Nationwide — The Southeast Queens Chamber of Commerce is leading their membership into millions. Jamaica, Queens houses the two largest airports in NY – both JFK and LaGuardia airports. The chamber is not stopping there only but is also joining forces with AMAC, Airport Minority Advisory Council to cast a wider net for minorities to get MWBE & ACDBE certified to succeed in airport concessions and sales.To date, these certifications have not meant much to Black people, because even when they get these certificates they often are still excluded from operating concessions because the costs and assets needed to get into the airports are still too high.
The ACDBE (Airport Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) states that one’s assets should not be more than $1.32 million but the airport developers often ask for way more than that, especially in New York and they usually get away with excluding people of color.
The SEQ Chamber has planned a Matchmaking Holiday Market at their headquarters at 115-42 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, ten minutes away from JFK Airport. The ‘winter wonderland’ themed holiday market will match local business enterprises with airport developers.
Dr. Roxanne Simone Lord, President of the SEQ Chamber comments, “Airport concessions provide overlooked opportunities for business-people of African descent to make millions. Thus far people of African descent have been systematically shut out of operating concessions in America’s airports and airports around the world.”
The Southeast Queens Chamber of Commerce has launched a Giving Fund to help people of color scale up their businesses and raise capital. To participate, please donate or join the SEQ Chamber where half of your membership fee goes into the Giving Fund to make grants to members of the chamber to reinvest in their businesses.
For more information, visit the official website of the Southeast Queens Chamber of Commerce at SEQCOC.org
For press inquiries, contact southeastqueenschamber@gmail.com