HL | Milestone Series – Honors Saraciea J. Fennell

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Saraciea J. Fennell

May 14, 2026 | Milestone

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Saraciea J. Fennell

Building Community Through Storytelling, Books, and Literary Advocacy

Saraciea J. Fennell has transformed her love of books and storytelling into a powerful movement that celebrates culture, elevates underrepresented voices, and creates opportunities for writers and readers throughout the Bronx and beyond.

A Brooklyn-born, Bronx-raised Black Honduran American writer, editor, and publicist, Saraciea is the founder of The Bronx is Reading and Honduran Garifuna Writers. Through her work, she has created spaces where Black and Latine stories are not only shared, but championed.

Saraciea J. Fennell will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Her milestone is defined by creating platforms that expand access to literature, foster cultural pride, and help emerging writers find their path to publication.

Through The Bronx Book Festival, now celebrating its ninth year, Saraciea has helped distribute more than 6,000 free books to members of the Bronx community while connecting aspiring writers with editors, agents, and publishing professionals. Those efforts have already helped several Bronx writers secure book deals with major publishers.

As an award-winning editor, Saraciea has shaped nationally recognized anthologies including The Black Girl Survives in This One and Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed. Her writing and editorial work has appeared in LatinaMediaCo, Refinery29, Mitú, and The Washington Post.

Her work continues to demonstrate that storytelling is more than an art form—it is a tool for representation, empowerment, and lasting community impact.

Milestone Moments

  • Award-winning writer, editor, and publicist
  • Founder of The Bronx is Reading and The Bronx Book Festival
  • Celebrating nine years of the Bronx Book Festival
  • Helped provide more than 6,000 free books to the Bronx community
  • Connected emerging writers with publishing professionals, leading to multiple major publishing deals
  • Editor of The Black Girl Survives in This One and Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed

Saraciea J. Fennell’s leadership reflects the power of storytelling to build community, amplify voices, and create opportunities for future generations.

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.

HL | Milestone Series – Honors The Brinn Group

HL | Milestone Series – Honors The Brinn Group

May 12, 2026 | Milestone

HL | Milestone Series – Honors The Brinn Group

Building the Relationships That Move Communities Forward

For more than three decades, The Brinn Group has helped organizations navigate the complex intersection of business, government, and community engagement across the New York metropolitan area.

Led by Fernando Brinn, the firm has earned a reputation for bringing together the right stakeholders to move important projects forward—whether supporting a real estate development, expanding a business initiative, or helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their impact.

The Brinn Group will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Fernando Brinn’s milestone is defined by his ability to build trust, create meaningful partnerships, and guide clients through the public affairs and community relations process with credibility and strategic insight.

Fernando L. Brinn

The Brinn Group specializes in:

  • Community and stakeholder engagement
  • Government and public affairs strategy
  • Coalition building
  • Grassroots advocacy
  • Strategic communications
  • Business development consulting

From neighborhood-based nonprofits to major corporate and development projects, the firm provides clients with the relationships and strategic guidance needed to achieve results while maintaining strong community ties.

Throughout his career, Fernando Brinn has demonstrated that influence is built on relationships, credibility, and a genuine understanding of how communities and institutions work together.

As CEO of The Brinn Group, he continues to help shape projects and initiatives that contribute to economic development and long-term community growth throughout New York City and beyond.

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Elizabeth C. Yeampierre

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Elizabeth C. Yeampierre

May 12, 2026 | Milestone

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Elizabeth C. Yeampierre

Advancing Climate Justice and Community-Led Solutions

Elizabeth C. Yeampierre has spent her career ensuring that frontline communities have a voice in shaping environmental policy and climate solutions.

As Executive Director of UPROSE, Brooklyn’s oldest Latino community-based organization, she has led transformative efforts to address environmental inequities while advocating for community-driven economic development, renewable energy, and climate resilience.

Elizabeth C. Yeampierre will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Her milestone is defined by a lifetime commitment to environmental and climate justice elevating the voices of historically underserved communities and helping ensure they are represented in policy discussions at the local, national, and global levels.

A nationally respected attorney and advocate, Yeampierre made history as the first Latina to serve as Chair of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. In that role, she helped shape federal conversations on environmental justice and equitable climate policy.

She also founded the NYC Climate Justice Youth Summit, creating a platform that empowers young people to engage directly in the climate movement and become the next generation of leaders.

Through her work with UPROSE and her broader advocacy, Elizabeth C. Yeampierre continues to demonstrate that effective leadership begins with listening to the community and building solutions rooted in justice, sustainability, and long-term impact.

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.

HL | Milestone Series – Honors NAWBO NYC

HL | Milestone Series – Honors NAWBO NYC

May 9, 2026 | Milestone

HL | Milestone Series – Honors NAWBO NYC

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs and Expanding Economic Opportunity

For nearly five decades, the National Association of Women Business Owners has served as one of the nation’s most influential advocates for women entrepreneurs. Its New York City chapter, NAWBO NYC, continues that legacy by supporting women business owners across one of the most competitive and dynamic markets in the world.

NAWBO NYC’s milestone is defined by its unwavering commitment to helping women entrepreneurs build stronger companies, expand their networks, and gain access to the resources needed to grow and thrive.

NAWBO NYC will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Through educational programming, strategic networking, mentorship, and public policy advocacy, the organization provides women business owners with practical tools and meaningful connections. Its members represent a wide range of industries, including professional services, technology, finance, healthcare, creative industries, and consumer businesses.

Beyond individual business success, NAWBO NYC plays a critical role in advancing the broader conversation around women’s economic leadership. The organization creates opportunities for members to connect with corporate partners, government agencies, and fellow entrepreneurs while championing policies that foster entrepreneurship and economic inclusion.

In a city defined by innovation, resilience, and ambition, NAWBO NYC continues to provide a powerful platform where women entrepreneurs can learn, collaborate, and lead.

At the 2026 HL | Milestone Series – New York, we are proud to recognize NAWBO NYC for its enduring contribution to entrepreneurship and for helping shape a stronger and more inclusive business community.

Milestone Highlights

  • Supports women business owners through education, mentorship, and strategic networking.
  • Connects entrepreneurs with corporate partners, procurement opportunities, and community resources.
  • Advocates for policies that strengthen women-owned businesses.
  • Builds a collaborative community of accomplished women entrepreneurs across New York City.
  • Helps expand economic opportunity through leadership and business development.

Website: NAWBO NYC

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.

Westchester County: Where Wealth, Access, and Influence Continue to Shape the Future

Westchester County: Where Wealth, Access, and Influence Continue to Shape the Future

May 7, 2026 | Business

Westchester County: Where Wealth, Access, and Influence Continue to Shape the Future

by Richard Sandoval, for HL and Home, Tu Casa

For generations, Westchester County has represented a unique intersection of wealth, proximity, education, and influence.

Located just north of New York City, Westchester has long attracted corporate executives, entrepreneurs, financial professionals, healthcare leaders, athletes, entertainers, and an increasingly influential multicultural professional class seeking both opportunity and quality of life.

Today, the county continues to evolve not simply as a suburban extension of Manhattan, but as a powerful economic region in its own right.

For HL, Westchester represents more than affluence. It reflects a broader conversation about access, ownership, generational opportunity, and how communities continue redefining influence in one of the nation’s most competitive economic corridors.

A County Built on Access

One of Westchester County’s greatest assets has always been location.

Residents can access Manhattan by rail in under an hour while maintaining proximity to some of the Northeast’s most desirable residential communities. Over time, that accessibility helped fuel a concentration of wealth tied to finance, law, healthcare, media, technology, and corporate leadership.

Communities such as Scarsdale, Rye, Bronxville, White Plains, and New Rochelle have become synonymous with strong school systems, real estate stability, professional networks, and long-term investment potential.

At the same time, Westchester’s economic story continues expanding beyond traditional perceptions of wealth.

A growing number of Latino professionals, entrepreneurs, healthcare executives, small business owners, and civic leaders are helping reshape the county’s business and cultural landscape building companies, purchasing homes, supporting educational advancement, and creating pathways for future generations.

Westchester County by the Numbers (2025–2026)

  • Median Household Income
    $118,976
    Among the highest median household incomes in New York State.
  • Per Capita Income
    $72,705
    Reflecting the county’s concentration of high-earning professional households.
  • Median Single-Family Home Price (2025)
    $985,000
    Up approximately 6.5% year-over-year.
  • Average Single-Family Home Price
    $1.31 Million
    Demonstrating continued strength in the luxury and executive housing markets.
  • Residential Real Estate Sales Volume
    More than $6.3 Billion
    Westchester residential sales volume increased over 10% in 2025.
  • Number of Households
    Approximately 373,000 households
    Supporting a large, affluent suburban economy tied to New York City.

Real Estate Remains Central to Generational Wealth

Like many affluent regions across the United States, real estate continues to play a defining role in wealth creation throughout Westchester County.

Homeownership in established communities has historically provided families with long-term equity growth, financial stability, and intergenerational opportunity. Even amid changing market conditions, Westchester real estate remains among the most competitive in the region.

For many families, ownership is not simply about property value it represents stability, education access, business leverage, retirement planning, and legacy building.

That conversation increasingly resonates with younger professionals and first-generation homeowners seeking to establish long-term roots while remaining connected to New York City’s economic ecosystem.

As housing inventory, interest rates, and affordability continue shaping national conversations, Westchester remains an important case study in how location, infrastructure, and community investment influence long-term value.

The Evolution of Influence

The image of Westchester County is also evolving.

Today’s leadership community reflects a wider range of voices and experiences across business, media, healthcare, education, public service, and entrepreneurship.

Professionals who once viewed Westchester primarily as a commuter destination are increasingly investing directly into the region’s business ecosystem launching companies, opening offices, supporting nonprofits, and participating in civic and cultural initiatives.

That evolution mirrors a broader national trend:
Influence is no longer defined solely by title or institution. It is increasingly measured by visibility, access, collaboration, and the ability to create opportunity for others.

For HL, that perspective aligns directly with the ongoing conversations surrounding culture, leadership, business growth, and community impact.

Why Westchester Matters to HL

For more than 30 years, HL has documented the stories of leaders, entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities shaping culture and influence across the country.

Westchester County represents an important part of that conversation.

Its proximity to New York City, concentration of professional talent, evolving demographic landscape, and long-standing connection to finance, media, healthcare, and education make it one of the most influential regions in the Northeast.

As HL continues expanding its presence in the New York market through the HL | Milestone Series, the county offers important insight into how wealth, leadership, and community continue to evolve together.

The future of influence in America will not be defined by a single city or industry.

It will be shaped in communities like Westchester  where access, ambition, culture, and long-term investment continue to intersect in real time.

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