Marketing, Engagement &
Business Development Strategist

Nikoa has championed entrepreneurship and economic development in diverse communities for over 30+ years with a focus on driivng progress through strategic partnerships, marketing, engagement and business development programming. Nikoa’s expertise includes designing strategies that create growth for small businesses; and creating strategic partnerships that build + preserve communities.

Early in her career, Evans served as the Director of New Business Development for The Rouse Company, developer of the nation’s first enclosed malls, festival marketplaces, and planned communities. Nikoa also served as Vice President of Investments for the country’s largest empowerment zone, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), managing a multi-million dollar commercial revitalization strategy to fund retail and restaurant investment within the Harlem, NYC market.

Nikoa currently serves as Co-Founder and Co-Chair of HCF Foundation, a non profit committed to creating social impact within the Harlem community in the areas of economic empowerment, health equity and youth development. Prior to HCF Foundation, Nikoa served as a strategic consultant and executive director of the economic development corporation Harlem Park to Park (HP2P.) During her 14+ year tenure, Nikoa implemented results-driven strategic initiatives designed to integrate community engagement, economic development, corporate partnerships and cross-sector collaborations. In her role, Nikoa oversaw the general management, marketing strategy, business/economic development, and strategic partnerships for HP2P, representing 300+ entrepreneurs in Harlem, NY. Under her leadership and advisory, the organization implementated signature marketing and consumer engagement programs including Harlem Restaurant Week, Shop Harlem Artisanal Fairs, Harlem Harvest Festival, and Battle of the Bars: The Art of the Mix in partnership with Karl Franz Williams, one of the country’s top mixologists and hospitality entrepreneurs.

Nikoa also executive produced the commission and public art installation of the highly acclaimed Black Lives Matter Harlem Street Mural which was featured in Architectural Digest; the NYC Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Merry Wives; and Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum’s ‘Designing Peace’ exhibit.

Her conultancy, BNP Advisory Group, created and developed small business accelerator, Harlem Local Vendor Program™, in collaboration with Harlem Park to Park, Whole Foods Market, Columbia Business School, and Hot Bread Kitchen. Nikoa also served as a consultant and executive producer for the NYCxDESIGN award-winning outdoor dining program The Renaissance Pavilion at Strivers Row in partnership with Uber Eats and WXY Architecture + Urban Design. Nikoa’s continued partnership with WXY includes serving as a Community & Merchant Engagement Strategist for the NYC Economic Development Corporation’s Open Restaurants Permanent Outdoor Dining Program.