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<\/a>(L-R) ASSEMBLY MEMBER CHANTEL Jackson; New York Botanical Garden President Jennifer Bernstein; State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S. D. 34); Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin; and State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36) attend the launch day press conference on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, held at the New York Botanical Garden in Bedford Park, of the upcoming Bronx Day in Albany to be held March 10, 2026.Photo courtesy of Darry Saldana via the Bronx Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce<\/a> announced Friday, Feb. 27,\u00a0the 17 recipients of the 2026 Bronx Day in Albany<\/a>\u00a0Change Maker Award, which Chamber officials said recognizes Bronx-based businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs making meaningful contributions to the borough\u2019s economy, workforce and communities.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The honorees were announced at a press conference held Friday at the New York Botanical Garden<\/a> (NYBG) in Bedford Park and they were each nominated by a Bronx State assembly member or State senator to represent their respective district\u2019s \u201ceconomic and community leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n They said award recipients will be formally recognized on March 10, during the Business & Cultural Showcase at Bronx Day in Albany at the Albany Capital Center.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Lisa Sorin<\/a>, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, which is organizing the return of Bronx Day in Albany, after a multi-year hiatus<\/a>, as reported<\/a>, said, \u201cBronx Day in Albany is about elevating the people and institutions that power our borough every day. The Change Maker Awards shine a spotlight on businesses and organizations that are creating jobs, supporting communities, and strengthening the Bronx economy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sorin was joined Friday for the launch at NYBG by Assembly Member Chantel Jackson<\/a> (A.M. 79); NYBG President Jennifer Bernstein<\/a>; State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez<\/a> (S. D. 34); and State Sen. Jamaal Bailey<\/a>\u00a0(S.D. 36). A speaker and presenting partner at the upcoming Bronx Day in Albany is Robert Rodriguez, northeast divisional director for business banking and chair of the NYC market leadership team at JPMorgan Chase.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The 2026\u00a0Bronx\u00a0Day\u00a0in\u00a0Albany\u00a0Change Maker Award recipients and the elected officials who nominated them are as follows:<\/p>\n Bravo Supermarket\u00a0(Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia) \u00a0<\/p>\n Bronx\u00a0Day\u00a0in\u00a0Albany\u00a0is a full-day\u00a0economic development hosted by the\u00a0Bronx\u00a0Chamber of Commerce that brings together state leaders, agencies, employers, entrepreneurs and community organizations to showcase the\u00a0Bronx\u00a0as a center of growth, innovation and opportunity.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Business & Cultural Showcase, at which the Change Maker Award recipients will be honored, will highlight Bronx businesses and organizations as employers, community anchors and drivers of local supply chains. The event is free to attend with advance registration.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The event programming includes a leadership luncheon with remarks by State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (A.D. 83), as well as two panels examining the Bronx\u2019s real estate development and housing needs, and the rising cost of doing business in New York.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The discussions are designed to connect Albany decision-makers directly with those navigating development, preservation, financing and regulatory challenges on the ground. Tickets to the leadership luncheon are $99, and space is limited. Tickets remain available through the event website.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0day\u00a0will also include\u00a0afternoon workshops by state agencies and other entities, which are free to attend with advance registration. Topics will include access to capital, MWBE\/SDVOB certification process and benefits, procurement and contract opportunities for certified minority-owned businesses, grants and loans for businesses and nonprofits, energy savings programs, insurance and workforce development support.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The event\u2019s presenting partner is JPMorganChase, with additional support from the Montefiore Einstein, New York Yankees, New York Botanical Garden, Public Policy Institute of New York State, REBNY, Bally\u2019s, DJ Ambulette, New York Apartment Association, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, Con Edison, Amazon, DoorDash, HILB Group\/Rampart Insurance Services, Simone Development, The Woodlawn Cemetery, PhRMA, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Molina Healthcare of New York, Inc. Media partners include Politico NY, News12, Schneps Media, BronxNet, and In The Room Media.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nBridge Builders Community Partnership Inc.\u00a0(Sen. Luis R. Sep\u00falveda)
\nBronx\u00a0Children\u2019s Museum\u00a0(Sen. Jose M. Serrano)
\nCestra\u2019s Bakery\u00a0(Assembly Member Michael Benedetto)
\nConti\u2019s Pastry Shoppe\u00a0(Assembly Member John Zaccaro)
\nDJ MadOut\u00a0(Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie)
\nFix It With Piggy\u00a0(Assembly Member Landon Dais)
\nJohnson\u2019s BBQ\u00a0(Assembly Member Chantel Jackson)
\nKingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corp.\u00a0(Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz)
\nKingsbridge Social Club\u00a0(Sen. Robert Jackson)
\nMaravillas Bar & Grill\u00a0(Assembly Member Emerita Torres)
\nTaqueria Tlaxcalli\u00a0(Assembly Member Karines Reyes)
\nThe\u00a0Bronx\u00a0Beer Hall\u00a0(Sen. Gustavo Rivera)
\nThe Hoodspitality Group\u00a0(Assembly Member Amanda Septimo)
\nTravel with Chaz\u00a0(Sen. Nathalia Fernandez)
\nUnited Bodegas of America\u00a0(Assembly Member George Alvarez)
\nWilliamsbridge NAACP CEC\u00a0(Sen. Jamaal Bailey)<\/p>\n