Regional Chamber of Commerce LIAACC Placed Amongst Top Finalist for USBC's Top Chamber of the Year

Long Island, New York - The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (LIAACC) was one of the top finalists out of seven Chambers of Commerce who participated in applying for the United States Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) prestigious Chamber of the year award at its annual conference. USBC’s conference was held in Washington, DC from July 30th, 2025, to August 1st, 2025.

"Being selected as one of the top finalists for USBC's chamber of the year was a significant marker for the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.; as our chamber of commerce is celebrating and commemorating our 15th year of service to small businesses in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens County, and Kings County”.

Since its inception in 2009 the United States Black Chambers, Inc. has supported the growth and development of Black Chambers nationally; and now the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. is comprised of 176 chambers of commerce which includes international chambers.

Left to Right: Phil Andrews, President of Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and Founding President, African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. and Rose Ward, V.P. Long Island African Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and Owner, NFocus Management Group, LLC.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as a finalist for the Chamber of the Year award. It’s a testament to the great leadership of Phil Andrews and Rose Ward. They work tirelessly to inspire our membership, and our community. It’s also great to hear about the great work other chambers are doing all around the country to help level the playing field. When we’re doing that, we all win”. Anthony Quiñones, CEO, The Fracct Agency.

The Black Chamber of Commerce convention in Washington, DC was an opportunity for community leaders and small businesses to connect, collaborate and celebrate the significant contributions of black businesses across the United States. The event offered businesses a platform for peer-to-peer learning, best practices, access to experts and networking opportunities. Rose Ward, CEO, NFocus Management Group.

We are grateful and honored to be included as a member chamber of USBC, and we will continue to fulfill our national mandate by carrying out our six pillars of service which include advocacy, access to capital, contracting, entrepreneur training, chamber development, and information and technology. The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. started from humble beginning with its first public meeting being hosted in the Village of Hempstead.

Our chamber has served as a founding community partner for Ascend Long Island, and worked with entities such as Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs, SBDC Farmingdale, SBDC Suffolk County, Nassau Council Chambers of Commerce, Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers, New York Metro District of the United States Small Business Administration, Chase Coaching for Impact, SCORE, ADP, Lendistry and Empire State Development, etc.

In 2014, LIAACC officially installed its first Officers and Board of Directors at a historic installation ceremony at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative building in the ceremonial chambers of Nassau County. Judge Norman St. George, Supervising Judge of Nassau District Court; Acting Supreme Court Justice swore in LIAACC’S President, Phil Andrews. Judge Andrea Phoenix swore in the Officers and Board of Directors. The installation was held in conjunction with Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs under the leadership of Dr. Phillip Elliot, Deputy County Executive Office of Minority Affairs.

Long Island Business News has recognized the work of its members in the categories of Leadership in Law, 50 Influential Women on Long Island, Diversity Awards; other awards Include Glass Ceiling Awards, Nassau County Small Business Person of the Year and Legislative Breakfast, and the Excellence in Communication Awards. In addition, LIAACC’S members have been honored by the Islip Chapter of the NAACCP, Black Business Awards, and the Suffolk County Independent Business Women’s Awards.

LIAACC has conducted unique meetings in venues such as Nassau County Museum of Art, Hofstra University Museum, NYCB Theatre of Westbury, Nassau Community College, SUNY Old Westbury University, Hofstra University, and Nassau County Legislative Chambers. The chamber presented a signature Black History Art Exhibition at Bloomindales along with the Long Island Arts Alliance, Bloomingdales, and LI Black Artist Association for four consecutive years.

In the past the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Fidelis Care and the MLK Center in Long Beach hosted a Joint toy drive at the Martin Luther Center in Long Beach where several hundred toys were distributed to the families in attendance with children affected by Hurricane Sandy.

In May of 2016 LIAACC served as the lead organization for the 1st of its kind Regional Chamber Leadership Conference which was held at Hofstra University. Co-host for the event included the Nassau County Council of Chambers, Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers, and the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Ron Busby, Sr. President and CEO of the US Black Chambers, Inc. which is the nation’s largest national Black Chamber organization in the country served as the keynote for the Regional Leadership Conference.

In November of 2016 LIAACC launched and unveiled its new website. LIAACC’S MWBE Chair Charlene Jackson Thompson, Esq. work was recently honored by NY State Senator John E. Brooks.

October 2024, a commemorative pin was unveiled during the Minority Enterprise Week celebration at the Hempstead Town Pavilion, Hempstead, NY.

In 2019 President Phil Andrews was named the Metro District Office of the United States Small Business Administration 2019 Small Business Champion for 14 Counties Downstate, New York and surrounding areas.

LIAACC has been featured on WABC Here and Now, NBC’S Positively Black, FiOs1 Push Pause, MY Long Island News, Long Island Business News, and Newsday.

For more information on the programs and activities of the chamber or to becoming a member visit: https://tinyurl.com/liaacc2025upcomingevent

The chamber will be hosting its Annual Minority Enterprise Development Month as part of their 15th year anniversary. The inaugural event for Minority Enterprise Development Month will be held on Thursday, October 9th, 2025, at the Town of Hempstead Pavilion and will begin at 6:00 pm and end at 9:00 pm.

To view our entire list of upcoming events or to register for the 1st day of Minority Enterprise Development Month Visit: https://tinyurl.com/liaacc2025upcomingevent