CONBUD The Bronx Grand NOW OPEN

[View this email in your browser]( [Watch Now]( CONBUD The Bronx is OPEN CONBUD is the world’s first dispensary run and operated by former inmates NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 — [CONBUD]( the world’s first cannabis dispensary run and operated by former inmates, celebrated the launch of a second location in The Bronx on Saturday April, 20th. The grand opening began at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at the former Mott Haven Bar & Grill building at 2412 Third Ave, Bronx, NY 10454. The Lower East Side location is led by Coss Marte, a reformed drug dealer who gained fame for creating Conbody, a “prison-style” boot camp run and taught by formerly incarcerated people. Marte cofounded CONBUD with two other former inmates-turned-entrepreneurs, Alfredo Angueira and Junior Martinez. The duo runs the Hoodspitality Group, which includes BEATSTRO, Bronx Drafthouse, Bodega Social and Bricks & Hops. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurants partnered with World Central Kitchen to provide thousands of meals. They continue their public service by feeding migrants across the city. The anticipated impact of CONBUD The Bronx is phenomenal. In addition to opening its new location, CONBUD is partnering with Bronx cannabis company Summit Canna. Summit Canna, which will operate under the CONBUD banner, was cofounded by Michael Montas, another formerly incarcerated entrepreneur. Montas will be at the helm of CONBUD’s Bronx dispensary.  “I went from being arrested as a kid in Castle Hill for Marijuana to now being an Owner in the South Bronx for selling Cannabis. CONBUD The Bronx is giving hope back to our people who for too long had opportunities taken away,” Montas said. Saturday’s grand opening will include a number of special guests, including Montas, NYC Councilwoman Althea Stevens, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and state Assembly members Amanda Septimo, Chantel Jackson, Kenny Burgos, Manny De Los Santos and Catalina Cruz. Michael Blake, founding CEO of Atlas Strategy Group, served as master of ceremonies. “The South Bronx, a place where, for decades, African American and Latino communities were arrested for selling marijuana, will now have Black and Brown men as owners, legally selling and hiring formerly incarcerated residents,” said Martinez and Angueira. “For this community, regularly considered the poorest Congressional district in America, it will have a transformational and positive economic benefit and social impact.” "The legislative mandate that having someone who was formerly incarcerated for marijuana be a part of any legal New York cannabis company ownership, such as CONBUD, is not just restorative for economic and social justice in The Bronx and across the state but also demonstrates that the government does provide power back to her people. It's a modern-day Reparations," said Michael Blake, Founder & CEO of Atlas Strategy Group, KAIROS DEMOCRACY PROJECT, and Former New York State Assembly Member. "The Bronx Community Foundation has been committed to making sure that entrepreneurs in our borough, one of the communities that was most harmed by cannabis prohibition, would be fully equipped to enter the legal cannabis market," said Dr. Meisha Porter, President and CEO of The Bronx Community Foundation. "I am so proud that CONBUD is opening today as one more down payment on the social equity promises New York embedded in its ground-breaking legalization law. The fact that CONBUD has committed to giving a portion of its profits to the foundation just shows the strength and unity of the Bronx community." KAIROS "a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action : the opportune and decisive MOMENT" "The right or critical MOMENT" [Facebook icon]( [Instagram icon]( [Website icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( [YouTube icon]( Copyright (C) 2024 Atlas Strategy Group. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Atlas Strategy Group 837 Washington Ave Bronx, NY 10451-4842 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( [Logo]