Brooklyn's Progress
March 2004

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and its Minority & Women Business Owners Committee honored three remarkable Brooklyn entrepreneurs for their contributions to economic development of the borough during the organization’s Annual Black History Month Celebration.

During a reception held at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge on Feb. 25, Pauline Barfield, President, CEO and founder/owner of Barfield Public Relations, Inc.; Ludlow Beckett, Proprietor of Yú Interiors and Laura Goodwin, CEO of The Training Academy, were recognized.     

“Tonight we salute these remarkable Brooklynites who have not only contributed to the economic development of Brooklyn, but they have also had an overall positive impact in their careers and have gone beyond the expectations of a leader,” Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber, said.  “Pauline, Ludlow and Laura are visionary business people.  They understand the communities in which they work and live and the ways to leverage various relationships to bring resources to the community.”

Ms. Barfield is a force in bringing attention to economic development initiatives, such as Fulton FIRST, that spark revitalization in communities in Brooklyn as well as New York in general.  Her work in public and community relations spans the field of health care, government, construction, business development and the arts.  Dedicated to community service, Ms. Barfield serves on the Board of Directors of the Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and the Village Helpers.  She has actively participated in advancing the work of the American Heart Association of New York, Women In Need.

In addition to running Yú Interiors, an upscale home design store located in Fort Green, Mr. Beckett is also President of the Fulton Area Business Association.  In this capacity, he helps small businesses in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill identify economic development opportunities resulting from growth and development in the community.  He has been a leader in forming successful collaborations with stakeholders in the area including serving as an advisor to the Business Outreach Center Network, Pratt Area Community Council and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
 
Ms. Goodwin is the driving force behind The Training Academy, a full-service fitness club located in Clinton Hill.  She is also one of the very few African-American women in the country to own and operate her own gym.  Ms. Goodwin brings more than 15 years of fitness experience to The Training Academy, which she achieved by working with many of America’s most prestigious corporations.  A big part of Ms. Goodwin’s mission is to remain passionate about teaching people how to manage stress through exercise and meditation.  She is also a tireless advocate for educating the African-American and Latino communities about the importance of nutrition and exercise regiments that combat heart disease and high blood pressure, two common illnesses that impact a high proportion of these two populations.  Ms. Goodwin was listed in the Crain’s New York Business Special Report 40 Under 40.  She was the only Brooklynite included in the 2003 list of New York’s Rising Stars. 

Each year, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and its Minority and Women Business Owners Committee host a Black History Month Celebration to recognize the achievements of African-Americans.  Supporters for this year’s  event were Con Edison, KeySpan, National Allotment Insurance Agency and Verizon. 

The Chamber’s Minority and Women Business Owners Committee addresses the specific needs of minority and women business owners including procurement, networking and advocacy.  Antonia Yuille Williams, Con Edison and Samuel Dunston, National Allotment Insurance Agency, are co-chairs of the Committee.