This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author’s own.Community leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and residents from across the region gathered at Adelphi University for the Homegrown Heroes of Long Island celebration, an inspiring evening recognizing individualsGarden City, NY — April 4th, 2026 — Community leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and residents from across the region gathered at Adelphi University for the Homegrown Heroes of Long Island celebration, an inspiring evening recognizing individuals whose leadership, service, and professional achievements continue to make a lasting impact across Long Island and New York. The event highlighted the achievements of 38 honorees from business, education, law, medicine, public service, social work, and the arts. Find out what’s happening in Across New Yorkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.The event was co-hosted by the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc., the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc., and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., three organizations whose collaborative work focuses on economic empowerment, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and community development across the region. The Importance of the Partnership: The collaboration between 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. represents a strategic alliance designed to build economic ecosystems, leadership pipelines, and generational wealth opportunities. Find out what’s happening in Across New Yorkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.Event organizers emphasized that collaboration between business organizations, mentoring organizations, and nonprofit foundations is critical to strengthening communities and expanding access to capital, education, and professional networks. The Homegrown Heroes initiative was created not only to recognize excellence but to demonstrate that successful leaders are being developed within the Long Island community, creating visible role models for future generations. About the Curator – Shirley Darkeh: The Homegrown Heroes exhibit and celebration was curated by Shirley Darkeh, a respected Long Island community leader, cultural curator, and historian who has spent decades documenting and preserving African American history and leadership on Long Island. Her work has focused on highlighting community leaders whose contributions have had lasting social, cultural, and economic impact. Darkeh has also been involved in youth development, community engagement initiatives, and cultural preservation projects throughout Long Island. Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. – The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce works to empower the African American community socially, culturally, and economically through access to capital, business education, technical assistance, advocacy, and community engagement to sustain viable business ecosystems. African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. – The African American Small Business Foundation, Inc., the chamber’s charitable arm, supports initiatives that expand entrepreneurship, economic mobility, small business development, and community advancement through programs, grants, and educational initiatives. 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. -100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. focuses on mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment through its nationally recognized programmatic model designed to prepare youth and communities for long-term success. To view upcoming Chamber of Commerce events visit: liaacc.org/events-list/#!event-list To learn more about how you may support the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. visit: zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/annual-fundraising-campaign-to-empower-the-african-american-community Left to Right: Phil Andrews, President of Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Founding President of African American Small Business Foundation, and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce and Rose Ward Vice President of the Long Island African American Chamber of CommerceRose Ward: Rose Ward serves as Vice President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce and is a business consultant and SCORE counselor who works with entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them start, grow, and scale their businesses. Her work focuses on entrepreneurship development, access to capital readiness, and business sustainability, and she has helped support numerous small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs throughout the Long Island region. She has been a strong advocate for economic empowerment initiatives and programs that support generational wealth building through entrepreneurship. Phil Andrews: Phil Andrews is the President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and the Founding President of the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. He has spent decades building organizations and initiatives focused on economic development, mentorship, and business growth. Andrews has led initiatives focused on access to capital, procurement opportunities, youth mentorship, and small business development, and has helped position Long Island as a hub for minority business growth and leadership development. Media Coverage The Homegrown Heroes of Long Island event received media coverage and publication through multiple media and press platforms, including: Patch.com (Across New York and Across America editions) Black PR Wire LIAACC.org News & Media Newsday Media coverage highlighted the event’s focus on economic empowerment, mentorship, leadership development, and community impact. Conclusion – “Homegrown Heroes” of Long Island continues to grow as a signature regional event recognizing leadership, service, entrepreneurship, and community impact. The collaboration between 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. demonstrates the power of partnership in building stronger communities, expanding economic opportunity, and preparing the next generation of leaders.Organizers noted that Homegrown Heroes is more than an awards program it is a movement focused on recognizing excellence, building networks, and strengthening Long Island’s economic and leadership ecosystem for future generations. The views expressed in this post are the author’s own. Want to post on Patch? Register for a user account.



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