FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Date: | September 22, 2023 |
| Contact: | Stacey Sikes, Vice President of Government Affairs & Communications |
| Long Island Association | |
| ssikes@longislandassociation.org |
The Long Island Association, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Long Island University Announce Launch of Survey for Region’s Minority Business Community
Melville, NY – Today, the Long Island Association (LIA), Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC), Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC), and Long Island University’s Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis (Hornstein Center), announced the launch of the “Long Island Minority Small Business Survey” designed to better understand the current challenges facing minority-owned enterprises operating on Long Island.
This survey builds upon the work of the joint initiative between the LIA, LIAACC, and LIHCC to
support inclusive regional economic growth through a grant the LIA Foundation received from the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) earlier this year. The LIA Foundation recently issued a new mission statement, set of goals, and webpage as the separate 501c(3) continues to seek opportunities to support the well-being of all Long Island communities. A detailed description of the LICF grant program is on the webpage as well as a list of the LIA Foundation Board of Directors. It can be accessed here: https://www.longislandassociation.org/foundation/.
The Hornstein Center at Long Island University is conducting the “Long Island Minority Small Business Survey” on a pro-bono basis and the results will be compared to national small business trends. The institution is represented on the LIA Board by Dr. Kimberly Cline, Long Island University President. The survey is accepting responses until Friday, October 13, 2023.
Please see below for survey links:
- English version: Live survey link and PDF document
- Spanish version: Live survey link and PDF document
Luis Vazquez, President of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and LIA Board Member, said, “We believe that the voice of Long Island Hispanic small businesses is essential in shaping a recovery strategy post-pandemic. Each survey response is a vital piece of understanding the unique challenges this community faces and the support they require. Their insights will drive initiatives and empower us to foster and environment where Hispanic small businesses can thrive again.”
Phil Andrews, President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce and LIA Board Member, said, “This data will help our organizations better understand challenges minority small businesses are experiencing right now, so we can assess how we can design our programs to meet their specific needs and ensure their success in our communities.”
Dr. Andy Person, Chief of Strategy and Advancement at Long Island University, said, “The Steven S. Hornstein Center for Polling, Policy, and Analysis at Long Island University is proud to provide custom polling and research to support this important project to help Long Island’s economic growth and prosperity reach its full potential.”
Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones, Program Director at the Long Island Community Foundation, said, “Long Island’s economic vitality is significantly hindered by racial wealth gaps. We know that small businesses are the cornerstone of healthy, thriving, equitable neighborhoods. And we know that minority-owned businesses could help close the racial wealth gap by offering business owners income, independence, and economic mobility. We appreciate our partnership with the Long Island Association and the African American and Hispanic Chambers and applaud the release of this survey which will ensure interventions and resources are informed by and targeting the unique needs of entrepreneurs of color.”
For a picture of Luis Vazquez, Matt Cohen, and Phil Andrews (L to R), click here.
About the Long Island Association
The Long Island Association (LIA) is the region’s leading non-profit and non-partisan business organization since 1926 and amplifies the voice of the business community. The LIA works to ensure the region’s economic vitality - Long Island’s future is our business. www.longislandassociation.org
About the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce
The mission of LIAACC is to advance and promote the economic development for business and to advocate responsive government and quality education, on behalf of all small businesses, with an emphasis on African Ancestry, while preserving the unique characteristics of the Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn Counties that serve our membership. https://liaacc.org/
About the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1988 to serve the needs of the Long Island minority owned small business community. LIHCC serves both Nassau and Suffolk County, making it the only bi-county Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Long Island. https://lihcc.org/
About the Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis
The Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis conducts custom polling and market research for organizations, policymakers, and the public to improve engagement, decision making, and performance on a wide range of issues. Join our American Opinion Panel and let your voice be heard at liu.edu/american-opinion-panel. Your opinions matter.
###
-
Stacey Sikes VP Government Affairs & Communications
- September 22, 2023
- (631) 493-3000
- Send Email