Avenues for Justice Partners with Women-Owned Businesses for Our HIRE Up Internship Placements

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) is proud to highlight our women-owned business partners who have provided internship placements for AFJ Participants. In 2023, we launched two cohorts of our HIRE Up internship initiative with 8-week paid internship placements for our young adults. Spearheaded by AFJ’s Job Developer, Shantel Brooks, with support from Court Advocate, Julia Price, our HIRE Up job readiness program has provided our Participants with career paths in industries such as event production, hospitality, food and beverage, security, technology, and fitness. Since 2023, AFJ has paired ten female Participants with trailblazing female entrepreneurs throughout NYC who have provided invaluable guidance, mentorship, and work experience.

“When our female Participants see other women with similar backgrounds, women who grew up in the same neighborhoods as them and are now entrepreneurs, it gives them the motivation to take critical steps to improve their lives. Being able to envision owning their own business is a huge motivator for a young person.” ~Shantel Brooks, AFJ Job Developer

Dawn Kelly, the owner of The Nourish Spot, where several of our Participants have been placed, shared how “running a small business, as a woman, especially one deeply rooted in the community, is both fulfilling and demanding. The Nourish Spot was born out of me and my family’s desire to create access to healthier food options in underserved areas. It is incredibly rewarding to see how it’s grown into a gathering place where people come to nourish not only their bodies but also their spirits. The joy of watching young people gain job skills, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, and giving back to my neighborhood is unmatched. That said, the challenges are real. Access to capital, navigating bureaucracy, and being taken seriously as a Black woman business owner have all tested my resilience. I’ve learned to lean on my community and build strategic partnerships that open doors. Representation matters, and I’m proud to show others that success is possible with determination and purpose.

AFJ truly understands the power of investing in women. They provide more than just resources — they offer a platform for their voices, a network for meaningful connections, and access to opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach. From mentorship and training programs to advocacy initiatives, AFJ equips female Participants with the tools they need to grow our businesses and make an impact. When women are uplifted, we uplift entire communities. AFJ recognizes that, and their support encourages their Participants to not only succeed individually but also pay it forward.”

In celebration of Women's History Month, below are the women-owned businesses that AFJ has partnered with for internship placements for our Participants:

Xia Charles, Braided Hair Salon

Xia Charles, founder of Braided New York Salon, was referred to AFJ through a community member. One of Xia’s clients is the mother of an AFJ Participant and through this connection, Xia contacted Shantel to learn more about our internship program. AFJ placed two Participants who were interested in the hair and beauty industry with Xia.  

Read more about Xia Charles and Braided in the New York Times!

“I had a fun experience working with Xia at Braided. I learned more about doing hair, communication skills, and social skills. I also loved the people I worked with!” ~Eniya, AFJ Intern at Braided

Melissa Johnson, Yummy Tummy's Kitchen

Founded in 2011, by Brooklyn native Melissa Johnson, Yummy Tummy’s Kitchen is an East Williamsburg based bakery. Partnering with Melissa has been a resounding success for both AFJ and Yummy Tummy’s. When the first two AFJ interns arrived, Melissa quickly noticed that her business started running more efficiently. Melissa delighted in how, “AFJ interns became a critical function of the business.”

One of Melissa’s superpowers, according to Shantel, is that she quickly identifies the potential in each young person and places them in a role which will maximize their work experience. Whether it is customer-facing, baking, preparation, cleaning, packing/handling, or other kitchen tasks, Melissa makes sure that each intern is set up for success.

“To have an AFJ intern activates purpose. You are pouring back into the community and giving young people something to do. You are giving someone the opportunity you didn’t have as a youth.” ~Melissa Johnson, Owner of Yummy Tummy’s

“Melissa is a hard-working, educated woman. She inspires her community with how hard she works day in and day out. She always motivates us to be the best people we can be by leading with determination. She shows us how we can successfully overcome any obstacles in life.” ~Anthony, AFJ Intern at Yummy Tummy’s

Read more about Yummy Tummy’s partnership with AFJ here!

Shenekqua Johnson, Heaven’s Tiny Tots DayCare

Our newest partner, Heaven’s Tiny Tots has provided a variety of internship opportunities based on the belief that each child is a unique individual. They provide developmentally appropriate programs that focus on the process of learning and helping children enjoy successful experiences. In many ways, AFJ’s individualized approach mirrors that of Heaven’s Tiny Tots.

When AFJ first partnered with Heaven’s Tiny Tots, Shantel was looking for a Black-owned daycare for a Participant who was interested in pursuing a career in childcare. Shantel got in touch with the HR Director and COO of Heaven's Tiny Tots, Shenekqua Johnson, and a new partnership was quickly formed.

“My internship experience was better than I expected. At first, I was nervous because I was the only female intern, but Shenekqua helped me quickly feel comfortable.” ~Anyea, AFJ Intern at Heaven's Tiny Tots

Dawn Kelly, The Nourish Spot

Founded by Dawn Kelly, The Nourish Spot serves healthy food and beverages, offering customizable smoothies, salads, natural juice blends, sandwich wraps, protein waffles, yogurt parfaits and more. Dawn has been a phenomenal partner with AFJ, and we have received excellent feedback on her leadership as a supervisor. The Nourish Spot often times has satellite opportunities for events and frequently reaches out to AFJ to help staff with these exciting opportunities.

Most memorably, The Nourish Spot hired three of AFJ’s Participants to work their station at the 2024 US Open. This type of partnership required trust from Dawn in our youth and we were thrilled to offer this experience. Since the last internship cohort, Dawn has hired two of our Participants as staff members!

“Working with a female AFJ Participant was inspiring. The young woman was passionate, driven, and committed to creating change in her life and community. It’s powerful to share stories, exchange knowledge, and learn from one another’s experiences. There’s an unspoken understanding among women entrepreneurs — we know the balancing act it takes to run a business while managing personal responsibilities. Supporting and uplifting each other through that journey is invaluable.” ~ Dawn Kelly, Founder of The Nourish Spot

Myriam Simpierre, Buy Better Foods/Myriam’s Teas & Wellness

Buy Better Foods was an organic natural food, zero-waste shopping and wellness health store in Bed-Stuy founded by Myriam Simpierre. Myriam has since transitioned Buy Better Foods to Myriam’s Tea and Wellness, offering wellness counselling and handcrafted tea blends.

When AFJ kicked off the paid-internship cohort, Myriam was one of the first businesses to respond to Shantel’s outreach. As one of the first two internship hosting sites, Myriam and Jenna demonstrated the potential of what these internship cohorts could really be. The AFJ internship program wouldn’t be where it is without the success of our partnership with Myriam back in 2023.  

“I learned new ways of taking care of your body, along with more natural and healthy ways to eat. Working there as a social media intern brought out the creative side of me." ~Jenna, AFJ Intern at Buy Better Foods  

In August 2023, AFJ hosted an Instagram Live conversation with Myriam and Jenna, watch the full interview here!

Yajaira Springer, KD's Comfort Food

KDs Comfort Food is a Brooklyn-based catering business led by Chef Yajaira Springer (Chef Yajaira). Referred to AFJ by Yummy Tummy’s Kitchen, Chef Yajaira has provided placements for AFJ interns who reside in Brooklyn, making their work commute much easier after school. She exhibits compassion and understanding as she knows firsthand what it is like to grow up without many opportunities.

“I love running a business that provides great food to the community. Working with AFJ’s young women has been such a great experience as I strive to create opportunities for them to learn and acquire new skills.” ~Yajaira Springer, Chef and Owner of KDs Comfort Food

Emelyn Stuart, Stuart Cinema & Cafe

Founded by Emelyn Stuart, this woman-owned movie theater was one of the first business partners selected to participate in AFJ’s HIRE Up internship program. This partnership began in 2023 and welcomed 12 Participants to learn about what it takes to run a movie theater. An additional seven Participants worked with Stuart Cinemas through AFJ’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). One AFJ Participant completed two internship placements with Stuart Cinema, along with SYEP, and was subsequently hired by a company last summer as a result of their internship experience.

Emelyn also graciously hosted AFJ’s premier of our legacy documentary “An Avenue Named Justice: 45 Years of Second Chances” in November 2024.

"As the first Afro-Latina to own an independent movie theater in NY, I understand the importance of community. I recognize the responsibility I have to advocate and support my community. As a minority, I was not able to find funding to open the theater, so I had to liquidate all my assets to build the theater. Every day, I use the theater to keep people connected to stories and provide a safe place for people to work, and for my customers, I see them!” ~Emelyn Stuart, Founder and Owner of Stuart Cinema & Cafe

“Working at Stuart Cinema was an amazing experience and opportunity, with a familial, fun, and positive environment. You learn so much while working there. There were times that I was having a rough day but as soon as I started my shift it would just always make my day better because of the fellow coworkers and the interactions with the customers.” ~Asia, AFJ Intern at Stuart Cinema 

Tinnil Sydney, 2 Chix Brunch

2 Chix is a Black, female-owned brunch spot named after two sisters but solely operated by one, Tinnil Sydney. The restaurant’s décor and menu reflect the owner’s background of being born in Trinidad and raised in New York.

AFJ got connected to Tinnil through Dawn from The Nourish Spot. Tinnil already had experience working with Drive Change, a culinary internship program for individuals who are formerly incarcerated.

“As a woman entrepreneur, running a small business that’s deeply connected to my community has been both rewarding and challenging. The most exciting part is creating a space where people feel seen, valued, and nourished—not just through food, but through culture and connection. Access to resources, funding, and consistent support is always a hurdle, but the resilience I’ve built through these challenges has made me a stronger business owner and leader.

AFJ plays a crucial role in uplifting its female Participants by providing real opportunities to gain hands-on experience, build professional skills, and see their own potential. Representation matters, and having a support system that actively nurtures their growth is invaluable. I’ve seen firsthand how this program fosters ambition and resilience in young women, setting them up for future success.

When I think about the fact that I am somebody’s example somewhere, it pushes me forward. I’m not a typical restaurateur who had investors or partners. I’m striving to do this on my own in a male-dominated field, and that’s what keeps me going.” ~Tinnil Sydney, Owner of 2 Chix Brunch

Corinna Williams, Celsious Laundry HQ

Founded by entrepreneur Corinna Williams, Celsious Laundry HQ, exemplifies the success of our internship program. Not only did they extend internship placement for two AFJ interns for an extra four weeks, they subsequently hired star intern, Nathaniel, for a permanent position. When Shantel envisioned AFJ’s HIRE Up internship program, her primary focus was for placements to lead to long-term employment. Given the strengths of the two AFJ interns, Celsious tailored their positions to maximize the workplace experience they gained. Corinna is proud to support justice-impacted young people through employment opportunities, emphasizing that “professionalism, punctuality, respectfulness, and teamwork” are more important than the mistakes that an individual makes.

Corinna is proud to support young people who have had involvement in the criminal justice system by giving them a chance in her business. She emphasizes that “professionalism, punctuality, respectfulness, and teamwork” are more important than an individual’s mistakes and according to Corinna, AFJ’s interns have been nothing short of spectacular in all these areas.