BeeJay's Experience is the Latest Growth + Equity Fund Grant Recipient 

Bernard Washington enrolled in CenterState CEO’s Start It! Business Basics Class with the hope of refining and launching his food business, BeeJay’s Experience. After completing the class and creating a solid business plan, Washington enrolled in CenterState’s Up Start program, which helped him   formally launch his business and develop a sound initial operating structure.  

Washington secured grant funding in 2024 that allowed him to leave his prior job and invest in BeeJay’s Experience full time. BeeJay’s Experience, focused on Southern comfort cuisine, currently offers catering and “to go” meals out of the kitchen at Park Central Presbyterian Church in Downtown Syracuse.  

Washington is the latest recipient of a mini-grant through CenterState CEO’s Growth + Equity Fund (G+E Fund), a resource for entrepreneurs who are working closely with CenterState CEO’s small business development team or its partner organizations. The individuals utilizing the G + E Fund may have developed strong plans for starting their own business, but don’t have access to traditional sources of capital due to historical and societal barriers, the Growth + Equity Fund can be utilized to help them reach their goals. Through the CenterState CEO Foundation, the G+E Fund has distributed more than $488,000 in grant and loan funding to date, helping people from historically underserved communities access the financing they need for success. 

The Growth + Equity Fund is not possible without the support of donors like John Peter, owner of Peter’s Discount Liquor. As a founding contributor to the Fund, Peter has gifted thousands of dollars through the CenterState CEO Foundation to help other small business owners. His most recent gift enabled the mini-grant to Washington and BeeJay’s Experience. 

“It's an honor to support BeeJay's Experience and other local entrepreneurs through the Growth + Equity Fund,” Peter said. “In my time meeting Bernard, I was very impressed with his story and drive to follow his dreams of having his own business. I'm thrilled that my donation to CenterState CEO Foundation can help Bernard along the way. Just happy to give back and do what I can.”  

With his first donation made in 2021, Peter’s commitment enables more members of the community to build vibrant small businesses in Syracuse and create generational wealth for their families.

Learn more about the CenterState CEO Foundation and how to get involved.