Astraea Law Announces The 2026 Cindy Founders Fellowship Recipient

iI am honored to announce that Cherrish Beals, founder of Cherrish Moments Corp., has been selected as the 2026 recipient of The Cindy Founders Fellowship.

An independent selection committee carefully reviewed the applications and was moved by Cherrish’s clarity of vision and the values reflected in her work. It is a privilege to support a founder building a business with purpose, integrity, and long-term impact.

The Cindy Founders Fellowship exists in honor of my mother Cindy and reflects my commitment—in her name—to building systems that value collaboration, dignity, and shared prosperity that recognize all who contribute to an outcome. This year’s recipient will receive:

• New York State MWBE application support;

• Contract templates and vendor agreements, as needed; and

• Up to 5 hours per month of ongoing general counsel services from June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027

I look forward to working with her over the coming year.

And there’s more . . .

While I had originally intended this first fellowship year to be limited to only one entrepreneur, I also wanted to recognize and support this year’s runner-up. Therefore, I am also pleased to offer complimentary support to Alicia Dean, founder of Dean and Phillips Renovations, as the runner-up. Astraea Law will help her pursue New York State Minority/Women Business Enterprise certification for her business.

I am grateful to everyone who applied and shared their work, their vision, and their commitment to building something meaningful. I am also deeply grateful to the three women who volunteered their time as the selection committee. Each is a visionary changemaker in her own right. Collectively, the women who have touched my life through this process inspire me with their courage to create and sustain work aligned with their values.

Together, we level the playing field, one small business at a time.

I look forward to expanding this fellowship in the years ahead.

In solidarity,

Chris