Countdown to Minority Enterprise Development Month October 8th, 2026 in New York

COUNTDOWN TO THE LAUNCH: LIAACC SET TO IGNITE 2026 MINORITY ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT MONTH WITH POWERHOUSE DAY 1 IN HEMPSTEAD

New York, NY — The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (LIAACC) is thrilled to announce the official launch of the 2026 Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Month for the New York Metropolitan Area! This month-long, high-energy initiative kicks off with an extraordinary Day 1 celebration designed to fuel economic empowerment, spotlight innovative leadership, and open massive new doors of opportunity for minority-owned businesses across Nassau, Suffolk, New York City, and the surrounding region.

This year’s powerful rallying cry and theme is:

“Building Legacy, Expanding Opportunity, and Advancing Minority Enterprise”

The momentum begins on the very first day of activities, scheduled for Thursday, October 8th, 2026, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Town of Hempstead Pavilion (One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550). Click on link here to register:

Day 1 will signal a bold new era under the banner “From Access to Ownership,” setting the stage for a spectacular month filled with game-changing business education, elite networking, access-to-capital deep dives, and exclusive corporate and government procurement strategies.

Attendees will connect directly with key decision-makers, non-profit allies, and community champions dedicated to accelerating minority business growth and building long-term generational wealth.

"Minority Enterprise Development Month provides an important platform for recognizing the businesses that create jobs, strengthen neighborhoods, introduce innovative products and services, and contribute to the economic vitality of our region," said Ann Dumay, Nassau County Director of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

"We are inviting entrepreneurs, professionals, corporations, government leaders, and community stakeholders to participate in this meaningful celebration of minority enterprise."

"The continued growth of minority-owned businesses is essential to the economic strength of our region," added Phil Andrews, President of LIAACC. "This initiative focuses on equipping our business owners with the exact tools, connections, and networks they need to scale sustainably, win major contracts, and thrive in today's competitive marketplace."

Businesses, sponsors, exhibitors, corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners interested in participating in the 2026 Minority Enterprise Development Month activities are encouraged to contact the chamber at: https://liaacc.org/contact-us/

Building Upon a Proud History of Regional Excellence

While Minority Enterprise Development (MED) programs carry a deep national legacy—originally established by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) its roots on Long Island represent an inspiring journey of grassroots growth and strategic evolution led by LIAACC.

• 2021: LIAACC, alongside the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc., officially made history by launching the Inaugural Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) on Long Island. This early milestone focused heavily on capacity building and connecting underserved firms to critical pandemic-recovery resources via programs like the SBA's Community Navigator Pilot Program.
• 2024: The initiative grew to blend regional economic development with historical milestones, famously incorporating LIAACC’s Founder's Day to honor its October 2010 founding by John L. Scott. Leadership set a major public mandate to scale the weekly program into a massive, month-long ecosystem.
• 2026: This year marks the realization of that vision, as LIAACC officially expands the traditional week into a full Minority Enterprise Development Month with multiple events during the month. This expanded timeline provides regional entrepreneurs with deeper programming, tech-forward workshops focusing on AI, and access to small business resources.

Business owners, professionals, and community advocates ready to scale their networks and accelerate their business goals are urged to lock in their spot immediately for the Day 1 kickoff.

Event Details:

• What: 1st Day of Activities – 2026 Minority Enterprise Development Month Launch
• When: Thursday, October 8th, 2026 | 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Where: Town of Hempstead Pavilion, One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550
• Registration: Secure your tickets and view full session details directly on the LIAACC Events Portal.

Don't miss out on the premier business event of the fall season. Join LIAACC to connect, collaborate, and build the future of regional enterprise.

About: Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (LIAACC) - As it enters its sixteenth year of service, the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is the New York metropolitan region's leading advocacy organization for minority-owned business enterprises.

Dedicated to economic empowerment, capacity building, and sustainable growth, LIAACC provides its members with access to critical resources, educational programming, MWBE certification guidance, and powerful professional networks to build resilient businesses and communities.