Multicultural Coalition of Minority Chambers of
Commerce Unite to Gather at City Hall
to Address Discrimination in Small Business Certification, SBA Policy, and
Rising Tax Burdens
When: March 6, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM
Where: Steps of New York City Hall
On Friday, March 6th at 10:30 AM, the largest assembled coalition of minority chambers of commerce and small business organizations will gather on the steps of New York City Hall to raise awareness about growing challenges facing minority-owned businesses, including discrimination in certification processes, burdensome compliance barriers, SBA policy changes, and rising tax pressures impacting small businesses across New York.
The New York State Multicultural Chamber Coalition, representing chambers of commerce and business organizations serving tens of thousands of small businesses across New York State, is convening this press conference to highlight serious concerns regarding recent policy decisions affecting minority and immigrant-owned businesses.
Among the key issues being addressed is the SBA policy restricting access to SBA-backed loan programs for legal permanent residents, a decision many coalition members believe undermines the
SBA’s core mission of expanding access to capital for small businesses that drive job creation,innovation, and economic growth. Legal permanent residents are law-abiding taxpayers, employers, and long-term members of our communities. For decades, immigrant-owned businesses have relied on SBA-backed financing as acritical growth tool to invest in equipment, expand operations, purchase property, and hire workers.
In addition, the coalition will address growing discrimination and obstacles surrounding minority business certification programs and compliance requirements, which many small business owners report have become increasingly difficult to access and navigate, limiting opportunities intended to support diverse entrepreneurs.
Speakers will also address the proposal floated by Mayor Mamdani to raise property taxes, which many small business leaders warn will have a disproportionate impact on neighborhood retailers that are the backbone of minority business communities throughout New York City.
Featured Speakers
Anthony Pena – President, National Supermarket Association
Francisco Marte – President, Bodega and Small Business Group
Duvi Honig – Founder & CEO, Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce
Greg Kirsopp- Greater NY Chamber of commerce
Special Guest in Attendance: Speaker of NYC City Council Julie Menin
Participating Chambers of Commerce (Partial List)
1. New York State Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
2. Greater NY Chamber of Commerce
3. New York State Afro Latino African-American Chamber of Commerce
4. Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce
5. New York & New Jersey Veterans Chamber of Commerce
6. U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce
7. New York State Chinese Chamber of Commerce
8. New York Pakistan Chamber of Commerce
9. National Supermarket Association
10. Hispanic Buying Group
11. New York State Christian Chamber of Commerce
12. New York & New Jersey Minority Development Council
13. New York State Indian Chamber of Commerce
14. New York Immigrant Chamber of Commerce
15. Long Island Honduras Chamber of Commerce
16. New York Bodega and Small Business Association
17. United Bodega Association
18. New York State Women in Construction
19. New York State Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce
20. Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
21. New York State Restaurant Association
22. Queens Latino Restaurant Association
23. Bronx Latino Restaurant Association
24. Long Island Latino Restaurant Association
25. National Association of Latino State Chambers
26. New York State Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce
27. New York Black Institute
28. New York State Hispanic Cosmetology Chamber of Commerce
29. Worldwide Churches30. Bronx Hispanic Chamber
31. Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry
32. Greater New York Chamber of Commerce
33. Morris County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
34. New York State Dominican Chamber of Commerce
Press Contacts
Fatima Velasquez – 347-400-0783
Richard Lipsky – 914-572-2865
Frank Garcia – 347-668-7614