Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic, and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer, and Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation President and CEO Lindsay Greene and AYO Labs founder Francilia Wilkins Rahim.
Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
The Brooklyn Navy Yard is set to be home to a new $25 million state-of-the-art manufacturing, incubator, and accelerator facility focused on helping Black- and women-owned health and beauty businesses launch and grow in New York City.
Mayor Eric Adams officially announced the upcoming opening of AYO Labs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at a Thursday press conference, which he says will put money back in the pockets of Black and Brown entrepreneurs, especially women of color.
Once phase one of the project is completed next year, it will deliver a 26,000-square-foot, $12 million manufacturing ecosystem to support over 100 entrepreneurs annually as they develop and scale their companies. Phase two is expected to be completed by 2026 and will expand the facility to bring an additional 14,000 square-feet of manufacturing space online.
R.F. Wilkins Consultants was selected to develop and operate AYO Labs, which is expected to create over 900 direct and indirect jobs in the first five years of operation.
“Our administration believes we have a critical role in helping small businesses turn their big dreams into a reality. Today, I am proud that R.F. Wilkins Consultants, a Black woman-owned-and-run firm, is seeing their dream come to life,” said Mayor Adams. “While the beauty and wellness industry continues to boom by serving Black and Brown people, that wealth has not come back to those same communities. With this announcement, New York City is taking a stand, putting money back in the pockets of Black and Brown entrepreneurs, especially women of color.”
Francilia Wilkins Rahim, founder and CEO, R.F. Wilkins Consultants and AYO Labs said the space will help businesses…
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