N.Y.C. Minority Chamber of Commerce launches mission to expand opportinities to contracting & economic growth

Membership Is Now Open to Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses, Corporations and Community Partners

NEW YORK, NY — June 18, 2026 — The New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has announced that membership is now open as the organization advances its mission of strengthening minority-owned and small businesses throughout New York City and New York State.

The Chamber was established to serve as a strong, independent voice for minority entrepreneurs and small-business owners navigating one of the largest and most competitive economies in the world. Its work will focus on business development, advocacy, access to capital, procurement readiness, professional education, strategic relationships and the creation of sustainable pathways to long-term business growth.

The launch comes at a significant moment for minority businesses. New York City procured approximately $42.3 billion in goods and services during Fiscal Year 2025. More than $2.2 billion in awards were reported to minority- and women-owned business enterprises under the City’s Local Law 1 framework.

Despite these gains, a separate analysis by the New York City Comptroller found that M/WBEs represented only approximately 5% of total citywide procurement value. These figures demonstrate both the enormous size of the public procurement marketplace and the considerable amount of work that remains to ensure that qualified minority-owned firms receive equitable access to contracting opportunities.

At the state level, New York reported a record $3.3 billion in payments to minority- and women-owned businesses during Fiscal Year 2024–25. The State achieved an estimated 31.86% M/WBE utilization rate, exceeding its 30% participation goal for the fifth consecutive year.

These billions of dollars in public-sector spending represent contracts, employment opportunities, business expansion, community investment and the potential creation of generational wealth. The New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. intends to help ensure that minority businesses are properly informed, prepared and positioned to compete for their fair share of this economic activity.

To become a member of the chamber visit: zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/new-york-city-minority-small-business-chamber-of-commerce-inc-membership-dues

A Chamber Created to Meet a Critical Need

Minority-owned businesses contribute significantly to the culture, vitality and economic strength of New York City and New York State. They create employment, revitalize commercial corridors, provide essential services and circulate dollars within communities that have historically experienced limited access to capital and institutional opportunities.

However, many minority entrepreneurs continue to encounter barriers involving financing, certification, bonding, insurance, procurement procedures, technology, professional networks and the working capital required to perform larger contracts.

The New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. was created to help close these gaps.

The Chamber will work to connect its members with government agencies, corporations, financial institutions, educational organizations, community development partners and established business leaders. It will also help entrepreneurs better understand how to pursue public- and private-sector contracts, develop their operational capacity and build businesses capable of competing beyond their immediate neighborhoods.

In June of 2026 the New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. partnerned with the Long island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. for the inaugural National Entrepreneur Summit and Expo "New York Edition" in New York City. The African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. was the host organization for the National Expo.

The Chamber’s mission includes:

• Promoting trade, commerce and sustainable business development throughout New York City and New York State.
• Advocating for minority entrepreneurs and historically underserved small businesses.
• Increasing awareness of government and corporate procurement opportunities.
• Helping businesses prepare for M/WBE certification and contract participation.
• Connecting entrepreneurs with capital, technical assistance and professional services.
• Providing workshops, conferences, networking programs and leadership development.
• Encouraging corporations and government agencies to expand supplier-diversity participation.
• Supporting businesses seeking to move from startup and survival stages into growth, scale and long-term sustainability.
• Strengthening commercial corridors and promoting economic development in underserved communities.
• Building partnerships among businesses, chambers, nonprofits, educational institutions and public agencies.

Experienced Leadership and a Record of Service

The Chamber’s founding president brings more than 30 years of experience in business development, chamber leadership, nonprofit management, community engagement and economic empowerment.

Without focusing on a single individual, the Chamber’s founding leadership reflects an established record of building organizations and initiatives designed to support entrepreneurs, strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity.

Among the founding president’s accomplishments are:

• Helping to develop one of New York State’s most recognized African American chambers of commerce.
• Providing leadership to organizations serving entrepreneurs, young people, professionals and communities across New York City and Long Island.
• Organizing hundreds of business workshops, conferences, networking events and economic-development programs.
• Helping connect small businesses with government agencies, corporations, financial institutions and technical-assistance providers.
• Supporting the development and growth of hundreds of minority-owned businesses.
• Establishing nonprofit and community-based initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, mentoring and economic empowerment.
• Receiving recognition as a U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Champion.
• Earning honors for corporate citizenship, community leadership and sustained service to the small-business community.
• Advocating for greater access to capital, contracting opportunities, business education and strategic relationships.
• Developing regional programs that have brought together business owners, public officials, corporate leaders and community stakeholders.

This experience will help guide the New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. as it develops programs designed specifically for the needs of entrepreneurs operating within New York City’s five boroughs and throughout New York State.

From Government Spending to Community Investment

The Chamber believes that public procurement should do more than purchase goods and services. It should also help build stronger businesses, create local jobs and expand economic opportunity.

When minority-owned businesses secure contracts, the impact can extend far beyond the individual company. Contract revenue can allow an entrepreneur to hire employees, purchase equipment, lease commercial space, invest in technology, build credit and create opportunities for additional vendors and subcontractors.

Increasing minority-business participation can also help public agencies and corporations develop stronger, more competitive and more innovative supply chains.

The Chamber will advocate for systems that provide qualified minority businesses with greater access to prime contracts, meaningful subcontracting opportunities and timely payment. It will also encourage greater transparency, accountability and outreach within public- and private-sector procurement.

Membership Is Now Open

Membership in the New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is now open to:

• Minority-owned businesses.
• Small and emerging businesses.
• Independent professionals and entrepreneurs.
• Startups and home-based businesses.
• Established companies seeking to expand.
• Certified and certification-ready M/WBEs.
• Corporations and supplier-diversity partners.
• Financial institutions.
• Nonprofit and community-development organizations.
• Government and educational partners.
• Individuals who support minority-business development.

Members will have opportunities to participate in educational programs, networking events, procurement-readiness activities, business-development initiatives, advocacy efforts and strategic partnerships.

Corporate and institutional memberships will also provide organizations with opportunities to engage minority entrepreneurs, strengthen supplier-diversity pipelines, support capacity-building programs and demonstrate a meaningful commitment to inclusive economic development.

“The economic strength of New York depends upon the strength of its small businesses,” the Chamber’s founding leadership stated. “Minority entrepreneurs must be included in the contracts, capital, relationships and emerging opportunities that will shape the future of New York City and New York State. This Chamber will work to ensure that businesses are informed, prepared, connected and positioned for sustainable growth.”

The New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. invites entrepreneurs, corporations, government agencies, financial institutions and community partners to become part of this growing economic-development movement.

About: New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

The New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a New York-based business membership and economic-development organization established to foster trade, commerce, entrepreneurship and sustainable business growth.

Operating under the banner “NYC’s Voice for Minority Small Business,” the Chamber advocates for minority entrepreneurs and small-business owners while connecting members with education, capital resources, procurement opportunities, professional networks and strategic partnerships throughout New York City and New York State.

The Chamber is committed to building stronger businesses, strengthening communities and helping entrepreneurs prepare for the next phase of growth.

Membership is now open.

For membership, partnership, sponsorship or corporate participation information, contact:

New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Email: NYCMSBCC@gmail.com
Telephone: 347-475-7158