As a long-time leader in economic empowerment and small business development, I am the founding president of New York City’s newest chamber of commerce with the formation of the New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (NYCMSBCC).
As a child growing up in the Marcy NYCHA housing development, I learned the power of community. I was raised by my aunt Rev. Frances Virginia Young, who was pastor of Grace Gospel Tabernacle, a branch of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle.
One of the things we learned from my aunt was the importance of gathering the people of the neighborhood together to impart essential values and virtues that would empower the community.
Roots were important then, as they are now!
I am eager to start sharing my wisdom on economic development through strategic planning, and am inspired by all that will be done. Consensus entails that communication is done in such a manner that it inspires the community to work together in a spirit of harmony to reach its audacious goals. Ideas are not only sources of pleasure, but are sources of power.
I owe a special tribute to my high school English teacher Mrs. Woopie, who told me I had an uncanny ability to write. She encouraged me to read everything from A to Z and I listened!
Who would of thought that a young man from a public housing development would go on to be the president of the the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., New York State's largest African American Chamber of Commerce, or the founding president of the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc., African American Small Business Foundation, Inc., and founding president of The New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc.?
New York City has one of the highest concentrations of African Americans in the country. It stands to reason that if highly capable leaders in the areas of economic mobility, small business development and community development return to their roots the community can revitalize and spur a new movement for economic development creating prosperity for all!
Through the creation of this new chamber of commerce, I plan to help grow the scope and size of minority-owned businesses in New York City, facilitate greater access to capital, mentor the next generation of business owners, and host procurement seminars and workshops. I will also help small businesses to get certified through local, regional and national certification bodies and prepare them to navigate contracting opportunities.
Chambers of commerce were initially formed to be lobbyists for large corporations. Over time, chambers began to work with smaller companies. In communities across America, small businesses became known to be the backbone of communities. Advocacy is still an important component of what chambers provide today, as laws and regulations imposed upon small businesses often impede a business’ ability to operate.
Calvin Coolidge, president of the U.S. from 1923 to 1929, was famously known for his belief in limited government. He was a strong advocate for limited government, federalism and fiscal restraint, believing that private enterprise and individual responsibility, not federal action, were the engines of prosperity. He was deeply wary of expanding the power of government, arguing it would lead to inefficiency and harm the public's liberty and finances. Today, these government issues still exist and at the New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc., we plan to be a leading advocate for small businesses on issues that matter to their well-being and prosperity.
The chamber works with multiple city and state agencies to solve a myriad of issues. One of our most popular programs is “I Am Certified, Now What,” which provides small business owners with ongoing support. We have relationships with large companies such as ADP, which can provide small business reduced rates on workman’s compensation and other insurances which are required when smaller companies receive contracts. We also have partners that provide access to capital, and the chamber will facilitate one-on-one meetings with financial lenders. On more than one occasion, we have had calls from small businesses regarding building issues and we have sent letters to the building department to help them solve problems around getting the proper permits to open their brick- and-mortar businesses.
Brooklyn is one of the key areas we will focus on: for one, I am a Brooklyn native and the borough has the largest number of African Americans in the city. I believe a strong presence in Brooklyn will attract agencies who are looking to do business with minority-owned businesses, and the chamber will work to prepare these businesses grow to scale. We know it will not happen overnight, but we are prepared to go the distance.
A quote by the late Percy Sutton continues to inspire me: “All of my life I have had access to people of ability, I believe anything is possible, if one has access to people of ability, and access to capital.” This quote led to my first partnership in becoming the founding vice president of the Haircut Hut barbershop franchise. Let listening be your watch word!
Phil Andrews, a Brooklyn native, is the founder of the New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc., which fosters trade and commerce with an emphasis on minority business owners.
