“Building Legacy, Expanding Opportunity, and Advancing Minority Enterprise” Announced as the 2026 Theme
First Day of Activities Scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026
GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK — The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (LIAACC) is proud to announce its 2026 Minority Enterprise Development Month celebration, a month-long initiative recognizing the achievements, economic contributions, innovation, and resilience of minority-owned businesses throughout Long Island, New York City, and the surrounding region.
The theme for MED Month 2026 is:
“Building Legacy, Expanding Opportunity, and Advancing Minority Enterprise”
The 2027 theme reflects LIAACC’s commitment to helping minority entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, establish generational wealth, secure access to capital, pursue government and corporate contracting opportunities, and develop enterprises that can thrive for generations.
The first day of MED Month 2026 activities is scheduled for:
Thursday, October 8th, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Town of Hempstead Pavilion
One Washington Street
Hempstead, New York 11550
Click on link here to register: 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
The opening program is expected to bring together minority and women-owned business enterprises, corporate executives, government representatives, financial institutions, procurement professionals, business-development organizations, community leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The evening will feature professional networking, business recognition, keynote presentations, supplier-diversity information, access-to-capital resources, procurement opportunities, technical-assistance providers, and presentations from organizations committed to strengthening minority enterprise.
A National Tradition of Minority Business Recognition
Minority Enterprise Development Week has been nationally recognized since 1983, when the federal government began formally highlighting the important contributions of minority-owned businesses to the American economy.
The national observance has historically been supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. MED activities recognize the critical role minority businesses play in creating jobs, introducing innovative products and services, revitalizing communities, strengthening local economies, and developing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
LIAACC expanded the observance into Minority Enterprise Development Month to provide additional opportunities throughout October for education, networking, business recognition, resource development, and economic empowerment.
Building on a History of Successful MED Activities
The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce has developed a strong tradition of presenting Minority Enterprise Development programs throughout the region.
In 2021, LIAACC hosted its inaugural Minority Enterprise Development Week launch at Hempstead Town Hall, creating a regional platform for minority entrepreneurs, public officials, business advocates, and community stakeholders.
In 2023, MED Week activities were expanded through multiple days of programming on Long Island. The programs focused on fueling the growth of minority-owned businesses throughout downstate New York and connecting entrepreneurs with resources, strategic relationships, and economic opportunities.
Subsequent MED programs have included:
- Minority and women-owned business recognition ceremonies
- Small-business workshops and panel discussions
- Access-to-capital and financial-readiness presentations
- Government and corporate procurement information
- Supplier-diversity opportunities
- Business networking receptions
- Keynote presentations from accomplished business and community leaders
- Technical assistance and capacity-building resources
- Strategic introductions to financial institutions and economic-development partners
- Recognition of entrepreneurs making an impact in their communities
LIAACC’s 2026 MED Month theme, “From Access to Ownership,” emphasizes moving minority entrepreneurs beyond simply gaining access to business resources and toward building ownership, assets, sustainability, and long-term economic power.
MED Month 2026 will build upon that message by encouraging business owners to create enduring companies, pursue larger opportunities, establish succession plans, develop the next generation of entrepreneurs, and leave a lasting economic legacy.
Creating a Stronger Minority Business Ecosystem
“Minority Enterprise Development Month is both a celebration and a call to action,” said Phil Andrews, President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. “Minority-owned businesses are creating jobs, strengthening communities, and contributing to the growth of our regional economy. Our responsibility is to make certain that these entrepreneurs have access to capital, contracts, education, technology, professional networks, and the strategic resources required to build sustainable enterprises.”
Andrews added, “Our 2026 theme, ‘Building Legacy, Expanding Opportunity, and Advancing Minority Enterprise,’ represents the next stage of our work. We want entrepreneurs to build businesses that are prepared to grow, compete, create generational wealth, and remain successful for generations.”
Ann Dumay, Nassau County Director of LIAACC, stated, “MED Month provides an important platform for recognizing the determination and accomplishments of minority entrepreneurs. It also allows us to connect business owners with the people, programs, and institutions that can help them move forward. We look forward to presenting meaningful activities that promote collaboration, education, and measurable business growth.”
Rose Ward, Vice President of LIAACC, stated, “Minority entrepreneurs possess tremendous talent, creativity, and determination. MED Month allows us to celebrate those strengths while addressing the barriers that continue to affect access to capital, contracts, information, and business relationships. Through education and partnership, we can help more businesses become financially prepared, operationally strong, and positioned for long-term success.”
Planned Activities for MED Month 2026
Throughout October 2026, LIAACC plans to present and support activities addressing several critical areas of minority business development, including:
- Access to capital and financial preparedness
- Government contracting and certification
- Corporate supplier-diversity opportunities
- Business planning and capacity building
- Marketing, branding, and digital technology
- Artificial intelligence and emerging business tools
- Entrepreneurship and generational wealth
- Leadership development and succession planning
- Professional networking and strategic partnerships
- Recognition of outstanding minority-owned businesses
Corporations, financial institutions, government agencies, municipalities, colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, procurement professionals, exhibitors, vendors, sponsors, speakers, and community partners are invited to participate in the 2026 celebration.
Call for Sponsors, Partners, Vendors, and Participants
LIAACC is seeking corporate sponsors, government partners, exhibitors, vendors, financial institutions, resource organizations, speakers, and community stakeholders to support MED Month 2026.
Sponsorship and partnership participation will provide organizations with opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to supplier diversity, minority entrepreneurship, community investment, equitable economic development, and small-business growth.
Minority and women-owned businesses are encouraged to attend, exhibit, network, pursue strategic relationships, and take advantage of the information and resources that will be presented throughout the month.
About the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. – Founded in 2010, the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is one of New York State’s leading organizations supporting African American, minority-owned, and small businesses.
Headquartered in Garden City, New York, the Chamber provides business education, technical assistance, advocacy, professional networking, leadership development, access-to-capital information, procurement resources, and connections to government, corporate, nonprofit, and community partners.
Over the course of its history, LIAACC has assisted more than 1,500 businesses and entrepreneurs and has presented hundreds of workshops, conferences, networking programs, business clinics, recognition ceremonies, and economic-empowerment initiatives.
The Chamber’s signature and historical programs include Minority Enterprise Development Week and Month, National Small Business Week activities, the Annual Black History Month Program, the Ladies of LIAACC “Women Who Shine” Awards, the “Who’s Who” One Night Only Gala, regional chamber leadership conferences, small-business boot camps, procurement programs, membership drives, and entrepreneurial-development initiatives.
LIAACC remains committed to helping minority-owned businesses start, grow, compete, create jobs, secure contracts, build wealth, and contribute to the economic vitality of New York State.
Media and Partnership Information: Email: info@liaacc.org
Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
1225 Franklin Avenue, Suite 325
Garden City, New York 11530
Website: www.liaacc.org
Membership: www.liaacc.org/join-liaacc
