Four Local Creators and Entrepreneurs Each Receive a $30,000 Grant and Marketing Assets to Grow Their Business
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The New York Knicks and Squarespace, the website building and ecommerce platform, today announced the winners of the fifth annual “Make It Awards.” The program provides four tri-state area entrepreneurs and creators that are dedicated to helping their communities with the funds and exposure they need to elevate their businesses. The winners each receive a $30,000 grant, a one-year subscription for Squarespace, use of select Squarespace marketing inventory, including an annual Unfold Pro subscription, a feature segment on MSG Networks, and more.
The four winners this year are: Adapt Ability (Brooklyn, NY), Harlem Pilates (Harlem, NY), Legally BLK Fund (New York, NY) and COVERR (Queens, NY). Below are brief descriptions for each winner:
Adapt Ability is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides custom adaptive bicycles for children with special needs. Each bicycle is tailored to the child to provide mobility, a source of exercise, a therapeutic tool, and so that they can enjoy the simple pleasure of riding a bicycle. Adapt Ability bicycles are donated to families free of charge.
Harlem Pilates is the only Pilates studio in Harlem, and their focus is to make health and wellness accessible to diverse communities. To counter the lack of representation and diversity in the fitness industry, Harlem Pilates aims to create a safe space where everyone feels included, appreciated, respected, and celebrated on their wellness journey.
Legally BLK Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was launched in 2020. With Black women making up only 2% of attorneys in the United States, the Legally BLK Fund is dedicated to supporting aspiring Black women attorneys by providing them with resources and financial assistance.
COVERR provides financial services that are customized for the gig economy and empowers the workers to reach their highest earning potential by offering a better alternative to a credit card or loan by eliminating traditional barriers.
The $30,000 grant is inspired by the investment Squarespace Founder and CEO Anthony Casalena received from his parents to launch the company in 2003. The submission process, which began in January, called for applicants to provide details about their business, inspiration for becoming an entrepreneur, community ties, and a plan for how they would utilize the funds.
The judging panel this year consisted of MSG Networks sportscasters Rebecca Haarlow and Monica McNutt, last year’s recipient and First Tech Fund CEO & Co-Founder Josue De Paz, Jack Settleman of SnapBack Sports, and Photographer Andre Wagner. Additionally, Squarespace Founder and CEO Anthony Casalena returned as a judge for a fifth year.
About Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) (NYSE: MSGS) is a leading professional sports company, with a collection of assets that includes: the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL); two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and esports teams through Counter Logic Gaming, a leading North American esports organization, and Knicks Gaming, an NBA 2K League franchise. MSG Sports also operates two professional sports team performance centers – the MSG Training Center in Greenburgh, NY and the CLG Performance Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information is available at www.msgsports.com.
About Squarespace
Squarespace (NYSE: SQSP) is the all-in-one platform with everything to sell anything, providing entrepreneurs and creators in approximately 200 countries and territories with all the tools they need to sell physical products, digital content, classes, appointments, reservations and more. Powered by best-in-class design for a consistent brand experience across all touchpoints, our suite of fully integrated products enables anyone to manage their projects and businesses through websites, domains, ecommerce, marketing tools, and scheduling, along with tools for managing a social media presence with Unfold and hospitality business management via Tock. Squarespace’s team of more than 1,500 is headquartered in downtown New York City, with offices in Dublin, Ireland, Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California and Chicago, Illinois. For more information, visit www.squarespace.com.
Contacts
MSG Contact:
Leah Capobianco/212-631-5581
Squarespace Contact:
Ashley Calame/516-578-2014
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