Our History
Bee U NYC (Bee U) was conceptualized as part of the Ranti Ogunleye New York City Council Campaign (District 49) in 2021, and has since become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The idea behind a transformative beekeeping program was to highlight the importance of experiential education and its impact on youth engagement in environmental advocacy.
2021
Bee U NYC was founded to expand equitable access to environmental education, leadership development, and pathways into the green economy for young people across New York City. The organization was created by educators and community organizers who saw that many youth, especially in underserved communities, lacked access to hands-on, career-connected learning experiences. By using urban beekeeping as a gateway, Bee U NYC introduces participants to environmental issues while building confidence, leadership skills, and exposure to a wide range of green careers.
In Spring 2021, Bee U was conceptualized and was tasked to find a location on the North Shore where three bee hives could be hosted indefinitely and be easily accessible to community members. Thanks to Maker Space NYC, we were able to find a home for our three hives (each containing 10,000 bees!), at Maker Park in Stapleton, Staten Island.
Bee U started out with a small group from various ages and backgrounds. Participants worked to prepare the hive location as well as transport, install, and paint the hive bodies in the Spring. During the Summer, the group conducted weekly hive checks and would diagnose any problems, ranging from a missing queen to various pest infestations. In addition to harvesting honey in the Fall, programming transitioned to craft-making and winterizing the hives to ensure each colony’s survival through the Winter.
In its first year, with limited funding after the campaign’s termination in the summer, Bee U provided programming to over 50 community members from diverse backgrounds.
2022
In 2022, Bee-U returned with a new program, the Urban Beekeeping Fellowship (UBF), a program for 16-24 year-olds to gain hands-on education from experienced beekeepers, and receive stipends for their participation in the 14-week program spanning from mid-Summer through mid-Fall.
Through hands-on education, participants develop critical thinking skills and socio-environmental curiosity as future beekeepers. Participants learn the historical, socioeconomic context behind environmental justice in urban communities, in addition to the importance of pollination and the practice of beekeeping, allowing for a holistic experience.
Bee U NYC also launched our first-ever free public events, starting with our Opening Day, Family Day, and Honey Harvest events.
2023
In 2023, our flagship program, the Urban Beekeeping Fellowship (UBF), had 27 participants with 90 applicants from across NYC (30% acceptance rate). The average participant received $1,200 in stipends, and we distributed over $32,000 worth of stipends.
Bee U also expanded its programs with the launch of Hive Workshops. We facilitated 3 public workshops that were open to community members, and 4 private workshops for various youth-serving organizations (Staten Island Justice Center, City Growers, etc.). Additionally, we facilitated our second Annual Honey Harvest event through a partnership with local immigrant-support organization, La Colmena. Bee U also participated in various community events, including the NSTAT events facilitated by the Office of Neighborhood Safety under the Mayors Office for Criminal Justice.
2024
In 2024, Bee U NYC continued to grow its reach and impact through hands-on education, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. We kicked off the season with our Opening Day celebration, welcoming community members to observe their first live hive inspection, participate in interactive workshops, and learn about the vital role of honey bees.
Our flagship program, the Urban Beekeeping Fellowship, provided 30 young adults—77% of whom identified as BIPOC—with paid training in beekeeping, leadership, and environmental advocacy.
We also hosted five public and two private Hive Experiences, offering immersive hive inspections and global honey tastings. Our team engaged over 1,000 residents at local events, including Open Streets and the YouthWins Green Energy Symposium, where we facilitated hive demos, sustainability workshops, and hands-on activities. Through all of our programming, Bee U NYC deepened its commitment to empowering youth and building a greener, more informed future.
We also hired our first-ever Urban Beekeeping Fellowship alum to be a Program Coordinator, which was the foundation of our Green Jobs Pipeline program.
2025
In 2025, Bee U NYC continued to grow its programs and expand access to hands-on environmental education across New York City. Our Urban Beekeeping Fellowship reached a major milestone with its expansion into Brooklyn, alongside our longstanding cohort on Staten Island. This year, we received over 160 applications for just 31 spots, reflecting both the demand for and impact of the program. We also expanded the Fellowship to 12 weeks, allowing for deeper learning and engagement. Fellows participated in weekly hive sessions, built confidence working with live bees, and took part in Environmental Action Projects in partnership with organizations across the city.
In addition to program growth, 2025 marked the launch of our school-based programming. We partnered with the New York Harbor School to bring beekeeping and environmental education directly into the classroom. As part of this partnership, Bee U NYC installed and began maintaining hives on Governors Island, creating new opportunities for students to engage with hands-on, place-based learning.
Across all of our work, Bee U NYC remained committed to using urban beekeeping as a gateway to leadership development, environmental literacy, and pathways into the green economy for young people across the city.