In a city with an annual budget of $115 billion, including more than $30 billion through the Department of Education (DOE), it’s staggering that Black-owned businesses receive less than 1% of municipal contracts. This isn’t just a gap, it’s a persistent structural failure that limits economic opportunity in communities of color.
However, in East New York, one Black-owned business is setting a new standard for what success can look like and why it matters.
A Mission Built on Community and Value
Founded by Andrew Walcott, a homegrown East New Yorker, a Thomas Jefferson High School alum, U.S. military veteran, licensed CPA, and attorney, Fusion East Restaurant is more than a Caribbean and soul food restaurant. It’s a mission-driven business that serves working families with integrity, value, and flavor. Walcott launched Fusion East with one clear goal: to offer “real meals at real prices.” In October 2025 Fusion East will celebrate its 10th year in business. Within the next year Fusion East will open the first full sit down restaurant in Brownsville, in over 50 years.
Today, Fusion East is one of the most trusted school food vendors in New York City, not by winning a centralized DOE contract, but by becoming a certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) vendor that individual schools independently choose to work with.
Chosen by Schools Across NYC
Fruit cup and grilled chicken wrap.
Fusion East is DOE-approved as an MWBE vendor, giving schools in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens the flexibility to order from Fusion East for catering services. From daily staff meals to student lunches and school events, Fusion East is building a loyal client base school by school.
The company’s signature $5 Real Meal, complete with vegetables, protein, and flavor has become a staple in classrooms and cafeterias. With over 1,600 schools and nearly one million students in the system, Fusion East’s grassroots growth reflects the increasing demand for healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant meals.
Despite securing $745,000 in DOE-related orders last year, that total represents just 0.0025% of the DOE’s overall budget, underscoring how far the city still has to go in closing the equity gap. To make meaningful progress, New York needs thousands more vendors like Fusion East serving their communities.
Deep Brooklyn Roots, Broad Citywide Impact
What distinguishes Fusion East isn’t just the food, it’s the values behind it. Walcott’s commitment to East New York runs deep. As a former community board member, he’s grounded in the needs of neighborhoods that often go underserved. That connection is reflected in every facet of the business, from hiring to mentoring. He is an annual supporter of the East Brooklyn 5K, which encourages health and community.
Walcott frequently invites groups of students to visit the restaurant for behind-the-scenes tours and entrepreneurship talks. On a recent visit to his former middle school, he inspired students by showing them what’s possible with hard work, discipline, and vision.
Andrew Walcott Founder of Fusion East Restaurant talks to students at his former school PS 273 in ENY
A Flexible, Kid-Friendly Food Service Model
Fusion East goes beyond traditional catering with a mobile, youth-focused model. In addition to its $5 Real Meal, the company offers a “Fun Meal” for younger children, complete with grilled chicken, sweet plantains, fruit medley (strawberries, blueberries, pineapple) and fruit drink, in a bright, engaging packaging. Meals come individually boxed for easy school distribution.
Fusion East’s food trucks also support outdoor school events, church functions, and nonprofit gatherings across the city.
Scaling to Meet Demand
With Fusion East’s reputation spreading, more schools are reaching out and Walcott is scaling up accordingly. He has already expanded his team and plans to hire additional staff to meet increasing demand.
“The support from principals, parents, and school staff throughout the city has been incredible,” said Walcott. “We’ve built a reputation for providing real meals with real value, and it’s been exciting to grow alongside the schools we serve.”
Fusion East isn’t just serving food. It’s building relationships, creating jobs, and offering a model for how Black-owned MWBEs can thrive through service and consistency.
Fusion East is also the exclusive Caribbean food caterer for Prospect Park’s Picnic House, extending its community footprint far beyond East New York.
A Real Path to Equity
Fusion East’s growth is a case study on how equity goals become reality when agencies and schools look beyond entrenched vendors and open doors to quality MWBEs. Despite repeated promises from city leaders, Black-owned businesses remain vastly underrepresented in public contracts, making Fusion East’s story even more powerful, and urgent.
If the city is serious about equity, it must multiply the number of Fusion Easts and give more community-rooted businesses the platform to succeed.
Experience It Yourself
Fusion East is open daily for dine-in and takeout in East New York, offering its signature $5 Real Meal. On Tuesday, August 5, the restaurant will host its Live Music Tuesday, showcasing how food, culture, and community converge in one space.
School administrators interested in providing healthy, affordable meals for the upcoming school year can Contact Fusion East directly and discover why so many NYC schools are placing their orders.
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