In celebration of Black History Month we are introducing female entrepreneurs who run companies in the educational sector in Brooklyn offering knowledge, fun and aspiration to our children.
Meet Niesha Butler, the founder of America’s first black woman-owned coding and robotics center for kids
Niesha Butler is a basketball player, software engineer and entrepreneur, the founder of S.T.E.A.M Champs in Downtown Brooklyn which is the first Black Woman-Owned Coding & Robotics Educational Center in the country.
Your work in one sentence: My number one job is to make sure our team supports our S.T.E.A.M. Champions in becoming the next STEAM professionals of the future!
More information about STEAM Champs: We are a kid’s S.T.E.A.M. educational center focusing on ages 5 – 12. We have classes in coding, robotics, chess, engineering, and art and run our programs like a gym where we teach building a champion mindset, foundational STEAM skills and teamwork all while having fun. In addition to our year-round monthly classes, we are adding STEAM EVENTS to our programming starting with a Science Show for kids ages 5 -12 on February 25th at 12pm and a Sports Tech program for girls ages 7 – 12 where we teach them how to play basketball and build and program robots. Check out www.SteamChamps.com for more information.
What you love about being an entrepreneur in Brooklyn: We are the first Afro-Latina-owned STEAM kids educational center in the Nation. As with any business and any founder, it’s scary starting but we have received tremendous support from the ENTIRE community and I am so grateful for that! Thanks, Brooklyn 🙂
Meet Porsha Putney, founder of Pixie Pods mobile enrichment studio for kids
Porsha Putney is the owner and founder of Pixie Pods, a mobile Black-owned creative activity center, serving Brooklyn with dance, music, acro and birthday classes. Some of their locations are Pinkyz Place and Treasure Trunk Theatre in Cobble Hill, Vita Wellness in Bed-Stuy and The Social BK in Prospect Heights.
Your job in one sentence: I’m a former professional dancer who runs a mobile enrichment studio for Kids Ages: 0-8!
More information about Pixie Pods: Pixie Pods is a mobile enrichment studio that provides dance, music, and acrobatic education and Birthday entertainment for the children (ages: 0-8) of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. We offer drop-in/semester classes, Birthday entertainment, camps, and Private lessons/POD classes. You also can find our highly-rated classes in daycares, preschools, and learning centers! Pixie Pods’ mission is to create a positive inclusive classroom free of the manipulation, shame, and fear that has unfortunately plagued the education industry for years. Our team focuses on child-led, progression-based learning for all unique abilities because when we allow students to learn because they love it, they thrive!
What’s new for your business: For the first year ever we are hosting Spring-break and Summer Camps in Brooklyn! Spots are very limited- Registration is now open!
What does it mean to you being a black business owner in Brooklyn: I feel very fortunate to be one of the few black-female business owners that specialize in Early childhood enrichment. Brooklyn is my favorite place I’ve ever lived! It means the world to me that I get to help develop the young minds of the most beautiful and cultural diverse places in the US. It’s a dream come true!
