Bill Lynch Associates Hosts Inaugural "Uptown Power Breakfast" at Harlem's Chocolat

Harlem's celebrated Chocolat Restaurant was the venue for the debut of a new and exciting networking concept, the "Uptown Power Breakfast." The invitation-only event was hosted by Bill Lynch Associates, and was filled to capacity. Its purpose is to expose young people to leaders in business, politics, and other industries, and to encourage them to become leaders in their communities. Professionals from Harlem and beyond were treated to the inspirational words of Barnes & Noble Chairman and Founder Leonard Riggio.

Mr. Riggio detailed his meteoric rise from running a single college bookstore to one of the largest companies in the history of retail. He also talked about the prejudice and stereotypes he faced as an Italian American, and the connection he feels with communities of color. Leonard Riggio has served on nearly two dozen not for profit boards. He funded the Riggio-Lynch Chapel at Haley Farm, a Children's Defense Fund Freedom School institution in Clinton, Tennessee. The chapel is named after Mr. Riggio and BLA's Bill Lynch.

Leonard Riggio also urged attendees to get politically involved and active. "We need you to get involved. We need you to lead. Leadership starts here," he said.

Bill Lynch and Leonard Riggio

BLA Chairman Bill Lynch was impressed with the turnout at this first Power Breakfast. "Harlem is a community on the move, economically, socially, and politically. We want to give young men and women the opportunity to get to know each other, and let them know that folks like Len Riggio and others in the business world care enough to come and speak to them. Leon Ellis' Chocolat was the perfect place to hold this gathering, the first of more to come," he said.

The breakfast was coordinated by the BLA team, led by Karen Torres. She said, "It was new and exciting. This was my first time coordinating an event like this. The preparation was hectic, but I enjoyed it. For me, it was about making sure Bill Lynch's vision for the breakfast became a reality."

The Uptown Power Breakfast looks to showcase not only the growing number of young professionals in the Harlem community, but the history and new excitement of Harlem itself. Plans for future Uptown Power Breakfasts are ongoing.