A place-based organization such as the Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable plays a unique and powerful role in shaping our local sustainability landscape. By creating opportunities like the Sustainable Business Summit, we bring together changemakers from across industries and communities to spark learning, share ideas, and build lasting connections. Our work is rooted in Western New York, designed for the challenges and opportunities of this region, and driven by the belief that local collaboration fuels meaningful progress. Through partnerships with community leaders, small business owners, and major employers, we help ensure that diverse voices are not only heard but engaged in building a more sustainable future. In this blog post, we highlight one example of how that vision comes to life and the ripple effects it has had for entrepreneurs, community partners, and some of the region’s most influential companies.
Connecting Diverse Voices in Sustainability
In 2024, we collaborated with Faustenia L. Morrow and her business, Monarch of Infinite Possibilities (MIP), to develop a session for our Sustainable Business Summit. MIP, a partner alongside SBR in the WNY Clean Energy Hub, was brought in for Faustenia’s incredible ability to authentically engage diverse voices in community-centered sustainability work.
Faustenia L. Morrow with panelists.
The panel brought together an eclectic mix of expertise and perspectives. Faustenia L. Morrow, lent her deep commitment to creating authentic, community-centered sustainability connections. Rev. Robert J. Lowe, Th.D, Pastor-Teacher at New Beginnings COGIC, focused on engaging the faith-based community in sustainability. Jada Ivey, CEO of XII XXI, introduced innovative ideas from the sustainable fashion arena, while Romone Anderson, Owner of Food Experience LLC, shared insights from the perspective of a chef and food-service business owner.
Panelists Rev. Robert J. Lowe, Jada Ivey, and Romone Anderson
“I’ve been in the environmental field since 2003, and one thing I’ve learned in that 20+ years is that there are voices that are missing from the conversation,” said Faustenia. From that reflection, a powerful panel session was born.
This panel didn’t just showcase diverse perspectives on sustainability, it created a dynamic exchange. After hearing from each panelist, attendees broke out into small groups to work directly with them. The goal? To share insights, identify support, and spark new collaborations around sustainability challenges and solutions.
Jada Ivey, one of the panelists and the founder of a sustainable clothing brand XII XXI reflected on the experience:
“It’s very important to have a voice on eco-friendly clothing and how we are taking care of our clothing. The goal was to let attendees know how to be sustainable with their clothing and how to purpose it the right way!”
For Faustenia, the session was a way to both amplify diverse voices and ensure those voices had direct access to sustainability leaders and decision-makers who could help them take the next step.
When considering the barriers these panelists face in growing their initiatives, Faustenia said, “Access. Let’s connect them and have them interact directly with change agents.”
Summit attendees engaging with panelist Chef Ramone
Whether it was Chef Ramone, who’s navigating food insecurity and the cost of sustainable packaging, or Jada, looking to scale her clothing line, this session gave them a seat at the table.
“It was amazing to see the synergy after each panelist spoke and we broke up into groups,” Faustenia shared. “It was a beautiful symphony of voices. It was a dream, watching that unfold.”
Collaboration in Action
When we reconnected with Faustenia and Jada to reflect on their experience, they had exciting updates about the connections sparked at the Summit.
“I was gifted the idea to create a denim drive,” Jada shared. “I have currently created two denim drives from individuals from the conference!”
One of those partnerships came from SBR member business Delaware North. After attending the Summit, they invited Jada and Faustenia to speak at their Black History Month event. Their Black Employee Network (BEN) organized a denim drive for Jada’s brand, collecting 92 pounds of denim to be upcycled into fashionable streetwear.
Also in the audience at the panel were several local faith leaders. Inspired by the conversation, a local Imam organized a clothing drive with his congregation, collecting materials for a local nonprofit.
Summit attendees in conversation with Rev. Robert J. Lowe.
Meanwhile, Chef Ramone was connected to the Small Business Center at Buffalo State to support the growth of his catering business.
The impact didn’t stop there, impressed by the panel’s experience and insight, the entire group was invited to speak at UB’s Leadership Now Conference, hosted by the Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness (CLOE) on April 23.
Continuing the Conversation
When asked what advice they’d give to businesses seeking to support and authentically amplify Black leadership in sustainability, both Faustenia and Jada emphasized the importance of intentional connection and genuine support.
Faustenia’s advice:
Start by identifying the people you dream of working with. Then, find a trusted connector in the community, and lead with impact. First, ask, ” How can I make an impact, and support the business? Instead of asking the business to do something for free?”
That impact can be as simple as sharing knowledge or offering access to networks and resources that help others reach their goals. But always, she cautions:
“Don’t assume to know what the needs are. ASK what they need.”
Jada agrees:
“Find out how you can help. Every Black-owned business has a mission and always loves to collaborate. With XII XXI, I am always looking for denim donations of any sort.”
What’s Next
The full panel from the Summit will speak at UB’s CLOE Leadership Now Conference on April 23rd, alongside sustainability leaders from SBR member businesses including the University at Buffalo, Delaware North, Moog, Rich Products, M&T Bank, CleanCapital, and National Grid.
Faustenia and MoIP will also be participating in the Masten District Clean-Up on April 26th, joined by other SBR members in service to our community.
Jada continues to grow her impact through her brand, XII XXI. Her denim accessories are now available at ShopCraft on Elmwood, and she’s hosting workshops at Buffalo Public Schools, Roswell Park, and Delaware North. She’s also working with Stitch Buffalo on her Spring/Summer 2025 collection to expand her reach and scale initiatives. Catch her at her next pop-up at the AKG Museum on May 17th, from 10 AM to 4 PM. You can follow along with her work at stylesbyjadamarie.net.
Empowering Change and Connection
SBR and the Sustainable Business Summit not only showcased inspiring voices and ideas from across Western New York, it ignited a wave of collaborative energy and concrete action. By bringing together leaders from diverse sectors, the event has paved the way for ongoing partnerships and meaningful change in our community. We look forward to seeing how these conversations continue to drive sustainability and innovation, and we invite you to join us in shaping a more inclusive, environmentally responsible future.