Long Island Event To Connect Minority Businesses With Contracts, Resources

HEMPSTEAD, NY — The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce will kick off its 2026 Minority Enterprise Development Month programming Oct. 8 with an event bringing together business owners, government officials, corporate representatives and other regional leaders.

The event is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. at the Town of Hempstead Pavilion, 1 Washington St. in Hempstead.

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This year's theme is "Building Legacy, Expanding Opportunity, and Advancing Minority Enterprise."

The program is expected to focus on access to contracts, capital, business resources and professional relationships for minority- and women-owned businesses and other entrepreneurs, according to the Chamber.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Dilip Chauhan, deputy chief business diversity officer and senior advisor for MWBE business opportunities with the New York City Mayor's Office of MWBE

• Jason M. Clark, executive vice president of Empire State Development's Division of Minority and Women's Business Development

• Orville Abrahams, deputy commissioner for business advocacy and engagement with the New York State Department of Labor
• Jimmy Alty, manager of supplier diversity at PSEG Long Island
• Lauren Linakis, assistant director at Farmingdale State College

• Nancy Soko-Askew, executive director of the Women's Venture Fund

Organizers said attendees will have opportunities to learn about supplier diversity, MWBE programs, workforce development, higher education resources and entrepreneurial assistance.

The October event follows several initiatives undertaken by the Chamber during the first nine months of 2026.

LIAACC launched its "Connect, Grow, Lead" membership campaign earlier this year and continued hosting networking events designed to connect entrepreneurs and professionals.

The Chamber joined organizational partners for the National Entrepreneur Summit and Expo's New York edition in Queens on June 11. The event drew small-business owners, corporate representatives, nonprofit leaders and other participants from Long Island, New York City and elsewhere in the metropolitan area.

The Chamber also appointed Ann Dumay as its Nassau County director in June.

In August, LIAACC launched its Young Professionals Network, which is intended to connect emerging professionals and entrepreneurs with mentorship, business resources and leadership-development opportunities.

"Minority Enterprise Development Month must be more than a celebration. It must be a platform that brings entrepreneurs into meaningful relationships with the people, institutions and resources that can help businesses grow," LIAACC President Phil Andrews said. "On October 8, we are asking entrepreneurs to show up, build relationships, exchange information and position themselves for future opportunities," Andrews said.

LIAACC is encouraging minority- and women-owned businesses, startups, established companies, young professionals, procurement representatives, financial institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, colleges and other organizations from across Long Island and the New York metropolitan area to attend.

The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2010 and works to support small and minority-owned businesses through education, advocacy, networking, technical assistance, leadership development and information about capital and procurement opportunities.

Registration for the Oct. 8 event is available through the Chamber's events page and Eventbrite.