Description
Harvests and sells pure, raw honey; runs a program that assists young entrepreneurs in understanding how to start and sustain a business
Founded in 2017, Black Bee Honey is a youth entrepreneurship program operated by the Orlando Community and Youth Trust, a non-profit organization. Students from the Parramore and Holden Heights communities in Orlando, Florida are working to turn their communities from food deserts to food oases. Through nutritious honey they provide their community with access to food with health benefits that also serves as a great substitute to sugar.
In our few years of operation we’ve had the honor of being guests on the Steve Harvey Show where Steve gifted us with an iGourmet partnership allowing us to have international reach. We’ve also expanded our local footprint through partnerships with Central Florida companies such as Popcorn Junkie, Grand Bohemian, Artisans Table and Ivanhoe Brewery. We’ve even had the honor of being recognized with awards such as the MAN UP Mentoring Award and the Eagle Award for Outstanding Community Achievement.
We’re grateful for our journey thus far and glad you’ve landed on our site.
Parramore Kidz Zone and Youth Employment
Parramore Kidz Zone
In 2006, Mayor Buddy Dyer launched Parramore Kidz Zone (PKZ) with the goal of leveling the playing field for Parramore’s children, equipping them to become successful, healthy, well-educated adults.
For over ten years, PKZ has been investing in research-tested ways to make a difference in children’s lives, including early childhood education, after-school programs, mentoring and tutoring, access to health care, parenting education, youth development programs for teens, college access assistance, jobs, and more.
Since PKZ was created in 2006:
More than 5,000 children have been served
Juvenile arrests in Parramore are down 66%
Teen births in Parramore are down 73%
Children attending early learning programs are up 270%
For the past three years, every high school senior involved with PKZ has graduated from high school on time and enrolled in college or trade school, or enlisted in the military. The continued success of PKZ earned it the Powell Legacy Award from America’s Promise Alliance for its work transforming a community and the lives of the young people and families that live there.
"The success of Black Bee Honey is proof that when we invest in youth they will become leaders of positive change in their community. I’m proud of the hard work of these young entrepreneurs, and the hard work they inspire in others. This is one more example of the positive change I am working so hard for in our community. This is why I am a public servant."
- District 5 Commissioner Regina I. Hill
PKZ Youth Employment
PKZ’s youth employment program employs Parramore youth in jobs as office clerks, assistant athletic coaches, childcare workers, after school and summer camp counselors, and tutors of younger children.
Youth employees are also able to open Individual Development Accounts, wherein every dollar they deposit from their paychecks is matched with two dollars from donors. The youth use the money saved to cover their post-secondary education expenses.
