achieving success doesn’t mean the hard work is over, though. Morad states, “All I do is work. I wake up at 6:00, I prepare my food, I start my truck, I drive an hour from my home to Boston, do a little preparation, we start at 11 we finish at 2, we drive back, and then we prepare for the next day. ”He’s proud of the progress he’s made, but as an ambitious business owner, he’s always looking for his next project. His goal is to open a brick and mortar location for Mo’Rockin Fusion in Quincy Market, one of busiest tourist locations in Greater Boston. Getting a space in such a high traffic site is a tough task, but knowing Morad, he’ll be up for the challenge.

Bold Skin Babe
Bold Skin Babe is a skincare company with leading estheticians, carefully crafted products and a community that caters to providing quality care. The owner, Akou Diabakhate, originally from Senegal, West Africa, previously worked as a translator and model before founding Bold Skin Babe. Her work has been featured in British Vogue Magazine and many other prestigious publications.

Yanique Events
Yanique Events is a Boston based full-service floral company that services all of New England by incorporating their signature style and creative direction to elevate every event and client experience.

Questions? Contact Us.

Amber Haskell

VP and Chamber Foundation Executive Director

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Amber

Speakers

Morad Bouzidi

Executive Chef, Mo’Rockin Fusion

Morad’s love for cooking stems from his childhood growing up in Morocco and helping his mother out in the kitchen. He moved to the U.S. in his 20s and worked at…Read more

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Akou Diabakhate

Founder, Bold Skin Babe

I am from Senegal West Africa. Translator at first but now, model and entrepreneur. My work has been published in several magazines from Volant Magazine in Germany,…Read more

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Yanique Shaw

Founder & CEO, Yanique Events

Yanique Shaw is a dynamic entrepreneur and the founder of Yanique Events and Boston Flower Co., a flower shop set to open in late 2024. Born in Jamaica and raised…Read more

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Alia Hamada Forrest

Director of Business Strategy Mayors Office of Economic Opportunity

Alia Hamada Forrest is the Director of Business Strategy for the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. She leads a team of industry managers who…Read more

Alia Hamada Forrest is the Director of Business Strategy for the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. She leads a team of industry managers who support the work of attracting new businesses, retaining and growing existing businesses, and engaging the Boston business community to help build a resilient and vibrant City that centers people and creates opportunities to build generational wealth for all communities. As part of her role, she supported the creation and led the implementation of the S.P.A.C.E. (Supporting Pandemic Affected Community Enterprises) Grant Program, funded by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act), to fill vacant storefronts with small businesses disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Alia was also the former Cannabis Business Manager in the department, where she facilitated the strengthening of existing and launch of new cannabis businesses in Boston. Before working at the City, Alia spent six years leading Roslindale Village Main Street as the Executive Director. She was instrumental in the development of the Birch Street tactical plaza, the activation of the Roslindale Substation, and the implementation of many community events including the RVMS Farmers Market and Holiday Market to help create a vibrant commercial district. Additionally, she served on the Board of Directors of the Boston Main Streets Foundation, where she helped fund projects and programs that supported small businesses across all of Boston’s neighborhoods. Additionally, Alia is an AmeriCorps alum who served at 826 Boston in Roxbury, supporting Boston Public School students with their writing skills and collaborated with public school teachers on youth publishing projects. She has 10 years working in the nonprofit sector in various roles of program management, community engagement, and economic development. She has a passion for arts and culture, poetry, creative placemaking, and supporting entrepreneurs.

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Alia came to Boston in 2003 to attend Emerson College and has lived in the city ever since. Alia lives in Hyde Park with her husband and their two young children.

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Michael Semizoglou

SVP, Director of Small Business, Needham Bank

Michael Semizoglou is SVP, Director of Small Business at Needham Bank. He has assisted Needham Bank in receiving the Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred…Read more

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FAQs

Is this location handicap accessible?

The Democracy Brewing is handicap accessible. If you have any requests, please email our team at [email protected]

Is there parking available?

There is limited street parking available at this venue.

Is this locations accessible by public transit?

Democracy Brewing is a 3-minute walk from the Downtown Crossing stop, accessible by the Red and Orange lines.

Funders

Event Funder

Series Funder

Democracy Brewing

35 Temple Pl, Boston, MA 02111

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All cancellations must be received at least three (3) business days prior to the event to avoid being charged or to receive a refund.

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce encourages persons with disabilities to participate, and engage fully, in its programs and events.

If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including but not limited to, listening devices, closed captioning, large print, wheelchair access, allergies and environmental sensitivities, or if you have any questions about the venue, event format, or virtual platform, please contact us.

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Get Involved

Become a Member

About Us

Get to Know the Chamber

Member Benefits

Grow Your Business

Membership Directory

Not sure if you’re a member?

Events & Networking

WHAT’S NEXT

Upcoming Events

Engage & Learn

FEATURED EVENT

Premier Event

2026 Pinnacle Awards

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

Member Engagement

Maximize Your Membership

Register Now

Membership Directory

Discover fellow Chamber members.

Upcoming Events

Stay Involved

Talent & Workforce

City Awake

Boston’s Future Leaders

Massachusetts Apprentice Network

Women’s Leadership Program

Partnership with Boston Public Schools

Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

Policy & Impact

GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

Business Climate

Climate & Energy

Health Care

Housing & Development

Talent

Behind the Scenes of a
SPACE Grantee