My Colleague – Lynette D. Battle

Lynette D. Battle has a track record of delivering solid, impressive results.
As the Director of Economic Development for Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC), Battle brings years of experience to the position, including owning and operating her own consultancies in event planning, fundraising, development and an unwavering commitment to creating win/win scenarios for business owners and developers.

In her current role, Battle designs and executes marketing and salesstrategies for small businesses within Central Brooklyn. This includes collaborating with a diverse group of community leaders, stakeholders, and seasoned professionals in a collective effort to secure resources to create individualized business growth for the diverse merchants and small businesses BSDC serves. 

During the global Coronavirus pandemic, Battle was on the frontline securing resources and emergency financing for small business owners who struggled to keep their doors open. This included assisting entrepreneurs and shop owners with applying for and securing funding through the government funded Paycheck Protection Program, securing and distributing emergency PPE to small businesses, and championing collective marketing efforts to bring awareness and foot traffic to their doorsteps.

Battle is also responsible for spearheading and championing collaborative efforts to make Bed-Stuy a shopping destination through beautification and capital improvement projects. During the summer of civil unrest Battle worked alongside various community stakeholders to bring programming to the celebrated Black Lives Matter Mural and partnered with Van Alen Institute and Urban Design to create Winter Wonderland.  The environmentally sound, COVID safe zone included a testing station, Santa safety station, and gift-wrapping station with plenty of room to socially distance and purchase gift items from a variety of BID merchants.

Prior to joining the Bridge Street, Battle was the Interim Executive Director of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID and Events Manager for Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. There she formed strategic partnerships with high-end clients, including Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule. Battle also transformed Restoration’s event services department, as she organized more than 200 successful special events for clients and partners.

In late 2020, Battle facilitated a partnership with NYC & Company, the city’s official destination marketing organization and visitor’s bureau. The collaboration put Bed-Stuy on the map of culturally diverse and vibrant neighborhoods for unique shopping and dining experiences.

Battle holds several business certificates, including event management from New York University and non-profit management from York College. Her resume includes a Sales supervisor position at Verizon and a Marketing Manager Consulting post with W.B. Entertainment Group. She’s a Board Member of the Crown Heights Service Center and a member of the NYC Small Business Ecosystem Assessment Advisory Council.