“Homegrown Heroes” of Long Island Celebrates Local Impact and Inspires the Next Generation

Garden City, NY — March 14, 2026 — The Homegrown Heroes of Long Island celebration, held at Adelphi University on March 14, 2026, brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and residents to celebrate individuals whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact across Long Island.

The event highlighted the achievements of 38 honorees from fields including business, education, law, medicine, public service, social work, and the arts, etc.

The Homegrown Heroes exhibit and celebration was curated by community advocate and historian Shirley Darkeh, whose work documenting and preserving local African American history and leadership has helped ensure that the stories of Long Island’s leaders are recognized and shared with future generations.

The event focused on mentorship, economic empowerment, networking, and building leadership pipelines for the next generation. The program emphasized the importance of closing the information gap by connecting communities to resources such as access to capital, business development programs, and professional networks.

“Homegrown Heroes is about building legacy, recognizing those who have paved the way, and inspiring the next generation to understand that success can be built right here in our communities,” said Phil Andrews, President of 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc.

Event Partners

The Homegrown Heroes celebration was supported by several regional organizations committed to economic development, mentorship, and community advancement, including:

• Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
• 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc.
• African American Small Business Foundation, Inc.

These organizations work collaboratively to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, youth development, and community leadership initiatives throughout Long Island and the New York region.

About: Event Partners: Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest African American chambers in New York State, serving hundreds of businesses and entrepreneurs.

The chamber provides technical assistance, business training, networking opportunities, access to capital programs, procurement assistance, and professional development programs designed to help businesses grow and scale. The chamber also hosts regional conferences, small business boot camps, and leadership development initiatives.

100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. - 100 Black Men of Eastern New York is a nonprofit mentoring and leadership development organization focused on education, health and wellness, economic empowerment, and mentoring. The organization serves communities throughout Eastern New York, including Long Island and New York City, and is part of the national 100 Black Men of America network. Through mentoring, education initiatives, and leadership programs, the organization works to improve outcomes for youth and communities.

African American Small Business Foundation, Inc.
The African American Small Business Foundation provides education, business development support, technical assistance, and economic empowerment programs for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The foundation works to expand access to resources, training, and opportunities for underserved businesses and plays a key role in supporting economic development initiatives and community-based business programs.

About Homegrown Heroes of Long Island: Homegrown Heroes of Long Island is an exhibit and recognition program that honors professionals and leaders who have made significant contributions to Long Island through their careers, community service, and leadership. The initiative highlights local success stories to inspire young people, promote mentorship, and demonstrate the impact of leadership, education, entrepreneurship, and community collaboration.