In a city with an annual budget of $115 billion, including over $30 billion allocated to the Department of Education (DOE), it\u2019s remarkable\u2014and concerning\u2014that Black-owned businesses secure under 1% of municipal contracts. This isn\u2019t merely a gap; it\u2019s a deep-rooted structural shortcoming that curtails economic opportunities for communities of color.
\nHowever, in East New York, one Black-owned establishment shows what achievement can be and why representation counts.<\/p>\n
A Mission Centered on Community and Value
\nAndrew Walcott, an East New York native and Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, as well as a U.S. military veteran, licensed CPA, and attorney, founded Fusion East to be more than a Caribbean and soul food restaurant. It stands as a purpose-driven operation serving local families with quality, fairness, and rich flavor. Walcott started Fusion East to deliver \u201creal meals at real prices.\u201d In October 2025, the business will celebrate its milestone tenth anniversary.
\nNow, Fusion East is trusted by schools citywide\u2014not due to a large DOE contract, but as a certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) vendor, handpicked by individual school administrators.<\/p>\n
Preferred by Schools Across NYC
\nFusion East\u2019s MWBE certification allows public schools in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens to order catering directly. From daily staff meals to student lunches and events, Fusion East\u2019s reputation grows school by school.
\nThe signature $5 Real Meal\u2014packed with vegetables, protein, and bold flavor\u2014is now a fixture in numerous classrooms and cafeterias. Serving over 1,600 schools and nearly a million students, Fusion East\u2019s rising popularity attests to the need for affordable, healthy, and culturally relevant menus.
\nDespite $745,000 in DOE-related orders last year, this only equals 0.0025% of the DOE\u2019s overall budget, showcasing how much further the city must go toward equity. To truly advance, New York needs thousands more vendors like Fusion East stepping up for their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Deep Brooklyn Roots, Citywide Reach
\nFusion East\u2019s strength lies not just in its menu, but its mission. Walcott\u2019s lifelong ties to East New York\u2014and experience on the community board\u2014inform his hands-on approach, from local hiring to mentorship.
\nHe regularly hosts student groups for kitchen tours and entrepreneurship workshops, recently returning to his old middle school to motivate with stories of diligence and vision.<\/p>\n
A Versatile, Youth-Friendly Catering Model
\nBeyond traditional catering, Fusion East offers a mobile food service with youth in mind. Its $5 Real Meal and the “Fun Meal” for younger children, featuring grilled chicken, sweet plantains, a fruit medley, and drink in lively packaging, are boxed individually for easy handling in schools.
\nTheir food trucks also cater to outdoor school activities, community churches, and nonprofit events citywide.<\/p>\n
Growing to Meet Opportunity
\nAs more schools discover Fusion East, Walcott expands his team to match surging demand. \u201cThe backing from principals, parents, and staff has been phenomenal,\u201d Walcott noted. \u201cWe have a reputation for value and quality, and our journey alongside the schools is truly rewarding.\u201d
\nFusion East does more than serve meals. It forges connections, creates jobs, and exemplifies how Black-owned MWBEs can grow via consistent service.
\nThey are also the exclusive Caribbean caterer for Prospect Park\u2019s Picnic House, stretching their impact far beyond East New York.<\/p>\n
A Blueprint for Equity
\nFusion East\u2019s success demonstrates how equity is achieved when agencies and schools break away from established vendors and give quality MWBEs a chance. Despite city pledges, Black-owned enterprises remain vastly underrepresented in contract awards, making the Fusion East story vital and timely.
\nTrue equity means helping create more stories like Fusion East\u2019s, offering community-grown businesses real opportunity.<\/p>\n