100 Black Men of Eastern N.Y. Uses Long Island Gathering to Celebrate Black Excellence & Call to Mentoring

WESTBURY, N.Y. — August 31, 2026 — Business leaders, entrepreneurs, mentors and community stakeholders gathered on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, for “August’s Legacy: Celebrating Black Business Excellence,” an evening celebrating Black entrepreneurship while emphasizing the importance of mentoring, leadership development and investing in the next generation.

Held at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island in Westbury, the gathering brought together members and supporters of 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc., the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC), business leaders and community stakeholders.

Held at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island in Westbury, the gathering brought together members and supporters of 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc., the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC), business leaders and community stakeholders.

A major focus of the meeting was a call for men to become mentors and give their time, experience and leadership to young people throughout the region.

Leaders stressed that the continued success of Black communities cannot be measured solely by the number of businesses created or professional milestones achieved. It must also be measured by how effectively today's successful adults prepare the next generation to lead.

A Call for Mentors

During the gathering, 100 Black Men of Eastern New York issued a call for men from across the region to become involved in mentoring.

The organization is seeking business owners, executives, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs, tradesmen, public servants, community leaders, retirees and other accomplished men who are willing to share their knowledge and life experiences with young people.

Mentoring does not require someone to have all the answers. It requires individuals who are willing to show up, listen, encourage, guide and provide young people with positive examples of what is possible.

The call for mentors reflects one of the most important principles of the 100 Black Men movement:

“What They See Is What They’ll Be®.”

Through mentoring, young people gain access to positive role models who can help expose them to careers, entrepreneurship, education, financial literacy, leadership, personal responsibility and opportunities they may not otherwise encounter.

The August 26 gathering therefore served two purposes: celebrating the achievements of Black businesses today while recruiting adults who can help develop the leaders of tomorrow.

About: 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc.

100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. is a membership-based 501(c)(3) organization and chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

The organization was incorporated in New York State on December 27, 2021, and received its official charter from 100 Black Men of America, Inc. on December 10, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia.

The founding Board of Directors included Phil Andrews, Founding President; John Nedd, Secretary; and Desmond Horsham-Brathwaite.

The organization was created to bring together accomplished men who are committed to using their professional experience, relationships, leadership and time to positively impact young people, families and communities.

Its work is centered around the nationally recognized
“Four For The Future” ® programmatic pillars of 100 Black Men of America:

Mentoring • Education • Health & Wellness • Economic Empowerment

The Eastern New York chapter also emphasizes leadership development, advocacy, community engagement and partnerships with organizations that share its commitment to developing young people.

Deep Roots of the “100” on Long Island

While 100 Black Men of Eastern New York was incorporated in 2021, the history behind the organization reaches much further back.

The movement that ultimately became 100 Black Men of America traces its origins to New York City in 1963, when a group of prominent African American men came together around the idea that successful Black men had a responsibility to help strengthen their communities and prepare future generations.

That movement developed significant roots on Long Island.

In 1974, a chapter was established in Hempstead under the leadership of founding president William Urquhart, Jr., a local real estate broker who became the first Black person to serve on the Hempstead School Board.

Those early leaders understood something that remains relevant more than five decades later: when successful men collectively invest their knowledge, relationships and time into young people, their impact can extend across generations.



The present-day 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc., led by Founding President Phil Andrews, continues that tradition while building programs and partnerships designed to address the needs of today's communities.

Andrews previously served for more than two decades within the 100 Black Men movement, including two terms as president of a local chapter from 2009 through 2013. His experiences in the movement and the mentoring he received helped inspire his continued commitment to developing 100 Black Men of Eastern New York.

Recent 100 Black Men of America Conference Brings National Movement Home to New York

The August gathering came just two months after an important milestone for the national organization.

From June 17–21, 2026, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. held its 40th Annual Conference at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City under the theme:

“Rooted in Mission. Strengthened by Unity. Shaping the Future.”

The conference was particularly significant because it brought the national organization back to the city where the original 100 Black Men movement began in 1963.

More than 1,200 members, mentees, alumni, corporate partners, elected officials and community leaders participated in the gathering.

The conference featured programming centered on mentoring, leadership development, education, health and wellness, youth engagement and economic empowerment.

Among its major activities were the State of the 100 Breakfast, Economic Empowerment Business Summit, National Town Hall, Barbershop and Beauty Shop discussions, Women of Influence forum, leadership development sessions and youth programming.

The five-day gathering also demonstrated the economic influence of the national organization, generating approximately 3,854 hotel room nights and more than $4.09 million in estimated economic impact for New York City.

The Mission of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

100 Black Men of America, Inc. is one of the nation's leading African American-led mentoring organizations.

Its mission is to improve the quality of life within communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for African Americans.

The organization's national programs are centered around its “Four For The Future” ® pillars:

Mentoring — providing young people with positive role models, guidance, encouragement and relationships that can help them reach their potential.

Education — supporting academic achievement and exposing young people to educational and career opportunities.

Health & Wellness — promoting healthy lifestyles and increasing awareness of health issues affecting communities.

Economic Empowerment — providing individuals, families and businesses with information and resources designed to strengthen financial knowledge and economic self-sufficiency.

At the heart of these pillars is the belief that successful men have a responsibility to help develop those coming behind them.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island Provides a Fitting Setting

Holding the August 26 program at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island (BBBSLI) provided an especially meaningful setting for the call to mentorship.

Incorporated in 1977, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island has spent nearly five decades helping young people reach their potential through professionally supported mentoring relationships.

Its mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

The organization connects adult volunteers, known as “Bigs,” with young people, known as “Littles,” and provides professional support to help those mentoring relationships develop successfully.

The shared commitment to mentorship between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island and 100 Black Men of Eastern New York underscores the importance of organizations working collaboratively to ensure young people have access to caring adults and positive role models.

Black Business Excellence and Mentoring Go Hand in Hand

“August’s Legacy” also reinforced the connection between Black business development and mentoring.

Successful entrepreneurs and professionals possess knowledge that can become even more powerful when transferred to another generation.

A business owner can introduce a young person to entrepreneurship. A banker can teach financial literacy. An attorney can expose a student to the legal profession.

An educator can encourage academic excellence. A tradesman can introduce a young person to a skilled career. A corporate executive can explain leadership and professional development.

Every successful adult has something of value that can be shared.

That is why 100 Black Men of Eastern New York is encouraging men throughout its service territory to consider becoming mentors and supporting the organization's ongoing youth and community initiatives.

The Work Continues Beyond August

The message coming out of “August’s Legacy: Celebrating Black Business Excellence” was clear: the celebration cannot end when Black Business Month ends.

The work of developing businesses, mentoring young people and strengthening communities must continue throughout the year.

100 Black Men of Eastern New York will continue building partnerships with businesses, corporations, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations and community leaders while expanding opportunities for men to become involved in mentoring and community service.

The chapter invites men who believe they can make a positive difference in the life of a young person to learn more about becoming involved.

The organization's call is straightforward:

Become a mentor. Share what you know. Give your time. Help prepare the next generation.

Because the lasting legacy of today's successful leaders will ultimately be measured by the leaders they help develop tomorrow.

To inquire about membership visit: zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/100-black-men-of-eastern-new-york-incs-membership-2026-dues

About: 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc.

100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), membership-based chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Founded under the leadership of Phil Andrews, the organization advances mentoring, education, health and wellness, economic empowerment, advocacy, leadership development and community engagement.

About: 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

100 Black Men of America, Inc. is one of the nation's leading African American-led mentoring organizations. Its mission is to improve the quality of life within communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for African Americans through programs centered around Mentoring, Education, Health & Wellness and Economic Empowerment.

About: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island has served Long Island youth since 1977. Its mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

About: Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. works to advance small businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals throughout the New York metropolitan region through advocacy, networking, education, technical assistance, business development and access to opportunities.