In New York City, where the annual budget tops $115 billion\u2014including $30 billion via the Department of Education (DOE)\u2014it is astonishing that Black-owned businesses capture less than 1% of city contracts. This is not just a simple disparity; it\u2019s a chronic inequity that restricts economic growth in communities of color.
\nYet, in East New York, one Black-owned business is charting a new path and proving why inclusive prosperity matters.<\/p>\n
Community-Focused, Value-Driven
\nFounded by local East New Yorker Andrew Walcott, a Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, U.S. Army veteran, certified CPA, and attorney, Fusion East is much more than a Caribbean and soul food spot. It\u2019s a business with purpose\u2014serving local families with honesty, great value, and distinctive cuisine. Walcott created Fusion East to provide \u201creal meals at real prices.\u201d The restaurant will mark its tenth anniversary in October 2025.
\nFusion East has emerged as a leading school food vendor in NYC, not through a single DOE deal, but by operating as a certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) that individual principals select.<\/p>\n
Serving Schools Citywide
\nApproved as an MWBE vendor, Fusion East gives schools in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens the option to order their catering. From teacher meals to student lunches or special events, Fusion East has cultivated a loyal following one school at a time.
\nThe flagship $5 Real Meal\u2014complete with vegetables, protein, and savory flavors\u2014has become a lunchtime favorite. With over 1,600 schools and almost a million students in NYC, Fusion East\u2019s organic expansion reveals the rising appetite for healthy, affordable, and culturally authentic food.
\nDespite $745,000 in DOE contracts last year, this represents just 0.0025% of the DOE\u2019s total budget, showing just how much remains to be done. Real improvement means welcoming thousands more vendors like Fusion East to city contracting.<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Roots, Citywide Influence
\nFusion East is unique not just for its menu but its principles. Walcott\u2019s deep investment in East New York guides his hiring and outreach, reflecting his tenure as a local community board member.
\nWalcott often brings students into the restaurant for behind-the-scenes learning and business mentorship, inspiring them during visits to his former schools with stories of perseverance and focus.<\/p>\n
Kid-Friendly, Mobile Food Service
\nFusion East caters with a youth-oriented, flexible model. Alongside the $5 Real Meal, there\u2019s a “Fun Meal” for kids with grilled chicken, sweet plantains, assorted fruit, and a drink\u2014all in colorful packaging, individually boxed for schools.
\nFusion East\u2019s food trucks support outdoor events at schools, churches, and nonprofits throughout the city.<\/p>\n
Scaling Up for Growing Demand
\nFusion East\u2019s popularity is rising; Walcott has hired more staff and is planning further expansion. \u201cThe encouragement from school leaders, families, and staff has been overwhelming,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve earned respect for real meals and genuine value, and it\u2019s a privilege to grow with our schools.\u201d
\nFusion East is about more than food\u2014it\u2019s about creating jobs and showing what\u2019s possible for Black-owned MWBEs. They also serve as the exclusive Caribbean caterer at Prospect Park\u2019s Picnic House, demonstrating broader reach.<\/p>\n
An Equity Success Story
\nFusion East\u2019s journey demonstrates how equity goals can be realized when agencies and schools broaden their perspective and support MWBEs. With Black-owned businesses still drastically underrepresented, Fusion East offers a timely and powerful example.
\nIf New York City is truly committed to equity, it must increase opportunities for businesses like Fusion East.<\/p>\n