Meet Antigua Middleton, Project Manager
A graduate of the urban studies master’s program at the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, and the architectural technology bachelor’s program from CUNY’s NYC College of Technology, Antigua Middleton, a Project Manager in NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES), has long been interested in public housing policy and development.
After working as a Professional Development Consultant, a Higher Education Financial Aid Advisor, and an Assistant Construction Project Manager, Ms. Middleton decided to leverage her education and experience for a position at NYCHA, where she currently serves as a liaison between aspiring and current NYCHA entrepreneurs and the organizations, resources, and services that NYCHA helps connect them with.
Since joining NYCHA in 2021, Ms. Middleton has become an integral part of the REES team. Among the many initiatives Ms. Middleton helps manage are the Food Business Pathways and the Childcare Business Pathways programs — two programs that help aspiring NYCHA entrepreneurs make their business dreams a reality.
Her Resident Business Development Orientations, which she hosts monthly, help identify aspiring resident entrepreneurs (known informally as NYCHApreneurs), provide information about REES services and resources, and connect NYCHApreneurs with REES partner organizations that can offer business development support.
The sessions help attendees refine their ideas for their businesses and often feature discussion and Q&As from partner organization representatives. The sessions also ensure that Ms. Middleton and the REES team are aware of the scope of residents’ business interests so they can provide all relevant support and assistance.
“I’m gauging which partner to connect them with,” Ms. Middleton explained. “We’re having conversations to determine which stage of entrepreneurship they are at.”
Ms. Middleton and her team partner with REES Zone Coordinators to raise awareness within the Zone Coordinators’ assigned developments about available workshops and training programs. “They’re like our feet on the ground,” she said. Graduates of the Business Pathways programs will also discuss their experiences about the programs and answer any questions.
Recently, Ms. Middleton helped lead the 10th cohort of the Food Business Pathways program, which equips NYCHA residents with the skills and certifications needed to become fully licensed food vendors. The program includes a final presentation and business idea pitch which can be used later to attract prospective investors for funding.
“It’s a full set-up to legitimize their businesses,” Ms. Middleton explained. “The end goal is for them to become registered businesses, to have their insurance in place, and their food handler’s certificate to enable them to join a commercial kitchen and grow their businesses. They’re walking out knowing exactly what will be expected of them as a food vendor within New York City.”
In 2021, Ms. Middleton spearheaded the launch of the successful Governors Island Food Business Pathways partnership. The initiative, which was carried out by NYCHA in conjunction with the Trust for Governors Island, gave select NYCHA food business vendors the opportunity to use a repurposed shipping container to sell their food on Governors Island during the summer months.
According to Shanna Castillo, Senior Director of Resident Initiatives, Ms. Middleton was “instrumental” in supporting that partnership.
Ms. Middleton is equally impressed by, and proud of, the transformation of the Childcare Business Pathways program, in which a group of aspiring home childcare providers completed a three-month, intensive business development program, receiving training and completing the required certifications and licensing for New York State childcare providers.
“With Childcare,” she notes, “just seeing attendees go from being undecided as to whether or not they could shift or pivot [into childcare], to seeing them get more comfortable with the idea that this could really be something—the idea that they could really leave their regular 9-to-5 and make a profitable business out of this.”
“A lot of them say, ‘I’m really looking forward to giving these kids the kind of education or after-schooling that I didn’t have,’” Ms. Middleton pointed out. “Just having them see that you can give back to your community; you can choose you and choose something that allows you to be more present for the people in your life, that also allows you to support yourself.”
“Antigua maintains close relationships with NYCHA residents,” Ms. Castillo said, “supporting them through their entrepreneurial journey by providing encouragement and resources to help them achieve their goals.”
Following up with graduates is an important step in this work and allows the team an opportunity to provide post-graduation assistance and guidance. It also allows Ms. Middleton the opportunity to identify potential vendors who could participate in the Meals Project, NYCHA’s initiative to provide cooked meals to residents whose gas was turned off temporarily to facilitate construction or repair work: “We contact vendors who have graduated from the food program to cater meals for those families.”
Going forward, Ms. Middleton has high hopes for the Business Pathways programs. For the Food Business Pathways program, she hopes to connect with additional incubator kitchens to offer more subsidized kitchen space for vendors to utilize. And she’s hoping to secure even more partner organizations to offer continuing education and a pathway for Childcare Business Pathways alum looking to expand into owning and operating a commercial daycare. She also hopes to have another Construction Business Pathways cohort.
Two years in, Ms. Middleton remains as excited as ever by her work.
“The most fulfilling part is seeing someone go from being a quiet attendee in an information session, to nervous and unsure of how to explain themselves in the interview, to see it all click for them and they’re like, ‘Oh my goodness, I’m really working towards building my business.’”
