Level Up: Skill-Building Trainings are quarterly workshops hosted by The Lab at ConnCORP designed to help professionals of all kinds, including entrepreneurs, small business owners, and young professionals, sharpen the skills needed to be successful in business. From marketing to money management, The Level Up series dives into essential tools and strategies to help you effectively promote your business, streamline your marketing efforts, and enhance your online presence. These free, interactive trainings provide hands-on learning, practical takeaways, and expert guidance to help you level up your skills—no matter your experience level.

Register to attend HERE.

Social Media Management & Automation – July 29, 2025

Struggling to keep up with your business’s social media? Learn how to plan, schedule, and automate your content so you can maintain an active presence without spending hours online.

Topics Covered:
Best tools for scheduling posts (Meta Business Suite, Buffer, Later)
Creating a 30-day content plan
Analyzing insights & adjusting strategies for better engagement

Back-to-school season is around the corner, and we're making sure Newhallville and Dixwell kids start strong! Join us for our biggest community celebration of the year, where every child walks away with a brand-new backpack packed with school supplies.

This isn't just about supplies—it's about removing barriers and ensuring our kids have everything they need to succeed. We're creating a full family experience with bounce houses, free food, and activities that bring our community together. Rain or shine, we're celebrating our children and their bright futures.

*Children must be present to receive backpacks

To become a vendor or sponsor, contact Elaine Roper at 203-777-6014 by July 18th.

Donate to the event here

Join us for our upcoming Holistic Health Business After Hours in honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month this July!

This special event will shine a light on the many dimensions of wellness including physical fitness, healthy eating, emotional well-being, and mental health—while creating space for honest conversations and meaningful connections within our community.

We’ll feature a dynamic panel of five health and wellness professionals who will share insights into their career journeys and speak to the current state of the industry, especially as it relates to communities of color.

Guests will also have the opportunity to connect with 10 curated wellness vendors (we still have a few spots available!). If you're interested in being a vendor, please contact Amina at akhokhar@conncorp.org.

Whether you're a health professional, wellness enthusiast, or simply looking to learn and connect, this evening is for you. Come out to network, gain valuable knowledge, and help move the conversation forward around holistic health in our communities.

Register to attend HERE.

Featuring our speakers:

Kevnesha Boyd Founder and Clinical Director of Quality Counseling Trauma Therapist (moderator)

Shanice Little Birthworker, Herbalist & Spiritualist

Anthony Booth, Jr. Certified Meditation Instructor, Cognitive Researcher &

AVP Business Development, Pursuit

Yvette Bunting-Watts Founder and CEO, Centerpiece Behavioral Health Services

Marquet Sutton Mental Health Consultant, Yale University & Therapist & Owner/Therapist of Empowerment and Enrichment LLC

Join us for an essential civic engagement workshop as we prepare for the 2025 local elections! This special event features Arden Santana, Founding Board Chair and Director of Educational Programs for Communities for Generations, Inc., who will guide you through everything you need to know to make your voice heard in local democracy. Participants are encouraged to bring an electronical device (phone, tablet, computer, etc).

Register Here

What You'll Learn:

• How and where to vote - Navigate the voting process with confidence, from registration to casting your ballot

• Why local elections matter - Discover how local officials directly impact your daily life, from school boards to city councils

• Candidate research strategies - Learn effective methods to evaluate candidates and make informed decisions

• Civic participation beyond voting - Explore additional ways to engage in your community's democratic process

About Our Speaker: Arden Santana brings a unique perspective to civic education, combining her extensive background in education with her passion for community empowerment. As Founding Board Chair and Director of Educational Programs for Communities for Generations, Inc., she has pioneered innovative approaches to civic literacy. Her experience spans from classroom teaching to educational entrepreneurship, and she currently serves as a Yale Access to Law Fellow while pursuing her Juris Doctorate.

Arden's commitment to community engagement extends beyond the classroom - she serves on executive boards for multiple community organizations and co-founded The Elements of Abundance movement. Her mission is to illuminate pathways to equity and empower historically marginalized communities through education and civic participation.

Why Attend: Whether you're a first-time voter or a seasoned participant in democracy, this workshop will equip you with practical tools and renewed motivation to engage in local politics. Local elections often have the most direct impact on our communities, yet they frequently see the lowest voter turnout. Come learn why your vote matters and how to make it count.

This event is part of THE LAB at CONNCORP's ongoing commitment to community empowerment and civic engagement. Don't miss this opportunity to become a more informed and effective participant in our democracy.

Registration includes light refreshments and take-home resources for continued civic engagement.

Space is limited - reserve your spot today!

Join Teresa Williams for an insightful session on strategic planning and discover how to leverage your business finances to set and achieve future goals.

Teresa is the founding member of TW Bookkeeping & Business Services, a firm dedicated to supporting individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses with a range of financial and strategic services. Her firm offers tax preparation services, bookkeeping services, strategic planning, and notary services.

Hosted at The Lab at ConnCORP on June 12th starting at 6pm

Free to attend, register to attend HERE.

Join The Lab and The Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce for their annual Spring Fling BAH.

Join us on April 24th from 5:00-7:00pm to tour The Lab, and meet members of The Lab at ConnCORP and the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce, Flower networking, Raffle prizes and light food and beverages provided by Orchid Hospitality.

Purchase your ticket to attend HERE.

Join us for a free tax education event with Amber The Tax Lady®, a seasoned tax professional dedicated to helping you navigate the ins and outs of filing with confidence.

Hosted in-person at The Lab on March 27th at 6pm. Light food and beverages provided.

Reserve your spot HERE.

With over two decades of individual tax preparation experience, Amber boasts a remarkable journey in taxation.

Whether you're looking to maximize deductions, understand new tax laws, or avoid common filing mistakes, Amber has the knowledge you need.

Don’t miss this chance to get expert tips and take control of your financial future!

Join us for a Fireside Chat with Judith Corprew, President & CEO of New Haven Bank, as we explore economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurial development in Greater New Haven.

As a CDFI-designated bank, New Haven Bank is dedicated to expanding access to capital and fostering financial success for underserved communities. This event highlights the collaborative efforts of The Lab at ConnCORP, New Haven Bank, The Center for Inclusive Growth, and The Collaboration of Minority Women Professionals (CMWP) in supporting Black and minority entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners.

Through this conversation, we will:

• Learn about Judith Corprew’s leadership journey and vision for New Haven Bank

• Explore financial resources and opportunities for business owners

• Discuss key economic trends shaping New Haven’s business landscape

• Highlight strategies to increase financial literacy and access to capital

• Identify ways to support women-led and minority-owned businesses

This event is designed to foster community connections, share valuable financial insights, and empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.

Reserve your attendance HERE.

Join The Lab at ConnCORP and The Narrative Project as they host the first Level Up Skill Builder Training on March 18th at 12pm, focused on learning how to use Canva and Adobe for graphic design work. This free training will farmiliarize professionals with these two commonly used tools.

Reserve your place HERE.

Level Up: Skill-Building Trainings are quarterly workshops hosted by The Lab at ConnCORP designed to help professionals of all kinds, including entrepreneurs, small business owners, and young professionals, sharpen the skills needed to be successful in business. From marketing to money management,

The Level Up series dives into essential tools and strategies to help you effectively promote your business, streamline your marketing efforts, and enhance your online presence.

These free, interactive trainings provide hands-on learning, practical takeaways, and expert guidance to help you level up your skills—no matter your experience level.

Join Us for the LaunchPad at The LAB: Storytelling For Business Success

Discover the art of storytelling as a powerful tool for business growth and audience engagement. Learn how to build buy-in and gain support for your vision and passion.

Date: December 18th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: 265 Morse Street Hamden, CT 60517
Cost: Free to attend (light refreshments and food provided)

Storytelling For Business Success: The Key To Engaging Your Audience
With Dr. Don C. Sawyer III, you will learn how to lead with purpose and build relationships with potential funders and clients.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and network in a supportive and inspiring environment!

Click Here To Register and Join us Today!

Join Us for the Financial Literacy Workshop: Saving with Sistas + Brothas Backing Brothas

Take control of your finances and break down barriers to financial empowerment! This quarterly roundtable is designed to support people of color in overcoming the intimidation of saving, budgeting, and investing, with a focus on addressing the systemic challenges behind the race and gender wealth gaps.

Date: December 12th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: 265 Morse Street Hamden, CT 60517
Cost: Free to attend (light refreshments and food provided)

Empower Your Finances: Budgeting to Invest
Learn how to set up a budget to start your investment journey. Hear from Dwayne J. Hicks and Keyara Carter of Key Bank, who will break down practical strategies, including how investing as little as $10 can lead to financial success.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable financial insights in a supportive and inspiring environment!

Click Here To Register and Join us Today!

Join us for an informative session on how you can utilize AI to bolster your growing business!

Click Here to Register!

Brothers Backing Brothers and Saving with Sistas: Financial Literacy Workshop