Architect of Opportunity: Phil Andrews Helps Build New York’s Largest African American Chamber of Commerce

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — Aug. 30, 2026 — Phil Andrews has spent decades building what he describes as an infrastructure of opportunity for small and minority-owned businesses across New York.

As president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Andrews has emerged as an architect of opportunity, helping transform grassroots business advocacy into a regional platform for entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, business education and access to opportunity.

Under Andrews’ leadership, the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, known as LIAACC, has grown from approximately 20 members to about 500 members, establishing itself as New York state’s largest African American chamber of commerce.

The organization serves entrepreneurs and professionals across Long Island and the greater New York metropolitan area through advocacy, networking, entrepreneurial training, technical assistance and connections to capital and contracting opportunities.

For Andrews, being an architect of opportunity means more than building an organization. It means helping build the systems, relationships and pathways that allow entrepreneurs to compete and grow.

From Public Service to Architect of Opportunity

Andrews’ path to business leadership began in public service.

He is graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, and attended York College and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Andrews also served as a New York City Department of Correction officer. He also served as a founding officer of the Institute of Inner Development program on Rikers Island.

Those experiences helped shape a leadership philosophy centered on service, discipline, personal development and creating pathways for others.

Andrews later entered entrepreneurship as the owner and Vice President of the Haircut Hut Barbershop Franchise, giving him firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities facing minority entrepreneurs.

That combination of public service and entrepreneurship became the foundation for his work as a business advocate.

Architecting a Stronger Minority Business Ecosystem

Through LIAACC, Andrews has worked to build an ecosystem in which entrepreneurs can gain access to information, relationships and opportunities that historically have been difficult for many minority-owned businesses to obtain.

His work has focused on critical areas of economic development, including advocacy, access to capital, government and corporate contracting, entrepreneurial training, networking and chamber development.

Andrews has also emphasized the importance of technology and modern business infrastructure in helping minority businesses remain competitive.

He has said targeted resources can help “level the playing field by enabling personalized customer engagement” while improving a Black-owned business’s ability to obtain different perspectives and insights across its enterprise.

Building Pathways to M/WBE Opportunities

A major component of Andrews’ work as an architect of opportunity has been advocating for greater participation by minority- and women-owned business enterprises in government and institutional procurement.

Through LIAACC, Andrews has pushed for greater transparency, accountability and access within procurement systems while encouraging minority businesses to become better prepared to compete for contracts.

The chamber has conducted workshops and educational programs covering M/WBE certification, capability statements, procurement, government contracting and business development.

The objective is to move entrepreneurs beyond networking alone and help prepare them to become competitive vendors, contractors and suppliers.

Andrews has also taken the chamber’s advocacy to Albany and other centers of government and economic-development decision-making, connecting entrepreneurs with information about programs and opportunities available through New York state.

Building Institutions That Outlast Individuals

Andrews’ approach to economic empowerment has extended beyond the chamber.

Recognizing the need for additional institutional support for entrepreneurs, he founded the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc., creating another platform focused on business education, technical assistance, economic development and community advancement.

“This represents a powerful moment in our organization’s growth,” Andrews has said. “Together, we are shaping futures, strengthening communities and laying the groundwork for long-term economic stability.”

The foundation represents another component of Andrews’ broader strategy: Build institutions capable of creating opportunity beyond the tenure or accomplishments of any single leader.

Local Leadership Earns National Recognition

The growth of LIAACC has attracted attention beyond Long Island.

The chamber has been recognized within the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. network and was named a finalist for Chamber of the Year, placing the organization among recognized Black chambers and business organizations across the country.

Andrews’ individual leadership has also received significant recognition.

He was named a Small Business Champion by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s New York District Office and was inducted into the Long Island Business Hall of Fame.

He has also received Long Island Business News Icon Honors recognition and was recognized by City & State New York as a Long Island Trailblazer.

The honors reflect Andrews’ evolution from entrepreneur and public servant into a regional chamber leader whose work focuses on building sustainable institutions for economic opportunity.

An Architect Focused on the Next Generation

Andrews continues to emphasize that the true measure of leadership is not simply what a leader accomplishes personally, but what that leader builds for others.

His current work includes mentoring entrepreneurs, developing strategic partnerships, strengthening chamber infrastructure, expanding networking opportunities and encouraging established leaders to create pathways for emerging entrepreneurs and professionals.

That approach has helped define Andrews as an architect of opportunity — a leader focused not simply on opening individual doors, but on constructing an ecosystem through which more entrepreneurs can find those doors.

His philosophy is based on a simple economic premise: Stronger small businesses create stronger communities.

When entrepreneurs have greater access to capital, contracts, education, relationships and institutional support, they are better positioned to create jobs, strengthen commercial corridors, contribute to local economies and build generational wealth.

For Andrews, the architecture of opportunity is therefore not a single program, event or organization.

It is the continuing work of building institutions, developing leaders and creating pathways that can remain in place for generations.

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

The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a regional business organization dedicated to advancing economic opportunity and supporting the development of small, minority-owned and underserved businesses. Through advocacy, business education, networking, technical assistance and strategic partnerships, LIAACC works to strengthen businesses and expand economic opportunity throughout the New York metropolitan region.

About: Phil Andrews

Phil Andrews is president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and an entrepreneur, business advocate, mentor and community leader. His professional background spans public service, entrepreneurship, chamber development and nonprofit leadership.

Andrews has been recognized as a U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Champion, inducted into the Long Island Business Hall of Fame, honored through Long Island Business News Icon Honors and recognized by City & State New York as a Long Island Trailblazer.

He is the Founding President of 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. a chartered chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

The mission of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is “Four For The Future”® Mentoring, Education, Health and Wellness and Economic Empowerment.

In 2023 Mr. Andrews along with his board of directors established the New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Media Contact: Email - info@liaacc.org
Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Garden City, New York

For more information on the programs and activities of the chamber or to become a member today visit:LIAACC.org