We had the good fortune of connecting with Canieria Gardner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Canieria, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Successful entrepreneurs need to be calculated risk takers, without it, there could be no reward. Innovation thrives in calculated risks, it’s fundamental to sound investing. Being able to manage calculated risks has been necessary in the growth of my business, it allows me to be creative and ahead of my competitors.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Incubate Neighborhood Center (INC) is a non-profit organization designed to revitalize distressed communities of color through a community hub model that implements our multi-generational entrepreneurial, and home-ownership programs. These programs often result in building community wealth and its residents reaching economic self-sufficiency.

Statistically, a low-income person of color will experience multiple social injustices which increases the barriers to exiting generational poverty. This makes it difficult for residents and minority-owned businesses to achieve success. Strategically targeting areas of entrepreneurship, job creation, homeownership, and financial independence will revitalize this economically deprived community and build wealth from within. We believe that social injustices and poverty are not permanent, and a person’s current circumstances do not define their future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was coming to visit me for a week, I will take her to some of my favorite spots in Florida. We will spend the first 2 days in Key West, doing fun activities, like swimming with the Dolphins, scuba diving, and relaxing on the beach. We will enjoy dancing and seafood at night. Then we are off to Orlando for three days to enjoy the theme parks, swimming in the caves, go-karts racing, art walks and listening to jazz. The last two days we will spend in the beautiful Fort Pierce beachfront community, where we will catch a show at the historic Sunrise Theater, riding scoters and throwing axes downtown. We will also enjoy going to Church and visiting our families in nearby Vero Beach, where we will enjoy delicious cuisine at Costa D’ Este. However, before she leaves, I will take her to visit our 26,000 sq ft INC facility, which is an historic location in our city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My grandmother, Odessa Clark, the strongest women, I ever known, and my 12th grade English Teacher, Mrs. Steinman. Her class is where she poured into her students and the lessons learned, I still cherish to this day.

Website: www.incbiz.org

Linkedin: Canieria Gardner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myincbiz/

Youtube: Incubate Neighborhood Center

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.