National Headlines, Local Legends: Foundation Scales Impact as"Hometown Heroes" Event Approaches

GARDEN CITY, NY — February 3, 2026 — The African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. (AASBF) is entering 2026 with historic momentum, transitioning from a regional powerhouse to a nationally recognized leader in economic equity. Fresh off a wave of national media coverage from Essence, Black Enterprise, and Afrotech, the Foundation is now issuing a call to action for donors and stakeholders to support its inaugural "Homegrown Heroes of Long Island" celebration on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Adelphi University Performing Arts Center.

Event Details

• What: Homegrown Heroes of Long Island Fundraising Celebration
• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
• When: Saturday, March 14, 2026, | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Levels of Support: Visionary ($100), Benefactor ($75), Champion ($50), Supporter ($25), Friend of the Cause ($20).

Join the movement and secure your ticket(s) today at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ti...

Mrs. Shirley Darkeh is an artist, curator, entrepreneur, poet, and lifelong community advocate whose six decades of leadership and service have profoundly shaped Long Island’s cultural landscape. Mrs. Darkeh is the curator of Homegrown Hereos of Long Island. Mrs. Darkeh amplified African American voices and history.

She also hosted Community News and Views on WHLI AM Radio, advocated for civic engagement, and in 1990 founded Project Pride—a self-development program for youth—serving as Executive Director and mentor to countless young people. Recently, she completed her term as a trustee at the Westbury Public Library. Mrs. Darkeh’s lifelong service has been recognized with numerous honors, which are documented in the American Biographical Institute, Second Edition.

A trailblazer in both the corporate and public sectors, Mrs. Darkeh was also the first African American woman to work in the Accounting Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and later served as comptroller for Reed Roberts, Inc.

Her pioneering spirit continued in 1966 when she became the founding Director of Management Information at the Charles Drew Neighborhood Health Center, where she designed and implemented one of the nation’s earliest computerized patient identification and billing systems—an achievement well ahead of its time.

In 2003, Mrs. Darkeh curated and directed Promises Made, Promises Kept, a landmark photographic exhibition honoring distinguished African American women of Long Island. Premiering at Nassau Community College, the exhibit toured colleges and libraries throughout Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties.

As the creator and curator of this new exhibition, Mrs. Darkeh embodies the spirit of Homegrown Hero of Long Island—a woman whose legacy was not imported, but cultivated; whose impact was not distant, but deeply rooted; and whose life’s work continues to shape the cultural landscape of the community she calls home.

A Growing National Voice for Equity

The Foundation’s work in closing systemic gaps has recently captured the attention of the country’s most influential Black media platforms. Recognition from Essence, Black Enterprise, and Afrotech underscores AASBF’s success in moving the needle on capital access, technical literacy, and inclusive procurement, and displaying homegrown heroes to inspire this generation and generations into the future.

“Being featured on national stages like Afrotech and Essence affirms that our model local, intentional, and community-driven is the blueprint for the future,” said Phil Andrews, Founding President of the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. “We aren't just discussing the wealth gap; we are actively closing it by building a sustainable economic engine right here on Long Island.”

The Power of the "Homegrown Hero"

The upcoming Homegrown Heroes of Long Island event, held in partnership with the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., is more than a fundraiser. It is a strategic acknowledgment of the entrepreneurs and leaders who stayed, built, and thrived in their own backyards.

Acknowledging "homegrown" talent is vital for the current generation, as it provides visible proof that success does not require an exit from one's community. For future generations, it establishes a lineage of leadership, ensuring that the next wave of founders has a floor of support rather than a ceiling of systemic barriers.

The Case for Continued Support

While national headlines provide visibility, local donor support provides the "fuel." Every dollar raised at the Homegrown Heroes event directly funds:

• Generational Wealth programs and events: Business education and micro-grants for emerging founders.
• The Advocacy Pipeline: Ensuring minority-owned firms are at the table for multi-million-dollar state and regional contracts.
• Youth Entrepreneurship: Investing in the high school and college students who will be the "Heroes" in the future.”

“Homegrown Heroes is about recognizing that our community’s greatest assets are the people already standing next to us,” added Rose Ward, Vice President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce. “Investing in this foundation is an investment in the families, neighborhoods, and regional stability of Long Island for decades to come.”

Event Details

• What: Homegrown Heroes of Long Island Fundraising Celebration
• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
• When: Saturday, March 14, 2026, | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Levels of Support: Visionary ($100), Benefactor ($75), Champion ($50), Supporter ($25), Friend of the Cause ($20).

Join the movement and secure your tickets today at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/homegrown-heroes-of-long-island

About: The African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. - The African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic equity. Through education, advocacy, and access to capital, the Foundation empowers minority and underserved entrepreneurs to build sustainable, job-creating enterprises across New York.