October 9, 2014
The Hempstead/Unioridale Times
www hutimes corn
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flL [wc 1 Community ProflIe ERW can American community in the coun ties of Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Kings will experience significant growth in the size, structure and type of businesses that African Americans own in the region that we currently serve and operate.
Hempstead Uniondale Times (HUT) Inter views Phil Andrews, President ofLong Is land African American Chamber of Com merce, inc.
HUT: When was the Long Island Afri can American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. founded?
HUT: Is Minority Business Certifica tion a priority of your administration?
Andrews: The Long Island African
American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. was founded in 2010. HUT: What is the mission of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.? Andrews: “The Mission of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., is to advance and pro mote economic development for busi ness, and to advance responsive govern ment and quality education on the be half of all small businesses, with em phasis on African Ancestry, while pre serving the Long Island community”. Long Island means the New York State counties on Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Kings. A Chamber of Commerce is one of the most well known and recog nizable organizations in the country chartered to stimulate business in local and regional areas where they are desig nated to serve. HUT: What do you consider a priority of the Chamber of Commerce at this
Andrews: Yes, Minority Business Cer tification offers a level of business growth that unparalleled for African Americans. Andrews: One of our priorities is the increase the number of Minority Owned Businesses that can compete for Private Sector and Government contracts. HUT: Why should a business or profes sional service provider join the Cham ber of Commerce? Andrews: The Chamber of Commerce will serve as a Board of Trade, Profes sional Network, and provide a directory of African American Owned Busi nesses. HUT: What do you enjoy most about serving as President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Com merce, Inc.? Andrews: I enjoy the fact knowing that the business infrastructure of the AM-
HUT: What is the first step for business owners looking to be certified as a mi nority? We believe joining the Andrews: Chamber of Commerce is a crucial first step in the process, as it is one of our major goals for incorporating such an organization in alignment with Gover nor Andrew Cuomo’s goal of 20% setaside for minority business owners in New York State. HUT: Why has the Chamber imple mented a monthly Business Card Ex change? Andrews: The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.’s monthly Business Card Exchange is designed to help facilitate trade and fct,r 1-uic,npc
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of channels such as networking events, informational sessions, access to capi tal, and technical assistance. HUT: How can interested business own ers and professionals contact the Cham ber of Commerce regarding Minority Business Certification, Membership and upcoming events of the Chamber? Andrews: Simply email us @ info@liaacc.com and our communica tions committee wifi respond to your request asap! HUT: If corporations are interested in developing a partnership with the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. what steps should they take to get onboard? Andrews: Corporations looking to work with the Chamber of Commerce can simply email us at info@liaacc.com Andrews: You may email the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. @ info@liaacc.com or via facebook @ www.facebook.com/ longislandafricanamericanchamber HUT: Mr. Andrews, it has been a pleasure interview with you? Andrews: Thank you, we look forward to working with a fine publication such as the Hempstead Uniondale Times. —