Nadege Fleurimond, the owner of BunNan, a Haitian-Caribbean restaurant in Flatbush, Brooklyn, last Thursday, July 24, became the first brick-and-mortar small business owner in Brooklyn to receive the Dr. Luc El-Art Severe Small Business Recovery Grant.
Fleurimond received the $2,500 grant for her business through the Kappa Beta Sigma Brooklyn Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity’s Bigger and Better Business Committee.
“Receiving this grant from the Brooklyn Sigmas was an honor,” said Fleurimond during the handing-over ceremony at the 1248 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn restaurant.
“It will support my business operations and help foster community in Brooklyn,” she added. “We aim to attract more people to enjoy our Haitian-Caribbean cuisine, and this grant enables us to grow our reach.”
Fleurimond later told Caribbean Life that receiving the grant was “a significant moment for me, both personally and professionally.
“It reminded me that the work we do as entrepreneurs, especially those of us committed to uplifting our communities, is seen, valued, and supported,” she said.
“This grant comes at a critical time, and will provide much-needed relief and reinforcement, as I continue to rebuild and grow my businesses post-pandemic and beyond,” Fleurimond added. “It’s not just financial assistance; it’s a message that says, ‘You are not alone.’ That kind of support is priceless.
“I’m deeply honored to be recognized in the name of Luc Severe, whose legacy of leadership, community service, and excellence is one I greatly admire,” she continued. “Please extend my sincere thanks to the Brooklyn Sigmas for this generous support, and for continuing to invest in the dreams and resilience of local business owners like myself.”
Juan Perez, Sigma Brooklyn Chapter, said the Dr. Luc El-Art Severe Small Business Recovery Grant is “a testament to our ongoing commitment to supporting and uplifting the Brooklyn Small Business community, a cause dear to Dr. Severe’s heart.
“We are proud to continue his legacy by providing essential resources to entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our local economy,” he added.
Council Member Farah N. Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, who represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, and her City Council colleague, Rita Joseph, the Haitian-born representative for the adjacent 40th Council District in Brooklyn, as well as Randy Peers, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, attended the ceremony.
Louis presented a citation to Fleurimond and thanked the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for “your hard work.”
“Thank you for being strong advocates for the community,” she said.
Louis also expressed gratitude to the Brooklyn Sigmas “for this grant.”
“We’re so glad you’re here,” she said.
Joseph, who celebrated her birthday that day, thanked the chamber for “the incredible work you do.”
Peers said that “working together can advance the cause.
“I want to say to the Brooklyn Sigmas, God bless you for the work you do,” he added. “COVID was hard, but it’s really hard to run small businesses in New York City.”
In hosting the 4th Annual Dr. Luc El-Art Severe Small Business Recovery Grant Awards Celebration, hosted by the Brooklyn Sigmas’ Bigger and Better Business Initiative, honored the late Bro. Dr. Luc El-Art Severe, a cherished member of Phi Beta Sigma, unexpectedly passed away a few years ago.
The Sigmas said Dr. Severe was “a dedicated attorney who passionately advocated for the small business community in Brooklyn and New York State.
“Supporting small businesses is vital in Brooklyn,” they said. Since the pandemic ended and with political and cultural impacts this year, many have closed or experienced challenges, prompting community efforts to step up and support.
“Through the efforts of the Brooklyn Sigmas and the Bigger and Better Business Initiative, small businesses are now better positioned to thrive and survive,” they added.
For more information on supporting the Phi Beta Sigma Brooklyn Chapter’s Bigger & Better Business initiatives and the Dr. Luc El-Art Severe Small Business Recovery Grant, visit https://www.brooklynsigmas.org/campaign-4.
