May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and 13 Brooklyn-based Asian American small businesses received a financial boost to help modernize their digital marketing strategies.
On May 11, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, alongside Asian Americans for Equality and the Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, announced the recipients of $2,000 microgrants during an event at Lady Chow Kitchen in Bensonhurst.
The financial stimulus is part of Reynoso’s partnership with Asian Americans for Equality, a nonprofit that promotes racial, social and economic justice. Reynoso first announced the collaboration during his 2024 State of the Borough address, allocating $30,000 from his Fiscal Year 2025 budget to support small businesses and provide multilingual resources.
Jesse Lee, managing director of the Renaissance Economic Development Corporation — a small business affiliate of AAFE — told Brooklyn Paper that many entrepreneurs lacked a digital presence and that a strong online marketing strategy is essential for small businesses to grow.
“A lot of [small businesses] are still relying on foot traffic, and I think by using digital marketing, they can attract new business to Brooklyn and their business,” Lee said.
To qualify, businesses had to be based in Brooklyn and demonstrate a loss in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Owners were also required to attend a workshop on how modern digital marketing strategies can help transform their online presence and drive growth.
“We want them to spend the money wisely, so they had to go through our classes,” Lee said. “Now they’re getting to implement what they want to do.”
Reynoso’s father owned a pizzeria and bodega after immigrating to the United States from the Dominican Republic. The Beep noted that small businesses are the backbone of Brooklyn’s economy and a gateway to the middle class for immigrant families.
“Small businesses are the backbone of Brooklyn’s economy, and in a time of economic uncertainty, it is imperative to provide them with the infrastructure to succeed,” Reynoso said. “As people increasingly shop online, our small businesses need all the resources they can get to compete in a digital market. I am proud to partner with AAFE to provide these microgrants and cannot wait to see how these 13 neighborhood businesses will thrive in the digital marketplace.”
Thomas Yu, executive director of Asian Americans for Equality, thanked Reynoso for helping make the microgrant program possible.
“When our small businesses succeed, jobs are created and retained, communities are safer and stronger, and our communities thrive,” Yu said.
Among the recipients were Eunjoo Yi, owner of Nostrand Ave Inc., a Korean deli, grocery and flower shop; nail salon owner Young Kim; and Aiqin Zhou, owner of Lady Chow Kitchen.
Yi told Brooklyn Paper she plans to invest the funds wisely in her digital marketing strategy to help grow her business.
“In order to grow, I need to have advertisements,” Yi said.
Kim, the owner of Y2 Nail Inc. in Williamsburg, told Brooklyn Paper that receiving $2,000 cheered her up.
“The $2,000 microgrant helps to modernize my digital marketing strategies,” Kim said.
Zhou thanked Reynoso, Asian Americans for Equality and the Renaissance Economic Development Corporation for believing in small businesses like hers.
“Renaissance gave me the capital and guidance to grow — first in Chinatown, and now in Brooklyn. With the Brooklyn Digital Marketing Grant, I’m excited to take my marketing to the next level,” Zhou said.
Additional recipients included J&Y Dak Inc., a Korean restaurant; Bon Voyage USA Inc., a luggage wholesaler; Emerly Custom Bridal Corp., a custom clothing tailor; Metalmania Sheet Metal Works Inc.; SoGo Home USA Inc., a home retail goods supplier; Art to Ware Fashion LLC, a fashion designer and retailer; R&D&B Goods LLC, a gourmet grocery store doing business as R&D Goods; Kang Li Trading Inc., a wholesale health supplements company; Karepango LLC, a clothing retailer; and Hayoung Corp., a beauty supply store doing business as Michelle Beauty. 4o mini
