NY1.com

  46º

You are not signed in  |  Sign in here  |  Help

You're viewing a lite version of NY1.com

Time Warner Cable customers: Sign in with your TWC ID for video access.

Get my TWC ID. | Get TWC service. | Read the FAQ.

09/22/2010 09:13 PM

Business Savvy Grads Walk The Stage In Queens

By: NY1 News

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

A group of small business owners graduated Wednesday from the first Goldman Sachs-led Small Business program in Queens.

The 10,000 Small Business Initiative is aimed toward helping small businesses grow.

For the past 20 weeks, the 23 students studied accounting, human resources, negotiation, and marketing.

Warren Buffett and Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein were on hand to pass out diplomas at the graduation ceremony at LaGuardia Community College.

"We have always believed that the business community has a responsibility to address challenges that go beyond the traditional bottom line," Blankfein said.

"The kind of access I've had to advice and networking with such important business people, it's just inspiring, and really wonderful," said National Van Equipment CEO Rosalie Safier.

White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett delivered the commencement address.

She noted that two out of every three jobs created today are generated through small businesses.