On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the LAEDA family gathered for an unforgettable evening of connection and community building at the LAEDA Alumni Connections: Summer Soiree.
Special thanks to alumna Sadiyyah Maamoon-Means for hosting us at her beautiful venue in Woodbury, NJ! This reunion brought together EDTP and WBA graduates from sessions #60 to #100 to share food, laughs, business tips, and mutual support.
Wisdom Shared by Our Alumni
- “Walk out on faith and not be selfish in yourself. Invest in your team and grow them.”
- “LAEDA embraces you and it is like a home and healing and family.”
- “Make your business legal through LAEDA; let every blessing be celebrated in life.”
- “Collaboration is key, but understanding what is for you is you!”
Meet the Alumni Network
Support and collaborate with the incredible local business owners who make up our network:
- Sadiyyah Maamoon-Means — The Cultural Collective Café & BrickNKulture Events Space
The first Black woman-owned coffee shop and community event venue in Gloucester County, focusing on economic empowerment and local culture.
Location: 65 N Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
Website: https://www.bricknkulture.com/
- Tracy Ferguson — Passion Driven Parties
A one-stop shop for event planning, offering delivery services, DIY party kits, and free 15-minute virtual consultations.
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/passiondrivenparties/ - Zipporah Daniels-Browne — A Notebook Company & Zylara HR Consulting
Transforms ordinary notebooks into inspirational journals featuring photography and quotes; also offers strategic HR consulting.
Website: www.anotebookcompany.com and https://www.zylarahr.com/ - Monique Powell — Sew Mystique Boutique
Handmade, stylish fashion accessories crafted to add a unique, custom touch to any outfit.
Website: www.sewmystiqueboutique.com - Cesily Cannon — Cesily’s L♡ve Meals
Full-service event and wedding catering bringing 20+ years of restaurant experience and fresh, southern-inspired dishes to your table.
Website: https://www.cesilyslovemeals.com/ - Marcell Holiday — Holiday Focus Photography LLC
Philadelphia-based high-quality photography and videography capturing artistic, dynamic angles for any occasion.
Website: www.holidayfocusphotography.com - Nancy Ruiz — C2C Education Group, LLC
Draws on 30 years of educational leadership to partner with schools and provide customized solutions from cradle to career.
Phone: (856) 397-8884 - Kashana Waples — Juice Capitol LLC
Raw, cold-press juice shop offering 100% vegan, allergy-friendly drinks, smoothie bowls, seamoss, and custom wellness kits.
Website: https://www.juicecapitol.co/ - Angela Turner — Roots of Wellness NJ
A community initiative delivering culturally grounded workshops and holistic care for youth, elders, and maternal health workers.
Email: rootsofwellnessnj@gmail.com - Breeanna Davis — Bree’s Kitchen LLC
ServSafe-certified culinary services specializing in customized meal prep, private chef dinners, and event catering.
Phone: (856) 210-3803 - Taneesha Marshall — Clique Socially Event Space LLC
A charming West Deptford venue providing personalized, hands-on care for intimate gatherings, baby showers, and birthdays.
Website: www.cliquesocially.com - Shakira Davis (Shekinah’Glory) — Heads In Beds LLC
High-quality short-term/mid-term housing solutions across the Tri-State area, alongside regional transportation services through Steel Point Enterprises.
Email: Theroyalsolutionllc@gmail.com - Giovanna Clifton — Giovonna Clifton LLC
Certified labor/postpartum doula and childbirth educator delivering a holistic, culturally competent model of care for families.
Website:https://www.gicliftondoula.com/ - Crystal Lewis & Barbara Hall-Bryant — I Say Yes Salon & Spa, LLC
A full-service Camden salon and spa with 14 years of experience delivering top-tier hair styling and holistic wellness therapies.
Website: www.isayyessalonandspa.com - Niger Ali — CannaGasm Wellness Group
A multi-specialty holistic wellness clinic offering functional lab work, telehealth, and in-person intimate maintenance sessions.
Website: www.cannagasmnj.com
The Alumni Initiative Network & How to Stay Involved
During the event, Jamila Powell (Program Director, WBC) highlighted the LAEDA Alumni Initiative Network—a structured space for graduates to stay connected, refer clients, and collaborate.
- Dear Alumni join the Facebook Group: Search for LAEDA Alumni Connections to promote your business and celebrate milestones.
- Refer an Entrepreneur: Know a business owner who needs training? Refer them to LAEDA!
- Continuing Education: LAEDA offers tuition-free seminars and intensive 72+ hour training programs with hands-on business planning.
Ready to Start or Grow Your Business?
- Website: www.laeda.com
- Phone: (856) 338-1177
- Social Media: @LAEDA1987
We aren’t just building businesses—we are building a family where no dream has to grow alone!