LOWER MANHATTAN, Manhattan (PIX11) -- This month celebrates Women's History and National Procurement Month.
More than a dozen of New York City's most influential women leaders came together for a summit in Lower Manhattan. One is a Latina leading a nonprofit helping youth turn their lives around.
It was the power of city hall to CEOs in Lower Manhattan, a women’s summit where they shared their secrets to success. The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services executive team led the discussion, and all women of color supervise New York City's $40 billion annual business contracts.
Hosting the event is Gisele Castro, CEO of Exalt Youth. For over two decades, Castro has transformed young people’s lives through education, employment opportunities, and criminal justice reform. It’s because of her own personal pain.
Bronx-born and raised and a proud Boricua. Since 2016, Castro has led Exalt, helping thousands of young people between the ages of 15 to 19.
Here’s how it works. If a young person gets into trouble, they come to Exalt for 21 weeks instead of going to detention. They go to classes, from practical training on the job to the inside work, changing their mindset and finding their way to a better life.
Fatima Kamate, 33, from Bed-Stuy, came to Exalt as an 18-year-old. She said she was on the wrong track until a social worker intervened. Kamate just got her associate's degree in business administration and is on her way to Ivy League.
The power of women saying yes to other women changes communities one life at a time. Exalt needs corporate partners for internships and support to expand the program. To connect, go to exaltyouth.org.
If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at [email protected].
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