Friday, April 8, 2022
Benefiting Coalition for the Homeless’ First Step Job Training Program
Keynote Speaker Adenah Bayoh, Restaurateur & Real Estate Developer
Host Cindy Hsu, CBS2 News Anchor and Reporter
Corporate Honorees Upfluence & Universal Standard
The Plaza Hotel 770 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10019
11:30 AM Reception | 12:00 PM Luncheon
A link to livestream the program remotely will be made available prior to the event.
Each year, more than 400 of New York City’s most accomplished and engaged leaders gather to attend the Women Mean Business Luncheon, which supports the Coalition’s First Step Job Training Program. The event features program graduates sharing their moving stories and experiences. Past events have also featured guest speakers including Eve Ensler, Arianna Huffington, Hillary Clinton, Christine Quinn, Anna Quindlen, Ashley Graham, Darlene Love, First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray and Dari Alexander.
First Step gives homeless and low-income women the skills and confidence needed to achieve financial independence. Our innovative 14-week curriculum offers computer and job skills training, an internship with a major corporation or nonprofit organization, mentoring, job placement assistance and extensive post-graduate support.
As we navigate this challenging time, the safety of our guests and staff is paramount. In accordance with public health guidelines, all guests will be required to provide proof of full vaccination (copy of vaccine card or Excelsior Pass).
First Step Advisory Board
Cindy Arnold, Chair Yvette Arsenec-Weir Vanessa Barnett Christy Burke Marisol DeLeon Austin Fremont Sara Fusco Barbara Kolsun Deborah Krulewitch Natalie Lederman Susan Lerner Natsayi Mawere Rachel Noel Ruth Pryor Wendy Samuel Joan Sapinsley Jane Singer
As of February 11, 2022
Patrons Clutter Therapy LLC Fremont Blue Events Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C Deborah Krulewitch Morrison & Foerster Foundation MikeWorldWide Upfluence Weir Family Foundation
Sponsors Initiative Susan Lerner Nardello & Co. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. – Eta Nu Sigma Chapter
Friends Deloitte Vincent & Shelly Fremont Rudolph Landin Joann Lang Maita Lockhart
As of March 25, 2022
Restaurateur & Real Estate Developer
Adenah Bayoh embodies the American Dream. After escaping civil war in her native country of Liberia, she immigrated to the United States where she has become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in her home state of New Jersey. After attending public high school in Newark, Adenah put herself through Fairleigh Dickinson University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Adenah is an IHOP multi franchisee with 4 restaurants in northern New Jersey. She opened her first IHOP in Irvington Township, New Jersey at the age of 27, making her one of the youngest franchisees in the country. Because of the success of this flagship location, she has become the second largest employer in the Township. In late 2017, Adenah launched Cornbread, her first independent fast casual, farm-to-table, soul food restaurant. She recently opened her second Cornbread in downtown Newark. Most recently, she launched her latest restaurant concept, Urban Vegan. In addition to her restaurants, Adenah is a successful real estate developer with a portfolio of several major residential and mixed-use urban redevelopment projects across northern New Jersey. Adenah’s accomplishments have not gone unrecognized; in January 2015, she was appointed to the prestigious Federal Reserve Bank of New York Advisory Council on Small Business and Agriculture. In December 2015, she was named to Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 list alongside such luminaries as former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Oscar winning actress Viola Davis. Additionally, in March 2014, she was honored as one of the Top 50 Women in Business by New Jersey’s only statewide business publication, NJBIZ, and was featured on the cover of its March 24th issue. Despite her numerous successes, her proudest achievement is being a mother to her two young children.
