In a county where many professionals still look south to New York City for opportunity and connection, The 914 Collective is betting on something different: building that energy right at home.
The group’s new 914 Room networking series aims to bring together creatives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders across Westchester County in a setting that feels more like a shared hangout than a formal event. Behind it is founder A.J. Chiarella, who launched the initiative as an extension of The 914 Collective’s broader mission. His brother, Nick Chiarella (a former Wunderkinds), helped bring the first event to life.
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“At the core of everything we do is bringing community and culture and excitement to Westchester,” A.J. says. “We want people to feel like they can live here, work here, spend their money here, and not feel like they always have to go into the city to find that.”
That message shaped the first 914 Room event, held at Yonkers Brewing Co., where A.J. also manages events. The venue served as both a convenient launchpad and a preview of what is to come.
“It’s kind of like a rock club,” A.J. says. “There’s a stage, a bar, and we had ’90s hip-hop and rock playing in the background. It was just a low-pressure hang.”
A Space for the Professional Community
The crowd reflected the Collective’s wide reach. Rather than targeting a single industry, the event drew a cross-section of Westchester’s professional ecosystem, including music producers, small business owners, restaurateurs, barbers, local officials, and representatives from county parks and city government.
“It was a big mix of different industries,” A.J. says. “That was really cool, because people who might not normally cross paths were talking to each other.”
That mix is intentional. While many networking events lean heavily on structure or skew toward a specific profession, the 914 Room is designed to balance openness with value. The first gathering included a panel discussion on digital marketing, giving attendees both organic connections and practical takeaways.
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Future Plans for the 914 Room
Moving forward, A.J. expects that balance to evolve.
“I think each event will have a theme,” he says. “Maybe some will be a little more niche, like one for artists, creatives, and musicians, or one for community leaders or business owners. But the goal is always to bring people together and give them something they can learn or take away.”
The series is still in its early stages, but the long-term vision is ambitious. A.J. hopes to grow the 914 Room into a monthly event that rotates across different venues throughout Westchester, showcasing the county’s diversity while expanding its network.
“The plan is definitely to move it around,” he says. “Different locations, different themes, and different parts of the county.”
If the concept sounds familiar, A.J. acknowledges that networking events are nothing new. What sets the 914 Room apart, he argues, is both its tone and its built-in audience.
Through its digital presence, The 914 Collective has cultivated a following that spans industries, from local business owners to artists to public officials. That reach allows the group to convene a uniquely diverse room while maintaining a consistent identity.
“We’re in a fortunate position where a lot of different people in the county are paying attention to what we’re doing,” he says. “That gives us the opportunity to bring them into the same space.”
Low-Pressure Networking
Just as important is the atmosphere. A.J. is deliberate about avoiding what he describes as the “stuffy” or transactional feel of traditional networking.
“We’re not trying to sell you anything,” he says. “It’s just come meet people, talk, and be part of the community.”
That approach may be especially appealing to those who typically shy away from networking altogether.
“A couple people told me, ‘I don’t really do this. I was a little nervous,’” he says. “But they ended up enjoying it.”
His advice to anyone on the fence is simple: show up.
“You’ve got nothing to lose,” he says. “If you’re doing something awesome, come meet other people who are doing something awesome.”
Accessibility is also part of the draw. The events are free to attend, with participation, not exclusivity, as the priority. As the 914 Room grows, A.J. remains focused on its original purpose, strengthening local connections in a way that feels genuine.
“The stronger everyone is together,” he says, “the closer we get to building that community we’re trying to create.”
With early momentum and a clear vision, the 914 Room may be carving out something Westchester has been missing. It is not just another networking event, but a place where professional growth and community-building happen side by side.
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