Donors and Community Leaders Invited to Support and Attend a Groundbreaking Celebration at the Adelphi Performing Arts Center
Garden City, NY – With just two weeks remaining, excitement is building for Homegrown Heroes on Long Island, a groundbreaking celebration honoring visionary leaders who are shaping the future of Long Island through entrepreneurship, advocacy, public service, and community empowerment.
The highly anticipated event will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the prestigious Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, bringing together business executives, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across the region.
To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/homegrown-heroes-of-long-island
About: Curator – Mrs. Darkeh’s lifelong service has been recognized with numerous honors, which are documented in the American Biographical Institute, Second Edition. A trailblazer in both the corporate and public sectors, Mrs. Darkeh was also the first African American woman to work in the Accounting Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and later served
as comptroller for Reed Roberts, Inc.
Her pioneering spirit continued in 1966 when she became the founding Director of Management Information at the Charles Drew
Neighborhood Health Center, where she designed and implemented one of the nation’s earliest computerized patient identification and
billing systems—an achievement well ahead of its time.
In 2003, Mrs. Darkeh curated and directed Promises Made, Promises Kept, a landmark photographic exhibition honoring distinguished
African American women of Long Island. Premiering at Nassau Community College, the exhibit toured colleges and libraries
throughout Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties.
As the creator and curator of this new exhibition, Mrs. Darkeh embodies the spirit of Homegrown Hero of Long Island a woman
whose legacy was not imported, but cultivated; whose impact was not distant, but deeply rooted; and whose life’s work continues to shape
the cultural landscape of the community she calls home.
Homegrown Heroes is more than an awards program it is a movement designed to spotlight excellence, inspire collaboration, and mobilize economic empowerment throughout Long Island. The African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. (AASBF) is entering 2026 with historic momentum, transitioning from a regional powerhouse to a nationally recognized leader in economic equity. Fresh off a wave of national media coverage from Essence, Black Enterprise, and Afrotech, the Foundation is now issuing a call to action for donors and stakeholders to support its inaugural “Homegrown Heroes of Long Island” celebration on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Adelphi University.
A Growing National Voice for Equity
The Foundation’s work in closing systemic gaps has recently captured the attention of the country’s most influential Black media platforms. Recognition from Essence, Black Enterprise, and Afrotech underscores AASBF’s success in moving the needle on capital access, technical literacy, and inclusive procurement, and displaying homegrown heroes to inspire this generation and generations into the future.
“Being featured on national stages like Afrotech and Essence affirms that our model—local, intentional, and community-driven—is the blueprint for the future,” said Phil Andrews, Founding President of the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. “We aren’t just discussing the wealth gap; we are actively closing it by building a sustainable economic engine right here on Long Island.”
The Power of the “Homegrown Hero”
The upcoming Homegrown Heroes of Long Island event, held in partnership with the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc., 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., is more than a fundraiser. It is a strategic acknowledgment of the entrepreneurs and leaders who stayed, built, and thrived in their own backyards.
Acknowledging “homegrown” talent is vital for the current generation, as it provides visible proof that success does not require an exit from one’s community. For future generations, it establishes a lineage of leadership, ensuring that the next wave of founders has a floor of support rather than a ceiling of systemic barriers.
Why Attend Homegrown Heroes 2026?
⭐ Celebrate Proven Leadership
Honorees represent the very best of Long Island individuals whose work in business development, civic engagement, media, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy has made measurable impact in our communities.
🤝 Network with Decision-Makers
The event convenes influential stakeholders from across Nassau and Suffolk counties, providing a rare opportunity for meaningful connections and partnership-building.
📈 Invest in Community Impact
Proceeds from the event support initiatives that strengthen minority-owned businesses, expand access to capital, provide mentorship, and foster sustainable economic growth.
🎭 Experience a Premier Venue
Held at the state-of-the-art Adelphi Performing Arts Center, attendees will enjoy a polished, professional program in one of Long Island’s most distinguished cultural venues.
🌍 Be Part of a Historic Moment
Homegrown Heroes continues to grow as a signature regional celebration of excellence — positioning Long Island as a hub for innovation, leadership, and inclusive economic development.
A Call to Donors & Sponsors
Community investment is critical to the continued success of Homegrown Heroes. Corporate sponsors, philanthropic partners, and individual donors are encouraged to:
- Sponsor honorees and program segments
- Purchase tickets
- Support youth and emerging entrepreneur participation
- Make tax-deductible contributions to sustain ongoing initiatives
Your support directly fuels programs that empower small businesses, cultivate leadership pipelines, and advance economic equity across Long Island.
Event Details
Homegrown Heroes on Long Island
📅 Saturday, March 14, 2026
📍3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
📍 Adelphi University Performing Arts Center
One South Avenue, Garden City, NY
🎟 Tickets & Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now
To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/homegrown-heroes-of-long-island
About Homegrown Heroes on Long Island: Homegrown Heroes was established to honor individuals whose dedication and leadership are transforming Long Island’s economic and social landscape. The annual event brings together cross-sector leadership to celebrate impact, elevate visibility for changemakers, and strengthen regional collaboration.
With two weeks to go, organizers urge the community not to miss this landmark gathering.
Support. Attend. Celebrate. Invest in Long Island’s Future.
