Kayla Cummings, Executive Assistant for The Black Institute – Interview Series

Despite recreational cannabis having been legalized for over half a decade, the New York cannabis industry still has a long way to go when it comes to effective social equity inclusion. Even with the CAURD program, persistent challenges throughout the Empire State continue to impact social equity licensees and applicants alike. In New York City—where draconian cannabis policies were historically enforced along neighborhood lines, fueling widespread socio-economic disparities—aspiring entrepreneurs without substantial financial backing face particularly steep hurdles.

To explore ongoing efforts to expand diversity and opportunity within the state’s cannabis market—and to spotlight an upcoming event honoring several innovative industry leaders—mycannabis.com spoke with Kayla Cummings, Executive Assistant at The Black Institute.

What subjects in English and Literature did you study at Hunter College? Who were some authors and academics whose work you read and studied quite a bit?

During my time at Hunter College, I studied a wide range of literary studies. This included Greek Mythology, pre-colonial lit, British literature, African American women’s literature, and 18th century poetry. I studied authors ranging from Shakespeare and Edmund Spenser to the Brontë sisters, as well as writers whose work explores race, gender, identity, and the Black experience.

I spent most time studying a lot of Edmund Spenser and the Bronte Sisters, but I would have to say that the works that stuck with me the most were The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Those works were pivotal in my realization that literature has the power to give a voice to those who have been historically excluded from the dominant narrative.

How would you say your studies inspired your passion for all the great work that The Black Institute does? Who would you say are some authors whose words and literature serve as an inspiration for the objectives of TBI?

I would say that my studies inspired my passion for the work I do at TBI because of my love for literature as well as the love for my community. Literature forces me to ask questions such as: “Who has power?”, “Whose voice is being heard?”, “Whose voice is being left out?”. This perspective is relevant to the work that TBI does because asking these questions guides you on how to take issues and turn them into advocacy and actionable change.

Authors like James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Harriet Jacobs, and Audre Lorde have influenced the ways I think about race and the importance of telling our own stories. They remind me that while society has made tremendous progress, many of these systems that limit Black communities have not disappeared; they’ve evolved.

What interested you about joining the team at TBI? How did the values and mission of the organization with your own values and goals?

What interested me about joining the team at TBI was the unapologetic support of Black & Brown communities. We don’t just talk about disparities; we actively involve ourselves with the communities that are impacted to work with them on how to make effective change.

What are some of the most pertinent subjects that TBI raises awareness about and advocates either against or in favor of? How does TBI apply their three-step strategy of knowledge, leadership and community into their operations?

One of the subjects that are most pertinent is our work involving Black & Brown Businesses and economic justice. We host monthly Black & Brown Business House Calls, which provide minority business owners with a space to discuss challenges affecting their businesses, connect with resources, and identify issues that require advocacy. These conversations help inform TBI’s 1% Solution, which focuses on increasing fair contracting opportunities and access to capital for minority-owned businesses. This factors into our three-step strategy of Knowledge, Leadership & Community because you cannot effectively advocate for any community without first understanding exactly what they are experiencing.

Based on the experience of TBI and its work, what are the most unjust or otherwise widespread ways that aspiring Black and Brown cannabis business owners are still being excluded from the New York cannabis industry?

One of the biggest challenges is that access to capital is still a major barrier. NYC’s Cannabis industry requires entrepreneurs to make major investments even more they can begin operating. This means taking on substantial financial obligations that can cause even greater grief down the line. For example, paying rent on a location for months or years before the business is even generating revenue. A license without access to capital, assistance, and affordable real estate, simply isn’t enough.

Furthermore, how effective have social equity or other similar reforms truly been in the New York cannabis industry? Do aspiring cannabis business owners from disproportionately impacted areas honestly have the number of opportunities that state regulators claimed programs like CAURD would provide?

These reforms have not been successful just yet. If NYC wants a truly equitable cannabis industry, Black and Brown entrepreneurs need the resources necessary to survive and succeed. Although there have been efforts to create opportunities for people who were disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, there is still a gap between being given an opportunity “on paper” and having the resources to build a sustainable business, especially in an increasingly competitive market.

When and where was the first NYC Canna Ball hosted? And from a logistics standpoint, what all went into the planning of the first event? Did the team at TBI any initial pushback due to the association with the cannabis industry?

The Black Institute’s Third Annual Canna Ball NYC supports our Social Equity and Racial Justice Project, which focuses on three priorities: education, oversight, and building a trusted network.

The first and second Canna Ball NYC events were held at Giando on the Water, located at 400 Kent Avenue in Brooklyn. Each year, we highlight a different part of New York’s cannabis community. The first year honored women in cannabis. The second year recognized individuals making an impact across the industry. This year, we are celebrating young leaders who are creating change and shaping the future of cannabis.

We are also centering the people and communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis criminalization and the War on Drugs. More than 45 years later, many of these individuals still face barriers to licensing, financing, employment, ownership, and economic opportunity.

The Black Institute sees these inequities. We will continue to stand unapologetically with impacted communities, demand accountability, and fight for meaningful social equity throughout New York’s cannabis industry.

Who will some of the notable honorees celebrated at this year’s NYC Canna Ball? Why are their accomplishments in the New York cannabis industry incredibly noteworthy?

This year, the Third Annual Canna Ball NYC will honor leaders whose work reflects courage, equity, justice, and community impact. The Black Institute has decided to name our NYS Pioneer award after the legendary and extraordinary work accomplished by New York State Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes, whose leadership has helped advance cannabis legalization and social equity across New York State.

This year we are proud to honor:

NYS Pioneer Honoree: Tosin Ajayi, Executive Director of Cannabis NYC, whose policy leadership continues to shape what equity looks like in practice.

Legacy Honoree: Corey “Banzzy” Wright, a Harlem-based Legacy-to-Legal Tier 3 brand operator. His journey represents the transition from the legacy market to legal ownership that this movement seeks to make possible.

Industry Honorees: Terrence Coffie and Jamil Myrie of the Cannabis Justice and Equity Initiative. These nationally recognized advocates advance restorative justice, policy reform, and equitable participation throughout the cannabis industry.

Black Excellence in Cannabis Honoree: Arian Walker, a respected budtender and advocate who serves on the front lines of the industry every day.

Trailblazer Honoree is Leeann Mata, CEO of Matawana Dispensary, the first Black female owned dispensary and a valued institution within her community.

Each honoree represents the leadership, persistence, and accountability needed to create a cannabis industry that includes the communities most harmed by prohibition.

How will the 3rd Annual NYC Canna Ball both educate aspiring business owners on the ups and downs of the New York cannabis industry and also showcase minority-owned cannabis brands at the same time?

Canna Ball is meant to be more than just a fundraiser or a night out. We’re intentional about showcasing minority-owned cannabis businesses because visibility matters. People need to know that black and brown people are the original trailblazers responsible for building this industry and where they can support them. We want all of our attendees to walk away not only having had a great evening, but having made connections, learned something, and gained a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges within the industry.

How do you and TBI hope that the NYC Canna Ball expands as an event moving forward?

Our Executive Director understands that meaningful growth takes time, and we believe Canna Ball NYC is reaching an important stage in its development. Our goal is to expand it into one of New York’s leading events for cannabis equity, education, accountability, and relationship building.

Each year, we want to welcome more advocates, entrepreneurs, legacy operators, policymakers, community leaders, and supporters. Many people are doing important work but have not received the recognition they deserve. Canna Ball NYC gives us an opportunity to honor their leadership and share their contributions with a wider audience.

We also want the event to create lasting opportunities beyond one evening. Through our Social Equity and Racial Justice Project, we aim to connect people with information, resources, partnerships, and pathways to succeed in the legal cannabis industry. This year, we have a major announcement that no one will want to miss. It represents the continued growth of Canna Ball NYC and our commitment to building an equitable cannabis industry.

Through either the Social Equity and Racial Justice Project or other initiatives, what are some ways that TBI plans on continuing their advocacy for more social equity and diversity in the New York cannabis industry?

As a whole, TBI’s work is ultimately about making sure that communities that have historically been excluded from economic opportunities are not excluded from emerging industries. In cannabis, that means continuing to advocate for meaningful opportunities for Black and Brown business owners.

Social Equity & Racial Justice isn’t just a slogan. We want it to translate into businesses that can open their doors, stay open, create jobs, build wealth, and remain part of NYC’s cannabis industry for generations.

Thank you for joining us, Kayla! For more information on The Black Institute and NYC Canna Ball, please visit its website.