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Department of
Minority Affairs

Our Mission

The mission of Minority Affairs is to address the needs of African-American Advisory Board, Hispanic Advisory Board, Asian-American Advisory Board, Muslim-American Advisory Board, Jewish Advisory Board, and other minority residents of Suffolk County. We have established a quarterly roundtable meeting of the advisory chairpersons who collectively develop an annual report of findings and recommendations which could impact policy and government regulations. This report will be presented to the County Executive. The Boards will collaborate on an Economic Development project to help stimulate growth in our economy.

Suffolk County is home to nearly 1.5 million people. In 2000, African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, and other ethnic groups made up nearly 20% of the total population.

These various ethnic groups make up the fastest growing communities in our County and with their growth and presence, come a variety of issues and concerns that affect the community as a whole.

County Executive Steven Bellone recognizes that many of the issues affecting these communities revolve around access to health care, economic development, and education. He has a firm commitment to the concepts of Equal Employment Opportunities, access to services, and zero tolerance for discrimination. The Office of Minority Affairs supports the Executive's commitment by providing oversight to a number of coalitions and committees that pursue the interests of these communities County-wide and advocate for the needs of communities of color.

The Office of Minority Affairs is also a home to the County's Minority Business Development Council and the Women's Business Enterprise Coalitions. Both Coalitions function to assist qualified women and minority-owned businesses in effectively competing for bids, contracts and other procurement opportunities in County government and other entities. Businesses seeking certification as a minority or women-owned business in Suffolk County, may also obtain applications and information on qualifications through the Office of Minority Affairs.

The Office of Minority Affairs continuously offers technical assistance to community-based organizations providing outreach and services to the various ethnic communities in Suffolk. Referral and information services are also available to individuals seeking assistance in accessing programs or with questions regarding matters of discrimination.

Advisory Boards

picture of an African-American Family

The purposes for which the Board is formed are as follows:

  • Bring to the attention of the County Executive those issues that impact upon the African-American communities throughout the County of Suffolk.
  • Seek community input on relevant issues that impact their communities.
  • Improve communications between the African-American communities, government, and its residents.
  • Address pertinent issues, some of which include:
    • Education
    • Health
    • Legislation
    • Small Business Development/Economic Development
  • Encourage civic participation in the communities

The purposes of the Board shall be promoted through educational programs, conferences, committees, projects and other programs.


Events:


picture of Latin-American Family

The purpose for which the Hispanic Advisory Board is formed are as follows:

  • To improve cultural understanding between the Hispanic Community, Suffolk County Government, and Suffolk County residents.
  • To promote Hispanic business development and to provide needed information to Hispanic businesses to enable them to have equal access and opportunity to contracting and procurement in Suffolk County.
  • To encourage civic participation at all levels by members of the Hispanic Community.
  • The Board shall not participate nor intervene or endorse in any manner whatsoever any political organization or act on behalf of any candidate for public office.
  • The purposes of the Board shall be promoted through educational programs, conferences, committees, projects and other programs.
  • An additional purpose shall be to discuss issues of importance and relevance to the Hispanic community and to make recommendations regarding proposed legislation to the Suffolk County Legislature and the Suffolk County Executive.

Events:


picture of Asian-American Family

The Asian-American Advisory Board is hereby created to discuss issues of importance and relevance to the Asian-American community and to make recommendations regarding proposed legislation to the Suffolk County Legislature in connection with the following:

  • Bring to the attention of the County Executive those issues that impact upon the Asian-American Community in Suffolk County.
  • Seek community imput on relevant issues that impact their communities.
  • To advocate on behalf of the emerging Asian-American Community in Suffolk County.
  • To encourage civic participation at all levels by members of the Asian-American community.
  • To promote Asian-American business development and to provide information necessary for Asian-American businesses to enable them to have equal access and opportunity to contracting and procurement in Suffolk County.
  • To improve communications and cultural understanding between the Asian-American community, Suffolk County Government, and Suffolk County residents.
  • Address pertinent issues, some of which include:
    • Education
    • Health
    • Legislation
    • Small Business development/economic development

All through educational programs, conferences, committees, projects, and programs without participating in or endorsing political organzations or candidates for public office.

For more information please go to: www.scaaab.org


Events:


picture of Muslim-American Family

The Muslim-American Advisory Committee is hereby created, to discuss issues of importance and relevance to the Muslim-American community and to make recommendations regarding proposed legislation to the Suffolk County Legislature in connection with the following:

  • To advocate on behalf of the emeging Muslim-American Community in Suffolk County.
  • To encourage civic participation at all levels by members of the Muslim-American community.
  • To promote Muslim-American business development and to provide information necessary for Muslim-American business to enable them to have equal access and opportunity to contracting and procurement in Suffolk County.
  • To improve cultural understanding between the Muslim-American community, Suffolk County Government, and Suffolk County residents.

All through educational programs, conferences, committees, projects, and programs without participating in or endorsing political organizations or candidates for public office.


Events:


picture of Native-American Family

The Suffolk County Native American Advisory Board is here by created for the following purposes:

  • To promote educational outreach on Native American history and culture on Long Island, particularly in Suffolk County
  • To improve cultural understanding between the Native American community, Suffolk County government and Suffolk County residents
  • To identify resources and referrals for Native Americans
  • To create a database containing historical and cultural information about Native Americans on Long Island
  • To promote Native American Heritage Month during the month of November

Events:


Native American Heritage Month

picture of Jewish-American Family

The Jewish Advisory Board is here by created to discuss issues of importance and relevance to the long island Jewish community and:

  • To advocate on behalf of the Jewish-American community in Suffolk County
  • To encourage civic participation at all levels by members of the Jewish community
  • To promote Jewish- American business development and to provide information necessary for the Jewish-American business to enable them to have equal access and opportunity to contracting and procurement in Suffolk County
  • To Improve Cultural understanding between the Jewish Community, Suffolk County government and Suffolk County residents

Events:


Services

Minority and Women Owned Businesses

This website will provide a list of Minority and Women owned business (M/WBE’s) and certified businesses that will be made available to all Suffolk County entities searching for M/WBE’s to do business with.

Minority and Women Business Enterprise Programs

The following Non-Suffolk County run organizations have programs designed to assist the growth and development of businesses owned and controlled by women and minority group members (“M/WBEs”).

Certify or Recertify Business

Certifying your business as a Suffolk County Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) will place your information on the Suffolk County M/WBE Directory which has several advantages.

Change Business Information

Update information for your registered business.

Minority Affairs Current Events

Suffolk County Government

H. Lee Dennison Bldg

100 Veterans Memorial Hwy
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788

Riverhead County Center

County Road 51
Riverhead, NY 11901