JEFF LINDOR

Born in Haiti, raised in a public housing development in Brooklyn, NY. Jeff Lindor is dedicating his life to finding innovating solutions that aims to break the barriers of success and enhance the lives of boys & men of color in today’s world.

In addition to starting The Gentlemen’s Factory, Jeff is also the Founder of GroomedSuccess, Inc., a consulting firm that contracts with Government Agencies, Non-Profits, Universities and Foundations to provide, academic, social, and college and career professional development services to boys & men of color.

Jeff's prior experience includes, serving as the Strategic Advisor to Law Enforcement Executives in New York City, Adjunct Lecturer at The City University of New York, and working as a Communications Strategist for a major health care company during the initial roll out of The Affordable Care Act.

Jeff earned his Masters Degree in Urban Policy from The New School and his Bachelors of Science from The City University of New York. He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and two children.

HANIF RUSSELL

Hanif Russell is a serial entrepreneur with a passion to help entrepreneurs find what they are good at and build a successful business out of it. He is the Co-founder of Caribbean Business Connections (CBC) which is a business networking organization that was created to help Caribbean business owners and professionals understand the importance of networking in order to grow their business. CBC also facilitates business connections and relationships in the US and parts of the Caribbean for the past 10 years. Hanif is also the owner of Caribbean Connections Media, which helps small and large corporations with their advertising and marketing needs to the Caribbean Diaspora via radio on 93.5fm with over 2.5 million listeners, Caribbean social media marketing and much more. Lastly, Hanif is the founder of Faith Grind Ministries, a ministry for entrepreneurs of faith to identify their gift, talents and abilities and to study biblical principles that applies to their business. The principle that he stands on is found in Luke 2:49 (NKJV) And He said to them, Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? Hanif believes we are all called to be about our fathers business.

Hanif is blessed to have the love and support from his 2 daughters and his better half Jennifer which are always by his side.

GARNETT PHILLIP

Garnett is a forward-thinking entrepreneur, business strategist, and powerhouse. She brings 15+ years of extensive business operations experience breaking through and elevating entrepreneurship to another level. She is recognized as a thriving Ethiopian-Trinidadian self-made woman and an expert in transforming vision into reality. She demonstrates a proven track record of success developing a platform of expression speaking not only to New York City but, especially to the Caribbean people who contribute to the city’s growth every single day delivering remarkable gains in a rapidly evolving environment.

In 2015, Garnett served as the co-owner of “Brooklyn Celebrity”, a lifestyle brand developed to celebrate Brooklyn pride. From 2015 to 2021, Garnett functioned as the Director of Operations at B Cake NY, a custom cake design studio filled with artists and designers. In 2020, Garnett opened “The Rogers Garden”, a rum bar located in the prestigious heart of Flatbush Brooklyn. Garnett serves as the Chief Executive Officer, Founder, and co-owner of the relaxing-atmosphere location infused with island vibes offering rums from across the Caribbean and South America.

Camille Hastick 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.  Camille is a seasoned professional who has amassed an array of skills with a proven ability to be a strategic thinker, create solutions and lend a hand to motivate others to be the best that they can be.

As a proud NYU graduate, she has served in various industries including over 15 years at the Bank of New York Mellon, subsequently at NYC Department of Small Business Services and for a short while she was also employed at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce as Vice President of Programs and Services/Chief of Staff.  She sits on the Brooklyn Navy Yard Board and is currently employed at the Office of the State Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli as the Brooklyn Regional Director. Her territory covers 2-7 million people in the borough.  

She is also a Minority Woman Business owner and Entrepreneur leading a management consultant business, Camille Hastick Consulting, which focuses on small business owners in the not for profit and private business sectors across industries helping businesses build capacity and scale up to the next level.   

NICOLE GRIMES

Dr. Nicole Grimes is a proud Trinidad born native now residing in New York City. A former NYC high school principal, she is an accomplished and award-winning author, former university professor, STEM educator and education consultant for ~20 years working across public, private & university sectors. In 2018, she become a full time consultant and entrepreneur.

Her passion for Caribbean culture and supporting her colleagues led her to firstly starting Carib Biz Network as a passion project in 2019. Over time, CBN grew organically, day-by-day slowly building its platform, establishing itself as a legal business development entity constantly finding ways to serve Caribbean freelancers, small business owners and those aspiring to join the entrepreneurial world. Under her leadership, CBN has grown into a blossoming community of makers where education, advocacy and impact are guiding core values.