6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Recap
independent
Ugly Talk: Small Fish, Big Pond
Photo gallery
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
About Event
Ambition is big, resources are tight, and the path rarely looks like a highlight reel. Building in 2026 means shipping through constraints, competing with legacy players, and carrying the emotional load that comes with long runways to traction. The founders who break through turn limits into lenses: they prioritize cleanly, pivot with intention, and cultivate communities that sustain the work between milestones. This conversation centers those in-between moments and turns them into a playbook.
Featured speakers.
Coralie Saint-Louis is a journalist-turned-tech entrepreneur with over a decade of experience across broadcast, print, and digital media. She founded Enpak, a certified MWBE media and technology company focused on strengthening local communities through strategic communications, digital marketing, and technology-driven engagement. Inspired by her commitment to credible local news and underrepresented voices, Coralie launched the Enpak app, a platform connecting residents to verified local news, events, and small business resources. As CEO, she blends storytelling, data, and software to combat misinformation, boost civic engagement, strengthen local economies, and help organizations build meaningful community connections across New York State.
Kiyeon Nam is an inventor, entrepreneur, and creative strategist based in New York. She is the founder of MESH, a human-centered technology company dedicated to protecting children, seniors, and vulnerable individuals through soft, wearable safety solutions seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Dr. Neva Helena Alexander is a TEDx Speaker, leadership development consultant, and international trainer with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is the Founder of Nevalliance, a certified MWBE leadership development company, and leads the Nevalliance Foundation, dedicated to women’s empowerment and community engagement. Since 2017, she has hosted the International Women’s Conference on Long Island, creating global experiences that help leaders and entrepreneurs grow with clarity, confidence, and strategy.
Dawn Kelly is a visionary entrepreneur, community advocate, and Founder & CEO of The Nourish Spot, a wellness café and juice bar rooted in Jamaica, Queens. A former corporate and nonprofit executive with over 30 years of experience, she transitioned from the C-suite to build a purpose-driven, family-owned business centered on health, culture, and economic empowerment. Dawn is a Howard University alumna, a trained journalist, and a multilingual storyteller. She serves on multiple civic and business boards and is widely recognized for championing small businesses, workforce development, and community-based wellness initiatives.
Who's hosting it.
Miya Jones is an award-winning journalist and media producer with over a decade of experience in storytelling across digital, broadcast, and branded media. She is the senior editor, content producer and executive producer of Shades of Long Island, a production company and media platform that creates high-impact commercials, sizzle reels, and video content for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations. Through Shades of Long Island, she leads creative strategy and production while also overseeing a news platform with 44,000+ monthly views. A Temple University journalism graduate, Miya has worked with News 12, Essence, Newsday, and The Latin Times, blending sharp editorial instincts with modern production storytelling.
Questions? Talk@UglyTalk.com
Location
Greater Nexus
89-14 Parsons Blvd.
New York