Collab

Meet Zoey Cigar-Hodge, the visionary behind Pup Pizza Dog Bakery, where pizza night includes every family member—even the four-legged ones! As a lifelong dog lover and New Haven County resident, Zoey adopted her pup Hazel in 2018 and quickly fell in love with the city’s iconic pizza. Not wanting Hazel to feel left out, she was inspired to create a dog-friendly pizza treat—and just like that, Pup Pizza Dog Bakery was born! Now, Zoey crafts delicious, locally made, and pup-approved treats so every dog can enjoy a slice of the fun. As a recent graduate of the CitySeed and Collab Food Business Accelerator, she’s on a mission to bring wholesome, tail-wagging joy to dogs everywhere. Because every pup deserves a pizza night! ???? #PupPizzaDogBakery #PizzaForPups #COLLABAlumni

Meet Terese, founder and chef of Morsel Dumplings, where tradition meets innovation in every bite. Growing up in a home filled with the rich aromas of homemade dumplings, she learned the artistry of crafting wontons, baos, and sticky rice dumplings from her grandmothers. When her family emigrated from Hong Kong, she longed for the same quality and flavors they once enjoyed—so she set out to create them herself. At Morsel Dumplings, Teresa takes inspiration from global cuisines, blending bold flavors with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. ??? #MorselDumplings #COLLABAlumni #WomenInFood

Meet Shakeema Romero, founder of Suga & Spice Me, a cottage food business based in Bridgeport, CT, specializing in natural spice blends, organic teas, and vegan baked goods. Inspired by her own transition to veganism and the lack of delicious dairy-free treats, she launched her business in 2021, blending her love for Caribbean flavors with her passion for health-conscious cooking. With over 15 years in the culinary industry and a background in public health, Shakeema brings a unique expertise to her craft, ensuring every product meets the highest standards of quality, nutrition, and taste. Her journey—from fast food kitchens to catering and entrepreneurship—has shaped her ability to create flavorful, wholesome options while building community connections through food. Suga & Spice Me continues to grow, offering both vegan and non-vegan treats that make every bite a celebration of flavor and culture. ??? #SugaAndSpiceMe #WHM #COLLABALUMNI

Meet Kimberly Cruz-Lopez—a mother, wife, and proud Bridgeport native—who turned her personal healing journey into a movement of empowerment. As the founder of Ever Connecting, she created a space where women can find strength in faith, storytelling, and sisterhood. What started as a simple gathering has grown into a powerful community, helping women heal, advocate for themselves, and build meaningful connections. With a deep commitment to trauma-informed support and collective growth, Kimberly continues to uplift and inspire, proving that healing is not only possible but transformative.??? #EverConnecting #WomensHistoryMonth #COLLABAlumni

Meet Alyssa D. Cruz—a Bridgeport native, doctoral student, and creative visionary dedicated to storytelling, education, and design. Guided by a passion for connection and authenticity, she explores the human experience through photography, web design, and lifelong learning. As the founder of April Dreams LLC, Alyssa has transformed a childhood passion for graphic design into a growing creative venture. What began with a simple invitation design at 15 has evolved into a brand that blends art, education, and storytelling to make a lasting impact. Originally focused on branding and promotional materials for small businesses, April Dreams LLC has expanded into e-learning development and instructional design, reflecting a commitment to meaningful communication and visual storytelling. Through her work, Alyssa continues to push creative boundaries, empowering individuals and businesses with designs that inspire and educate. ??? #AprilDreamsLLC #CreativeStorytelling #COLLABAlumni

Meet Maya McFadden, founder of The Kids Newsroom, a dynamic initiative building a coalition of young writers in New Haven, CT. Focused on career and community readiness, this program equips students with hands-on training in journalism while connecting them to pressing local issues and career pathways. Raised in Fair Haven, Maya is a dedicated community journalist passionate about education, social justice, grassroots leadership, and neighborhood stewardship. Through The Kids Newsroom, she is empowering the next generation to amplify their voices, engage with their communities, and develop the skills needed for future success.??? #TheKidsNewsroom #YoungVoicesMatter #CommunityJournalism #COLLABAlumni

Meet Chef Kismet Douglass, the powerhouse behind Momma Kiss Kitchen and the Momma Kiss Foodie Klub! ???? A New Haven native, Chef Kismet has been cooking with love her whole life, blending soulful flavors with fresh, health-conscious ingredients. Through catering, intimate dining experiences, and her Foodie Klub, she’s building a community around food, culture, and connection. Follow her journey and taste the love in every bite! ?? #MommaKissKitchen #MommaKissFoodieKlub #FoodWithLove #ChefKismet #WHM

Dr. Jehu Leconte is the co-founder of R3connect At The Workplace. With a deep commitment to guiding organizations through economic challenges, he delivers innovative consulting and coaching solutions that empower professionals and businesses to thrive.??? Through R3connect, Dr. Leconte has played a key role in transforming workplace cultures by equipping leaders with the essential tools for impactful leadership and sustainable growth. His dedication to excellence and strategic support has helped businesses navigate complex challenges, fostering resilience and long-term success.

In honor of Black History Month, we’re celebrating the incredible Kimberly, the owner and founder of More Amour Boutique! ??? A Baltimore native, Kimberly’s journey began in project management, but her true passion has always been fashion and self-expression. With More Amour Boutique, she’s on a mission to inspire confidence and empower people to embrace their unique style while fearlessly chasing their happiness. More than just fashion, Kimberly’s boutique is a movement—blending style with empowerment to help others feel bold, stylish, and unapologetically themselves. ????

?Join Us for the Food Business Accelerator Graduation? Come celebrate the hard work and achievements of our Food Business Accelerator graduates. These entrepreneurs have spent months refining their businesses, and now it’s time to showcase their talents, resilience, and incredible food. ?? Wednesday, March 26th ? 6:00 - 8:00 PM ?? CitySeed HQ | 162 James Street, New Haven, CT 06513 Enjoy free food and samples, connect with local entrepreneurs, and be part of an inspiring evening supporting small business success. ?? Register now (link in bio) Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible, Santander Bank, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Atticus Market, Chabaso Bakery, and the Women’s Business Development Council. Spread the word and invite your networks—this event is free and open to all. #FoodBusinessAccelerator #SupportLocal #Entrepreneurship #CommunityImpact