New Push To Help LI Women Grow Businesses, Build Connections

LONG ISLAND, NY — Raquel Washington started building her own business after more than two decades in corporate leadership and professional development, largely on her own, but she wanted a community.

That search eventually led the Valley Stream resident to the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, or LIAACC, where, less than a year after joining, she has been tapped to lead the revival of an initiative aimed at giving other women the connections and support she once sought herself.

Washington, founder and CEO of Innovate Learning Solutions, LLC, was recently appointed chair of Ladies of LIAACC "Women Who Shine," the chamber's initiative for women entrepreneurs, executives, professionals and emerging business leaders.

The organization has been dormant for more than two years, Washington told Patch. Now, she and a developing leadership committee are working toward a full relaunch, with a major kickoff planned for October.

“Many are still looking for meaningful relationships, not just networking, but actually building lasting relationships, supporting one another, and helping each other grow our businesses,” Washington said. “And that's one of the key goals: empower, connect, and elevate women.”

Washington joined LIAACC less than a year ago after deciding she needed a stronger business network of her own.

She lives in Valley Stream and initially considered joining the local chamber of commerce, she said, but kept hearing about LIAACC

“I need a community because I myself was operating as an individual, building my business,” Washington said of what led her to the chamber.

Her involvement eventually caught the attention of LIAACC President Phil Andrews. Washington's more than 20 years of leadership-development experience and creation of the women's professional organization Women Who Innovate made her a candidate to rebuild Ladies of LIAACC, she said.

The renewed initiative will be open broadly to women across Long Island, regardless of race or whether they are established business owners, just beginning their entrepreneurial journeys, working as professionals or leading nonprofit organizations.

“It's not just about Black and Brown; it's about all women coming together,” Washington said.

Building The Relaunch

The October kickoff is still being developed, Washington said, while organizers establish the initiative's leadership structure and determine its programming.

The committee being assembled includes women with backgrounds in education, ministry, procurement, workforce development, coaching and nonprofit work, she said.

Washington said the group's planned programming will focus heavily on professional and business development.

One area she particularly wants to emphasize is artificial intelligence.

Washington, whose career included work with major technology and financial firms, said women entrepreneurs need to understand how to use rapidly developing AI tools in practical ways to strengthen their companies.

“We're bringing AI to the women in business, making sure they are leveraging AI to grow their business,” she said.

Other plans include professional-development workshops, networking training, upskilling, leadership development, member business spotlights and resources aimed at helping entrepreneurs grow.

Washington also wants Ladies of LIAACC to work with teenagers and young adults through mentoring, develop community partnerships and give members more opportunities to collaborate.

Service, she said, will also be central to the group.

Some members of the developing committee already operate their own schools, television programs and other platforms, Washington said, and she wants to use the network to provide women greater visibility for the work they are doing.

Details including any cost associated with the October event are still being finalized. An exact October date is expected to be announced through LIAACC.

Before then, Washington said a minority business networking event is scheduled for Sept. 1 in Elmhurst, where the chamber plans to announce the Ladies of LIAACC relaunch. Additional details about that event are expected to be released.

'Women Doing It Alone'

Washington said one of the biggest barriers she sees for women entrepreneurs is not necessarily a lack of ambition, but a lack of infrastructure and community around them.

“One of the biggest challenges, I would say, is women doing it alone and not having the community support to help them grow,” Washington said.

Washington spent more than two decades in learning and development, beginning her career in banking, where her work included recruiting and onboarding employees. She later worked at Washington Mutual, which became part of JPMorgan Chase, Turner Broadcasting and other financial and capital-markets organizations.

Much of her corporate career, she said, centered on developing employees, strengthening organizations and helping companies improve performance and revenue.

She left corporate work less than two years ago and launched Innovate Learning Solutions, a consulting company focused on learning, leadership and organizational development.

While she still works with larger organizations, Washington said her passion is helping small businesses reach another level.

Additional Barriers For Black Women

Asked specifically about challenges confronting Black women in business, Washington said the obstacles can extend beyond simply finding a network.

“Black women have to go above and beyond to prove themselves, to prove value,” she said.

Washington said she experienced that herself in both corporate settings and entrepreneurship.

“When I would share my experience, people would actually not believe me,” Washington said.

Washington said she hears similar experiences from other Black women seeking contracts, clients and corporate opportunities.

“It's almost like there's almost a wall there until they break it down versus open doors like others may have,” she said.

That makes building networks where entrepreneurs can share knowledge, referrals and opportunities even more important, she said.

Measuring More Than Attendance

Washington said she does not want the success of Ladies of LIAACC measured solely by how many people attend an event.

She identified three major measures she intends to watch: growth in LIAACC membership, whether participants feel more supported and confident in their businesses, and whether members experience actual business growth.

“Actual business growth, whether that is new customers or could be opening up a new brick and mortar,” she said.

Washington said her ambitions for the initiative extend considerably beyond its first October event.

Within a year, she wants Ladies of LIAACC to become a recognizable name throughout Long Island and establish partnerships with major organizations and corporations that could eventually sponsor events and programming.

She also raised the possibility of developing a permanent physical space as the organization expands.

“I have big goals,” Washington said.