Freeport, NY - December 12, 2015 - On December 12, 2015 the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (LIAACC) appointed Erna Blackman Butterflies, BBI, Inc. Founder as Queens County Director. Queens County is the second most populous county in New York State, behind neighboring Kings County, which is coterminous with the borough of Brooklyn. Queens is the fourth-most densely populated county among New York City's boroughs, as well as in the United States; and if each New York City borough were an independent city, Queens would also be the nation's fourth most populous city, after Los Angeles, Chicago, and Brooklyn. Queens is the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world.

“Queens County has a significant number of African Americans in the borough who will benefit significantly from a chamber of commerce of this size and magnitude which has the ability to increase the success ratio of the small business owners in its jurisdiction.” Phil Andrews, President, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

About: Erna Blackman – LIAACC Queens County Director/Founder, Butterflies, BBI, Inc. Erna Blackman was born in Queens and attended Grace Lutheran Elementary School in Malvern, NY. In 1984, she graduated from Jamaica High School and subsequently received a BA in journalism from Delaware State University. In 2012, she founded Butterflies BBI, which is a nonprofit organization that provides free hair replacements and solutions to children with medical hair loss. At Butterflies BBI, a special interest is given to inner-city children as they are a group that is often overlooked. Blackman is married and the mother of two children.

About: Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. - The Mission of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., is to advance and promote economic development for business, and to advance responsive government and quality education on the behalf of all small businesses, with emphasis on African Ancestry, while preserving the Long Island community."  Long Island means the New York State counties on Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Kings.  A Chamber of Commerce is one of the most well-known and recognizable organizations in the country chartered to stimulate business in local and regional areas where they are designated to serve.

To view recent segment of WABC Here and Now featuring the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. click on link here (Embedded code for video listed at this link)

For more information regarding membership, corporate sponsorship opportunities, or to be placed on the Email list of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. email or call 347-475-7158. You may also log on to www.liaacc.org for online membership or to contact the chamber.