Since its founding in 2010, the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC) has become a cornerstone for minority-owned, small, and emerging businesses across Long Island and the greater New York region. Over the past 15 years, the Chamber has built bridges between entrepreneurs, corporations, and government entities—creating access to capital, contracts, education, and opportunity that drive economic equity and community growth.
By the Numbers
In its 15-year journey, LIAACC has supported over 1,500 businesses, hosted hundreds of workshops, forums, and business clinics, and forged dozens of strategic partnerships with corporations, municipalities, and state agencies. The Chamber has facilitated millions of dollars in contracts, funding, and business opportunities while reaching thousands of entrepreneurs through advocacy, programming, and outreach.
Key Areas of Impact
LIAACC’s initiatives focus on four main pillars:
- Business Development & Education: From start-up guidance to scale-up technical assistance, the Chamber provides workshops on finance, compliance, procurement, and growth, alongside entrepreneur readiness and capacity-building programs.
- Advocacy & Representation: LIAACC serves as a voice for minority and small businesses at local, county, and state levels, engaging on policy issues such as MWBE inclusion, procurement equity, and economic development.
- Access to Capital & Contracts: The Chamber connects entrepreneurs to lenders, grants, and corporate supplier diversity programs, and offers MWBE certification support to navigate business opportunities.
- Community & Economic Empowerment: Beyond business, LIAACC supports job creation, wealth-building, youth initiatives, and workforce development, strengthening local economies through inclusive growth.
Signature Initiatives
LIAACC has developed signature programming that has become central to the Long Island business community, including Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Month events, Small Business Saturday campaigns, corporate and government matchmaking forums, entrepreneur training series, business expos, and philanthropic partnerships.
Leadership & Legacy
Under the leadership of President Phil Andrews, LIAACC has earned a reputation as a trusted, results-driven institution, recognized for integrity, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to economic empowerment. The Chamber’s work reflects a lasting legacy of advocacy, opportunity creation, and measurable impact on minority entrepreneurship.
Looking Ahead
As LIAACC enters its next chapter, it aims to scale digital and regional business support, expand access to capital and contracting pipelines, deepen corporate and public-sector partnerships, and prepare businesses to compete and thrive on a global stage.
To join LIAACC and become part of this growing network of empowered entrepreneurs, visit https://liaacc.org/join-liaacc/#join.
For 15 years, LIAACC has been more than a chamber—it has been a catalyst for economic equity, innovation, and opportunity, shaping the future of business on Long Island and beyond.