L.I. African American Chamber of Commerce Announces Confirmed Speakers for 2026 MED Month Oct. 8th, 2026

HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK — September 18, 2026 — The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (LIAACC) is pleased to announce an expanded lineup of confirmed speakers for the first day of activities for Minority Enterprise Development Month 2026, taking place Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Town of Hempstead Pavilion, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York 11550.

Government, corporate, small buisness leaders, higher education and nonprofit leaders will convene October 8 in Hempstead to connect minority-owned businesses with access, contracts, capital, partnerships and growth opportunities

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Under the theme "Building Legacy, Expanding Opportunity, and Advancing Minority Enterprise," the opening program will bring together business owners, entrepreneurs, government officials, procurement professionals, corporate representatives and community leaders for an evening focused on practical pathways to business growth.

This year's program emphasizes access, contracts, capital, partnerships and lasting impact areas that remain critical to helping minority-owned and other small businesses compete, scale and build sustainable enterprises.

Confirmed Speakers

• Dilip Chauhan — Deputy Chief Business Diversity Officer and Senior Advisor for MWBE Business Opportunities, NYC Mayor's Office of MWBE
• Jason M. Clark, Esq. — Executive Vice President, Division of Minority and Women's Business Development, Empire State Development
• Orville Abrahams — Deputy Commissioner, Business Advocacy and Engagement, New York State Department of Labor
• Jimmy Alty — Manager, Supplier Diversity, PSEG Long Island
• Lauren Linakis — Assistant Director, Farmingdale State College
• Nancy Soko-Askew — Executive Director, The Women's Venture Fund

The diverse lineup reflects the chamber's goal of connecting entrepreneurs with leaders representing government contracting, MWBE development, supplier diversity, workforce resources, higher education and entrepreneurial support.

The October 8 gathering is designed to give attendees direct exposure to professionals and institutions involved in the business-development ecosystem. It will also provide an important setting for entrepreneurs to strengthen relationships across the public, private, nonprofit and educational sectors.

Building Connections That Lead to Opportunity – "Minority Enterprise Development Month is not simply about celebrating entrepreneurship; it is about creating connections that can lead to contracts, capital, technical assistance, strategic partnerships and long-term business growth," said Phil Andrews, President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. "We encourage entrepreneurs throughout Long Island and the New York metropolitan region to come prepared to learn, network and position their businesses for the opportunities ahead."

LIAACC continues to use programs such as Minority Enterprise Development Month to help entrepreneurs become better informed about procurement, certification, supplier diversity, business development and other resources that can help strengthen their companies.

A Regional Call to Minority Entrepreneurs - LIAACC is encouraging minority- and women-owned businesses, emerging entrepreneurs, established companies, young professionals, corporate procurement representatives, government agencies and community partners from Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Kings and throughout the New York metropolitan region to participate.

The October 8 opening program represents an opportunity for business owners to move beyond simply hearing about opportunities and begin building relationships with individuals and institutions that can help them better understand how to pursue those opportunities.

Event Details

• Thursday, October 8, 2026
• 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
• Town of Hempstead Pavilion
• One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York 11550
• For more information and registration:
• To register for the 1st Day of Minority Enterprise Development Month Visit: https://liaacc.org/events-list/#!event/2026/10/8/med-month-2026-announced-8220-from-access-to-ownership-8221-signals-the-next-era-of-minority-enterprise-growth-1st-day-of-activities-thursday-oct-8th-2026
• To view events Year-Round Visit: https://liaacc.org/events-list/
• To become a member today visit: https://liaacc.org/join-liaacc/

About: The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. was established to advance economic opportunity, business development and entrepreneurship. Through networking, education, advocacy, technical assistance, procurement awareness and strategic partnerships, the chamber works to strengthen businesses and the communities they serve.

Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce Announces Confirmed Speakers for 2026 Minority Enterprise Development Month Opening Program

"Stronger Enterprises. A Brighter, More Inclusive Long Island.