The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC) was founded in October 2010 by John L. Scott and describes itself as the largest African American chamber of commerce in New York State. It serves Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings counties, with a focus on businesses of African ancestry while supporting all small businesses.
The LIAACC supports members through advocacy, access to capital, technical assistance, education, and capacity building. It hosts business-to-business networking events and signature programs such as an African American Small Business Expo and a Black History Month Art Exhibition, and it has run a small business bootcamp with SUNY Old Westbury. In 2019, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s New York District named it a Small Business Champion.
The LIAACC is a great fit for Black-owned and minority-owned businesses seeking support, connections, and advocacy, and for organizations that want to partner with Long Island’s diverse business community.
Membership involves dues, and the chamber’s reach extends into Queens and Brooklyn, so some events take place outside Nassau and Suffolk. For detailed business advising, members may also want to use free resources like the SBDCs.
For Black entrepreneurs on Long Island, the LIAACC offers advocacy and a network focused on expanding access to capital and opportunities.