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Boston Chamber
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          • New Chamber Event Series
        • ...
          Limited Series
          Transportation First | State of the Airport

          The Transportation First Series offers a platform to discuss the challenges faced by our region, with the input of experts and changemakers.

          06/12/2025

          2:45pm - 4:30pm

          Hybrid | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Public Policy
          2025 Government Affairs Forum | Senator Edward J. Markey

          Hear from Senator Edward J. Markey, a consumer champion and leader on energy, environmental protection, and telecommunications policy.

          06/16/2025

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Boston Marriott Long Wharf

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Women's Network
          A Fireside Chat with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Boston University

          This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.

          06/18/2025

          11:30am - 1:00pm

          Fairmont Copley Plaza

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
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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

Jump to page section

  • Overview
  • Speakers
  • FAQs
  • Funders
  • Location

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.

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Staff
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
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 a number of fine dining restaurants in Atlantic City and Boston, but he always wanted to have a business of his own. He knew that the kind of food he liked to cook was unique (and delicious), so he decided to test the market by opening a food truck.

See on LinkedInarrow-go
Headshot of founder Akou Diabakhate
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
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, Kodd Magazine from France, British Vogue Magazine, Deamingless Magazine in U.K., Surreal Beauty Magazine, to Shuba Magazine and many more. You may also know me as Miss Africa USA, coming in 3rd place and representing my country, Senegal from 2017-2018. My brand empowers you to feel and be beautiful through exclusive skincare products and service.

See on LinkedInarrow-go
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
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 in Boston, Yanique has built a flourishing career in floral design, following a successful background in marketing. In 2021, she made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and pursue her passion for floral design full-time, transforming what began as a weekend hobby into a thriving business.

During the pandemic, Yanique grew her brand, developing a diverse clientele that spans weddings, corporate functions, and social events. Her talent for creating memorable experiences has positioned her as a sought-after figure in the event industry. This year, she is expanding her business with the opening of her first brick-and-mortar location in historic Mattapan, marking an exciting new chapter for both Yanique Events and Boston Flower Co.

See on LinkedInarrow-go
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.

See on LinkedInarrow-go
Headshot of SVP, Director of Small Business Michael Semizoglou
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
Michael Semizoglou is SVP, Director of Small Business at Needham Bank. He has assisted Needham Bank in receiving the Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender designation and ranking third in the SBA’s 2023 Fiscal Year Loan Volume Report. His goal is to assist as many different owners as possible in starting, maintaining, and growing their businesses with all the products and services Needham Bank offers. In his 20+ years of lending experience, he has worked with many different business owners ranging from the start-up phase to fully matured. His diversified industry knowledge along with the ability to learn and offer different credit enhancement programs has allowed him to help hundreds of businesses over his lending career.

See on LinkedInarrow-go

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

Liberty Mutual Insurance Logo

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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Boston, MA 02110
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