Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2021

Governor Phil Murphy Announces $10 Million in Financial Relief for Small Businesses Impacted by Tropical Storm Ida

Interim assistance will provide grants up to $5,000 to storm-impacted businesses/non-profits with up to 50 employees

MILLBURN – Governor Phil Murphy today announced preliminary details of a proposed plan to provide grants to New Jersey small businesses impacted by severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Ida on Wednesday and early Thursday. TheNew Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)has been tasked with creating and administering the program, which will provide short-term, immediate rent/mortgage reimbursement support to New Jersey businesses and non-profits with up to 50 employees that suffered physical damage on September 1stand 2nd, 2021 and any additional flooding immediately thereafter.

Governor Murphy made this announcement during a visit to Millburn, in Essex County, where he toured the downtown small business corridor, which was inundated by floodwaters beginning Tuesday evening.

“As with any emergency situation, our top priority is the health and safety of New Jerseyans, and we extend our deepest condolences to those families experiencing the loss or grave injury of a loved one,” said Governor Murphy. “Now that the skies have cleared, we are eager to get to work on helping those who are waking up to harsh economic realities reclaim their livelihoods and mitigate Ida’s financial impacts to their businesses and the hardworking people they employ.”

“We needed to act quickly to assist small businesses impacted by Wednesday’s storm. With many businesses still on the brink of closure due to the financial impact of the pandemic, without assistance the storm damage could push them over the edge,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “These grants will provide a critical lifeline to small businesses and nonprofits around the state.”

“Between the pandemic and now with the heartbreaking devastation and damage brought by Tropical Storm Ida, New Jersey businesses need our help,” said Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “The $10 million being committed today will go to great lengths in helping rebuild and recapture what was so suddenly and tragically lost overnight. As pillars of our communities and the foundation on which our economy rests, when our businesses thrive, we all thrive.”

“A disaster on the scale of what occurred in New Jersey and neighboring states is distressing under any circumstances, but it’s particularly devastating on the heels of an economic disruption of the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic,”said NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan.“NJEDA staff is prepared, under Governor Murphy’s leadership, to act quickly to assist businesses experiencing the destructiveness of Ida, with the continued agility and dedication that has enabled us to provide more than 80,000 grants and loans through our COVID-19 programs.”

Governor Murphy made clear that the proposed assistance announced today is designed to get funds to businesses as quickly as possible, but is considered an initial step while larger-scale programs, likely funded with federal emergency assistance programs, are developed.
Through the proposed $10 million grant program, small businesses and non-profit entities with up to 50 employees will be able to apply for grants of $1,000 to $5,000 dollars. Landlords and home-based businesses are not eligible for grant funding through this program. Under the preliminary plan, to be eligible, the applying entity must:

Provide certification of an unmet need due to damage and/or business interruption
Provide documentation of physical damage to the applicant’s physical commercial location
Present a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Submit recent wage reporting form (WR30), if applicable
Be registered to do business in the State of New Jersey
Be in good standing with the Department of Taxation
Additional requirements may apply

As proposed, grants will be provided in the form of reimbursement of August rent or mortgage ($1,000 min rent eligibility). To ensure grants reach businesses in the hardest hit communities, including communities of color, one-third of the $10 million in funding available through the program will be targeted to businesses with a primary business location within the 715 census tracts designated as eligible to be selected as an Opportunity Zone.

The parameters of the program announced today are preliminary and are subject to change. The proposed program will be presented to the NJEDA’s Board for consideration of approval at a special meeting on Wednesday, September 8that 10:00 a.m.If approved, the NJEDA expects to announce full details and the application timeline for the grant program following that meeting.

Contact:

John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
[email protected]
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620 www.aaccnj.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey to Establish Scholarship Fund in Honor of Olympic Gold Medalist Athing Mu to Support Future Collegiate Athletes from Trenton Who Compete in Track and Field Activities.

(Trenton, NJ – August 27, 2021) The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announced today it is establishing a scholarship fund in honor of Olympic Gold Medalist Athing Mu to support future collegiate athletes from Trenton, New Jersey, who compete in track and field activities.

“We are extremely excited to establish a scholarship to support future collegiate athletes from Trenton who compete in track and field activities. Moreover, we are so proud to implement this educational award in honor of Olympic Gold Medalist Athing Mu. The grace and athleticism exemplified on the world stage by this young woman was extraordinary and serve as a testament to our hometown’s saying: Trenton Makes – The World Takes,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., AACCNJ’s Founder, President, and CEO.

Awards from the scholarship fund will provide students with resources to defray their college expenses and allow them to continue to invest in their future. More details about the program will be available in the coming months (including eligibility criteria) and posted on AACCNJ’s website at www.aaccnj.com.

About The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) was established in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, B2B (business-to-business) organization in Trenton, New Jersey. John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, is the Founder, President and CEO.

Serving more than 800 active members, the AACCNJ has become a central beacon for minority and non-minority advocacy building, community and government relations, business development, job retention, and educational attainment. The AACCNJ serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and strategic implementation of initiatives and resolutions that help build New Jersey’s economic landscape.

CONTACT:

John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
[email protected]
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620 www.aaccnj.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2021

Burlington County Commissioners recognize the African American Chamber of Commerceof New Jersey (AACCNJ) during National Black Business Month.

TRENTON, NJ. (August 17, 2021) The Burlington County Commissioners recognized the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, during National Black Business Month, at the Administration Building, in Mount Holly, NJ

On August 11th at 7 p.m. Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson recognized the work and the mission of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey during the Commissioners Meeting. The AACCNJ was recognized for the work it does to help promote and support black-owned businesses in Burlington County.

“As part of National Black Businesses Month in August, our Board of Commissioners is highlighting many of the Black-owned businesses that help to make Burlington County such a great place to live and work,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “We know Black-owned businesses play a major role in the success of our county and our state. Their owners and employees are our neighbors, friends and family members and the goods and services they provide are critical to our communities. We want to encourage all our residents to support and patronize these enterprises, not only during the month of August, but throughout the year, and we’re thrilled to honor the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and its leadership for all that they do to help them grow and prosper.”

“First, let me start by thanking my friends, Fred Jordan, and John Templeton for establishing Black Business Month, they realized the significance of the contributions of Black Businesses to US and Global economies and created a platform to highlight those businesses, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACNJ. Also, we are so grateful to receive recognition from Director Felicia Hobson, and the Burlington County Commissioners, for the work my staff and I perform daily to underscore the relevance and value proposition provided by the 1.2 Black residents and over 80,000 businesses in the state of New Jersey.”

Historian John William Templeton founded National Black Business Month[1] and Engineer Frederick E. Jordan, Sr[2]. in August of 2004 to “drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African -American businesses.”

Booker T. Washington[3] (1856 – 1915), Founder and Principal of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, organized the National Negro Business League in 1900 to promote “commercial, agricultural, educational, and industrial advancement…and the commercial and financial development of the Negro.”

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a pro-active advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

[1] https://www.wpr.org/people/john-william-templeton

[2] https://usfblogs.usfca.edu/sfchangemakers/2020/07/03/fred-jordan/

[3] https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_org_business.html

Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson and John E. Harmon, Sr.

Booker T. Washington (1856-1915)

Founder and Principal of The Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, organized the National Negro Business League in 1900 to promote "commercial, agricultural, educational, and industrial advancement ... and the commercial and financial development of the Negro."

Historian John William Templeton and Engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr founded National Black Business Month in August 2004 to “drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African-American businesses."

For Immediate Release
Stephen Blazejewski
President - The New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]

“Certification Summit” and “Meet the Diverse Chambers of NJ” Events Promote Small Business Development in NJ
The New Jersey LGBT Chamber Partners with National Organizations and Local Diverse Chambers of Commerce to Support LGBTQ-, Women-, Veteran, Disabled- and Minority-Owned Businesses

NJ, September 9th, 2021 – The New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce is excited to host a two-part roundtable series designed to advance the interests of LGBT-, small-, minority-, women-, disability-, and veteran-owned businesses in the state of New Jersey.

Hester Agudosi, Chief Diversity Officer for the State of New Jersey, will be the Keynote Speaker for Part One of the Series, the “Small and Minority Owned Business Certification Summit”, taking place on September 9th, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This event will bring together many national organizations and state government agencies to educate business owners on the benefits of becoming a certified small- or minority-owned business. Such benefits include enhanced opportunities to establish contracts with Fortune 500 companies and special access to both federal and state government resources and lending. Click HERE for a full list of participating organizations.

Lt. Governor Shelia Oliver will be the Keynote Speaker at Part Two of the Series, “Meet the Diverse Chambers of NJ!”, which will take place two weeks later on September 23rd, also from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This event will serve as a forum for the New Jersey LGBT Chamber, Statewide Hispanic Chamber, NJ State Veterans Chamber, the Capital Region Minority Chamber and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council Metro NY, to speak to the value of being a member of a local diverse Chamber and inform attendees on what educational resources and networking opportunities are offered by each organization.

“The goal of these two events is to help business owners learn how to leverage their identities to build their brand, discover new ways to access contracts, and gain more opportunities to expand their businesses on a local, national, and international level,” says Stephen Blazejewski, President of the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Both events are FREE and will take place using the virtual meeting platform, Zoom. All are welcome to attend!

Interested attendees should pre-register by going to the New Jersey LGBT Chamber’s website or by going to www.bit.ly/CERTIFY2021 and www.bit.ly/DIVERSITY2021. Questions related to each event can be emailed to [email protected]

The NJ LGBT Chamber of Commerce serves to connect LGBTQ+ and allied business owners and professionals with the resources they need to succeed while also to connecting them with New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ community at large. For more information, visit njlgbtchamber.org/.

About NJ LGBT Chamber of Commerce: Since 2013, the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce has been the premier LGBT and allied business organization committed to facilitating successful business collaboration and increasing the economic staying-power of its diverse membership. They are an inclusive platform for business visionaries and the first stop for LGBT and allied entrepreneurs seeking to grow and access opportunities and resources. The Chamber’s Mission is to promote the economic growth and development of our members by providing resources and opportunities for education, networking, and community engagement. For more information, please visit http://njlgbtchamber.org or connect with the NJ LGBT Chamber of Commerce on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

As an affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the NJ LGBT Chamber offers LGBT-Business Enterprise Certification ® as benefit of membership with the organization. Certified LGBT-BEs are routinely sought after by over 300 NGLCC Corporate Partners who are looking to increase their spend with the LGBT business community. Certified LGBT-BEs are also eligible for scholarship programs, mentorship and leadership training, and other business development tools.

“LBGT Business owners generate over $1.7 trillion in economic impact (per NGLCC’s groundbreaking America’s LGBT Economy Report), create jobs, and innovate business solutions nationwide,” says NJ LGBT Chamber of Commerce President, Stephen Blazejewski. “We actively seek to work with corporate partners to host a variety of educational and networking-based events which are critical in ensuring professional success for our Members and Future Members throughout the state of New Jersey.”

The AACCNJ Mourns the Passing of NBCC Co-Founder, Kay Debow Alford

The Death Of Kay DeBow Alford, Co-Founder Of The National Black Chamber Of Commerce, Leaves A Void In Black Business Empowerment - The Seattle Medium

https://seattlemedium.com/the-death-of-kay-debow-alford-co-founder-of-the-national-black-chamber-of-commerce-leaves-a-void-in-black-business-empowerment/

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The National Black Chamber of Commerce announced this week the death of its co-founder Kay DeBow Alford on July 19, 2021.

Highly focused, efficient and determined, Kay was the linchpin of the Chamber, defining multitasking to its highest degree.

Kay, as she was affectionately known, was named Kayanne at birth on December 12, 1957, to the parents of Charles DeBow Jr. and Aurelia Jane Stuart in Indianapolis, Indiana. She seemed to be born for business leadership, coming from a family that were known educators and entrepreneurs.

Kay’s father, Charles DeBow Jr. was one of the first four Tuskegee Airmen, serving in World War II. Kay’s maternal family were the Stuarts, who were entrepreneurs, owning several successful businesses in the greater Indianapolis area.

A graduate of Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, she received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She began her professional career at Colgate-Palmolive in Detroit, Michigan. It was in Detroit on June 8, 1980, Kay met husband-to-be Harry Cicero Alford Jr.

After a short courtship Kay and Harry were married on October 31, 1980.

The Alfords made their home in Indianapolis. Kay pursued government work and at the height of that work she became the Director of Marketing for the Hoosier State Lottery in Indiana.

The couple also became entrepreneurs owning several video stores and private ventures.

Through their business experiences, Kay and Harry early on realized there was a need for a national connection.

When Kay DeBow Alford and her husband Harry left Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to Washington, D.C. in September 1994, they had already founded the National Black Chamber of Commerce on May 23, 1993.

They had begun locally to fill the void of a Black business organization by founding the Hoosier Minority Chamber of Commerce in Indianapolis which evolved into the NBCC.

The NBCC was crafted from the empowerment principles of Booker T. Washington, the business acumen of Congressman Parren Mitchell, and enforced by the father of affirmative Action Arthur Fletcher.

Kay and Harry Alford took the business mission to new heights.

The organization, comprised of chapters throughout the United States expanded its reach internationally to France, Mexico, England, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Kenya, and Ghana.

Kay coordinated and singlehandedly organized and produced the national and international conventions and conferences.

She helped guide the NBCC, assuring its participation in business discussions on Capitol Hill and their interaction with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Officers and members were saddened by Kay’s death and sent along messages:
“Kay was the backbone of the National Black Chamber, the mother and driving force behind the great accomplishments of the NBCC. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and who benefitted from her tireless drive to make the nation better for all Black business owners,” said Chairman of the NBCC and President/CEO of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce.

“We will continue her legacy to fight for the improvement of African American communities throughout the Black Diaspora.”

John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) remembered Kay by saying, “words, although spoken softly, were at times, penetrating, yet nurturing and impactful.”

“Her commitment to attaining the best for Blacks was the cornerstone of her advocacy. I am grateful for the moments we shared together and her investment in my development as a Chamber Executive which has led to huge dividends for many and will never be forgotten.”

“The business community lost one of its champions with the passing of Kay DeBow Alford. Co-founder of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) with her husband, Harry Alford, she was the power behind the scenes of the many accomplishments of the NBCC,” said Dorothy R. Leavell, who served as a Board member and previous Chairman of the Board of the NBCC.

As serious and fierce as she was in the business arena, she was equally invested in her family. A devoted wife to Harry Jr. of forty-one years and the mother of twins, Harry III and Thomas, both successful sportsmen and businessmen.

Her most recent pride was being the grandma to Tatum and Archer. Her abounding love stretched out to her brothers, Charles Henry DeBow III and William Weir DeBow; sister, Natalie Jane; nephew Jonathon C. DeBow and countless nieces and nephews.

Services will culminate with burial in Shreveport, Louisiana. Services are entrusted to the Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport, LA.

"I am truly humbled by this recognition which will place me in the company of a number of well documented accomplished past and future Laureates.
.
Moreover, equally rewarding is the opportunity to serve as a member of the Junior Achievement Board of Directors and to advance a mission that prepares future leaders; and as a consequence improves the competitiveness of our State."

John E. Harmon, Sr. IOM
Founder, President & CEO
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Harmon, Montecalvo, and Rusckowski Honored
as New Jersey Hall of Fame TM
2021 Class of Laureates

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

For More Information Contact:
Tracy Anderson
Junior Achievement of New Jersey
(609) 543-9709
[email protected]

July 20, 2021, Edison, New Jersey – Each year, Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ) celebrates and honors the accomplishments of our state’s most influential business leaders. These Laureates are recognized for their visionary leadership, high standards as role models for New Jersey youth, and their impact in positively shaping their business and communities. This year’s inductees into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame (NJBHOF) will join remarkable Laureate Legacies known for demonstrating business excellence and consistent community involvement throughout their professional lives.

Nominated and chosen by their peers, the exceptional 2021 Class of Laureates being inducted into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame on December 9, 2021, include:

John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ)
Valerie Montecalvo, CEO & President, Bayshore Recycling
Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, CEO & President, Quest Diagnostics

“We are thrilled to honor this extraordinary Class of Laureates! John, Valerie, and Steve are incredible role models for today’s youth. Throughout their impressive careers, they have consistently demonstrated high ethical standards, mentorship, community involvement, and innovative leadership. It is these very same characteristics that JA hopes to instill in New Jersey’s students as our future leaders. This year’s virtual ceremony will be a memorable evening celebrating their remarkable achievements,” said Catherine Milone, President of JANJ.

John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, has served as the Founder, President, & CEO of AACCNJ for 14 years. Prior to spearheading AACCNJ, John was President and CEO of the Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce (MTAACC) where under his direction the organization generated meaningful partnerships in a wide range of sectors and significantly increased membership. John’s desire to help his community prosper is rooted in the support, commitment, and passion exhibited by his educators. As an African American advocate of New Jersey residents and thousands of black-owned businesses statewide, he makes a conscious effort to ensure that policies at all government levels are delivered based on equity and inclusion.

Valerie Montecalvo has been CEO & President of Bayshore Recycling for 26 years. Known in the green industry as a successful business owner, and champion of women, Valerie uses her progressive leadership qualities as a guiding force in how she steers not only her business, but passion to support sustainable communities in New Jersey. As a Junior Achievement alum, Valerie is a full-circle example of what the JA experience represents and ascribes her participation with influencing her career trajectory, particularly the development of the recycling and highway construction industry in New Jersey. Valerie is committed to her passion of carrying out Bayshore’s core vision of operating 100% green businesses powered 100% by renewable energy.

Steve Rusckowski is Chairman, CEO, & President of Quest Diagnostics. Throughout his impressive career, Steve has always exemplified exceptional leadership through his commitment to the betterment of his community, as well as his innovative approach to expanding Quest Diagnostics capabilities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remarkably, under Steve’s leadership, Quest has performed more than 50 million COVID-19 molecular and serology tests to date and was one of the leading labs nationally to create and secure Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for a PCR test to detect COVID-19.

John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM

Valerie Montecalvo

Steve Rusckowski

As we celebrate John, Valerie, and Steve as the 2021 Class of Laureates, this signature event paves the way for students across New Jersey as our future business and community leaders. Proceeds from the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame underwrite unsponsored JA High School Heroes Initiatives, where high school students receive training from JA that prepares them to teach JA’s financial empowerment and work readiness curricula to elementary school children. As they hone critical career readiness, employability, leadership, and management skills, they are simultaneously becoming role models within their communities. These Heroes will serve as JA Student Ambassadors at the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame presenting the Laureates with their awards alongside several younger leaders.

To sponsor and join us in celebrating the NJBHOF 2021 Class of Laureates and JA Student Ambassadors on December 9, 2021, contact Krysti Peitz at [email protected].

About Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ):
JANJ is an award-winning, best-in-class JA operation. With its headquarters and Capstone programs located in the JA Education Center, in Raritan Center, Edison, NJ, JANJ is a free educational resource dedicated to giving all young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success and plan for their futures. JA’s learning experiences primarily focus on career readiness, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, and life skills, and are held at the JA Education Center, in schools, on college/university campuses, in corporate facilities, and online through digital learning experiences. www.janj.org

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ):
The AACCNJ performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce. www.AACCNJ.com

About Bayshore Recycling:
Established in 1995, Bayshore is a NJDEP Licensed facility and NJ State certified Woman Owned Business. A premier destination for the recycling of concrete, asphalt, brick, block, bulky waste, construction debris, non-hazardous petroleum impacted soil, all curbside commodities, and other diverse materials. Headquartered in the Kearbey section of Woodbridge Township, NJ. The site boasts Raritan River frontage and convenient access via road, barge, and class-1 railroad. Sustainable “green business” operations driven by renewable energy are at the center of the company’s Business Plan. Bayshore is also an ISNetworld network certified toward connecting corporations with safe, reliable contractors/suppliers from capital-intensive industries. www.bayshorerecycling.com

About Quest Diagnostics:
Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com

C ONTACT :
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
[email protected]
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620 www.aaccnj.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2021

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey announces the addition of Ferlanda Fox Nixon, Esq., Chief of Policy and Government Affairs.

TRENTON, NJ. (June 28, 2021) The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey announces the addition of Ferlanda Fox Nixon, Esq., as Chief of Policy and Government Affairs.

"We are extremely excited about bringing Ferlanda Nixon on board as our Chief of Policy and Government Affairs. In this capacity Ferlanda will play a critical role in fostering relations within the Public and Private Sector on behalf of AACCNJ and its constituency. Through these engagements and the leveraging of Ferlanda’s unique skills will provide significant value towards furthering the mission of the AACCNJ.”  John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM

"I welcome the opportunity to leverage my eclectic experiences as lawyer, communicator, educator, community leader, and entrepreneur to advance the agenda of the Chamber. There is much work to do, and John has assembled an exceptionally talented team to get the job done. It is an honor and a privilege to be included among such esteemed professionals" Ferlanda Fox Nixon, Esq.

Ferlanda Fox Nixon, Esq., is founder and chief executive officer of FerlandaTM. Through an array of customized services, Ms. Nixon provides total leadership consultancy to businesses, organizations, and individuals in the areas of diversity and inclusion; leadership and professional development; communication, presentation and meeting facilitation skills; event planning; marketing; new business development; and general business strategy and administration. Her services have been retained by Wakefern Food Corporation, the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States; Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides college scholarships and leadership training and development to minority students who reside in New Jersey; Academic Resource Center, a company that provided tutoring and other academic enrichment services to students of all ages; and various individuals residing in the United States and abroad. Ms. Nixon’s services include providing one-on-one coaching, designing and facilitating workshops, delivering motivational speeches, and executing various managerial and leadership functions as needed.

Ms. Nixon also is the franchisee, publisher, and editor of TAPinto Denville. TAPinto Denville is a hyperlocal digital news site that serves residents, organizations and business owners of Denville, New Jersey. With assistance from freelance reporters, Ms. Nixon is responsible for gathering information, writing stories, and using social media to keep the public informed of relevant current affairs and events.

For more than 13 years, Ms. Nixon has worked in the Office of Communications at Rutgers University-Newark where she helps to identify and manage publicity opportunities that promote the university and its events, initiatives, programs, policies, and constituents. Along with a team of three to four other professionals, Ms. Nixon is responsible for Rutgers-Newark’s internal and external communications including news releases, media advisories, pitch letters, feature articles, and other written materials. She establishes ongoing relationships with members of media; provides guidance on crisis management and brand and reputation issues; supplies website and social media content; and contributes to special and ongoing projects such as visitor/student guides and award-winning newsletters like Connect and Legislative Briefings.

Ms. Nixon has served as an adjunct professor at the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers-Newark. She has taught one course on ethics and another on leadership. She also helped to establish SPAA’s first policy debate team and, as its interim director of fund development in 2013-2014, raised nearly $25,000 primarily from donations from Rutgers-Newark alumni to support the team’s various activities.

Prior to founding FerlandaTM, Ms. Nixon practiced corporate law for 18 years – five years at Whitman & Ransom, a midsize Manhattan law firm, and 13 years at CIT Group Inc. (CIT), a leading commercial and consumer finance company. At CIT, Ms. Nixon held the position of vice president, managing chief counsel, and assistant secretary. In that capacity, she managed the legal function for five operating business units and supervised a staff of eight professionals consisting of five senior attorneys, two paralegals, and one administrative assistant. She structured sophisticated transactions and advised senior management on issues affecting corporations and financial institutions. For nearly 10 years, Ms. Nixon ranked the highest African-American female officer at CIT.

While at CIT, Ms. Nixon helped found CIT’s Global Women’s Leadership Council (WLC), an organization of CIT’s highest-ranking women charged with recruiting, retaining, and advancing women and minorities throughout all of CIT. During her tenure on the WLC, Ms. Nixon drafted the initial and amended bylaws, wrote the initial mission statement and goals, chaired the Professional Development Committee, hosted several meet-and-greet luncheons, organized many lunchtime educational programs, actively participated in the design and execution of the mentorship program, created the regional CIT Livingston Women’s Leadership Council, formed the “c it read Women’s Book Club,” established the Phenomenal Woman Award, and shared words of inspiration and motivation with women and minorities located in CIT’s various regional offices.

Ms. Nixon is an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown, New Jersey, where she is a Sunday school teacher for high school students. She also has awarded scholarships to deserving students through her efforts on Calvary’s Educational Funding and Development Ministry and as executive director and board member of the Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation.

Ms. Nixon is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service organization, where she has served as a group leader of the sorority’s EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program for the past six years. EMBODI is an initiative that helps African-American males ages 12-17 attain their fullest potential educationally, socially, and emotionally through mentoring and activities that address issues related to STEAM education, culture, self-efficacy, leadership, physical and mental health, healthy lifestyles choices, character, ethics, relationships, college-readiness, fiscal management, civic engagement, and service learning.

During her two-year term as executive director of the Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation, Ms. Nixon designed and launched the LTD ProgramTM. “LTD” is an acronym for “leadership training and development.” In addition to awarding scholarships to college-bound minority students, Hope Chest now offers a professional development curriculum that prepares its scholars for summer internship positions with various corporate sponsors of Hope Chest. Through mentoring and workshops facilitated by seasoned business professionals and consultants, the LTD ProgramTM focuses on instruction to improve business writing skills, public speaking skills, and general office decorum and presentation.

Ms. Nixon also served as the executive director of the Community Development Corporation of Northern New Jersey (CDC|NNJ). CDC|NNJ is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enhance the wellbeing of the constituents of northern New Jersey through education, outreach, and collaborative partnerships. As executive director, Ms. Nixon strategically and aggressively expanded and monitored CDC|NNJ’s programming and community outreach, developed and promoted CDC|NNJ’s brand, and increased and managed CDC|NNJ’s funding and revenue sources.

Ms. Nixon’s other community involvements include an active leadership role as trustee of the Women’s Association of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey. As trustee, Ms. Nixon has served as vice president of advocacy, assistant secretary and assistant treasurer, co-chair of the Cultural Legacy Committee, co-chair of the Governance Committee, co-chair of the 2008 Annual Women’s Luncheon, and co-chair of the 2006 Spotlight Gala, one of New Jersey’s largest annual fundraising events. Under Ms. Nixon’s leadership, the 2006 Spotlight Gala raised more than $2.4 million.

Ms. Nixon’s past community activities include serving as president of the Morris County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, membership on the Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, and membership on the Young Leaders Steering Committee of the Newark Museum. She has coached soccer for the Recreation Department of the Town of Randolph, New Jersey, and has planned fundraising endeavors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark, New Jersey. In 2004, the Plainfield area and Metuchen, Edison, and Woodbridge YMCAs presented Ms. Nixon with a New Jersey Minority Achievers Award in recognition of her outstanding professional accomplishments and extensive community involvement.

A graduate of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Ms. Nixon received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. At Georgetown, she served as an editor of The Tax Lawyer, the official publication of the American Bar Association’s Section of Taxation.

After 12 years of marriage to her college sweetheart, Ms. Nixon lost her husband to leukemia and became a solo parent of two young sons in 2000. She remarried in 2003 and was blessed with the addition of an adult daughter. Ms. Nixon and her husband reside in Denville, New Jersey.

“ We are truly humbled to receive the Gold Telly Award. This recognition confirms that when you present the relevance and value proposition of Blacks with objectivity, transparency and credibility, audiences will affirm!” John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ

For More Information, Contact:
Marc Cruz, [email protected]
Ashley Lamatrice, [email protected]
Emily Morris, [email protected]
TRUST, 646-452-3388

New York, NY (May 25, 2021) — The Telly Awards, the world’s largest honor for video and television content across all screens, has announced this year’s winners, including Jennifer Garner’s “Pretend Cooking Show” series, RsadicalMedia’s
“Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel” documentary series, Partizan's
“Fantastic Voyage” campaign, and much more. Under this year’s "Your Stories Defy
The Limits” theme, standouts encompass the artistic and technical innovations that have surfaced in direct response to the challenges presented by 2020 and 2021. Additional winners range from Netflix, Microsoft Condé Nast, HBO Latin America, and Nickelodeon to BET Digital, Adobe, Playstation, BBC Global News, and Paper.

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across
all screens and is judged by the Telly Award Judging Council, a group of leading video and television experts from some of the most prestigious companies in entertainment, publishing, advertising, and emerging technology, such as WarnerMedia, NBC News, Framestore NY, and Vimeo to name a few.

View all of the winners of The 42nd Telly Awards at www.tellyawards.com/winners.

The 42nd annual Telly Awards received a 15% increase in entries from the previous year. The growth was driven by a significant rise in remote and virtual productions, with many brands taking to animation for the first time. The Telly Awards is also
proud to name Al Jazeera Media Network as this year’s ‘Telly Company of the Year’. A trailblazer in bringing to life limit-defying content, Al Jazeera’s breadth of work, particularly its “A Day in Wuhan” and “Stricken Beirut” along with “About Cinema” series, perfectly embodies the creativity and storytelling efforts the Telly Awards have long shined a spotlight on.

“In the face of a year like no other, the visual storytelling community has continued to defy the limitations of our new world. Achievements have been both societal, such as embracing social media platforms to raise awareness about injustices and promote solidarity for movements, as well as geographical, like developing fully remote pipelines for dispersed teams”, says Telly Awards Executive Director Sabrina Dridje. “This year’s submissions doubled down on what we already know about the industry. Creativity cannot be stopped. Collaboration will always prevail. New ideas and stories will always find a way to break through to an audience.”

In recognition of the industry’s evolving cultural change, The Telly Awards continued its commitment toward supporting the talent, voices, and narratives of underrepresented artists around the globe. At the start of the season, The Telly Awards welcomed Ghetto Film School and UK-based We Are Parable as media partners. This mission was also reflected within the international and multidisciplinary judging lineup, which was bolstered by the joinings of Shalini Sharma of NBC News, Ryan Honey of Buck, Andrew Wareham of Taxi Group Australia, Karyn Spencer of Whalar, Amy Tunick of WarnerMedia, Jamie Elden of Shutterstock, Kavita Lokchander of Thrive Global, Meghan Oretsky of Vimeo, and Andrew Rowan-Robinson of Framestore NY.

On the heels of a hugely successful virtual screening series, The Telly Awards has also rolled out its first-ever original and monthly interview series to further celebrate creators who have pushed the boundaries of possibility. Entitled “Hot Takes”, it features unfiltered discussions presented by a chosen industry expert. The latest installments include “Will Change The Future of Content and Media?” from Josh Ness of Verizon 5G Labs and “Brand Strategy In a Post-Pandemic World” from Dushane Ramsay of Square, with many more to come.

Finally, it was a standout year for the ‘People’s Telly Awards’, which are given to the most-loved pieces chosen by the Telly Awards audience and, this year, received the most public votes in the history of the category. Winners include Square’s “Black Owned”, a stirring film series chronicling the lives of Black business owners across three of the nation’s most populous cities, the Walt Disney Company’s “Cooking with Pixar”, and WeTransfer’s “Doubt. Create. Repeat.” global brand campaign. The latter boldly calls on the creative community to harness feelings of doubt in pursuit of their ideas.

View the 42nd Annual Telly Awards Winners Reel below!

About The Telly Awards:
The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multi-screen industry The Telly Awards celebrates. Partners of The Telly Awards include NAB, Stash Media, Production Hub, and Independent Filmmaker Project.

Gold Winners 2021 “Cultural Television Category”

Daniel Productions “Pathway to Success”
Al Jazeera Media Network  “The Cinema Show”

Silver Winners "Cultural Television Category"
Que Pasa NJ?  “Que Pasa?”
-CBS Interactive “The Late Show: Better know a Ballot”
Samantha Brown “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love-Budapest”
PBS  “The Black Church Promotional Campaign”
HBO Latin America (Warner Media) “ELAS NO SINGULAR”

Bronze Winners "Cultural Television Category"
Latin Heat Media “The TRENDTalk Show”
Montgomery Community Media “Black Artists of Montgomery County”
The Africa Channel “Amah Knows Best”
Orange TV “Live from Home Series”
Powers Music Group “GMA3 Michael, Sara and Keke”

Link to Telly web site 2021 Winner’s page
https://www.tellyawards.com/winners/2021/television/series-series-cultural
(click on third box and scroll down to “Series: Cultural” for more information)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
[email protected]
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620 www.aaccnj.com

May 19, 2021


“The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, Junior Achievement of New Jersey and Fedcap, Inc. have partnered to pilot “The Village Program”.
TRENTON, NJ – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) in partnership with The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, Junior Achievement of New Jersey and Fedcap, Inc. will pilot The Village Program over an eight-week period beginning May 24, 2021 to help address the financial disparities that black and brown families living in low-income communities face. Many are headed by parents who lack a high school diploma or GED, eliminating their ability to secure a single job that pays a living wage. Parents are too often forced to hold multiple jobs, requiring them to spend many hours at work, away from their children. These circumstances prevent them from helping their children with homework and supporting their academic success. The cycle of poverty then persists into the next generation with poor education and low-wage jobs. Economic well-being and financial literacy remains out of reach.

The Village Program, a unique project, focused on the whole family unit, will increase the household income of ten to sixteen families through training, job readiness, job placement and financial literacy. The pilot will engage not just the parents, but the whole family unit,   positioning both adults and children for growth, opportunity and a better economic standing.

“This is an opportunity to bring the African Proverb to use for the betterment of families in our Capital City. We are laser focused on working to improve the competitiveness in New Jersey, one family at a time”, said Mr. John E. Harmon, President, Founder and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ).

Kearny Bank has stepped up to address the limited learning support for children in many homes. Recognizing the everyday challenges that black and brown communities face and the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has created for these families - such as access to technology and materials needed to continue learning while schools are closed - the bank provided a generous grant to fund The Village Program.

“Kearny Bank is deeply committed to contributing to New Jersey’s communities, which quite naturally led to our ongoing relationship with Junior Achievement,” explains Kearny Bank’s President and CEO, Craig Montanaro. “By extension, we’re now delighted to have the opportunity to help support the Village Program. I can’t think of a better way to utilize our resources than by helping families who have endured particular hardship because of the pandemic.”

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey:
The AACCNJ performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

About The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey:
Founded in 1894, The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk infants, children, youth, and families achieve their potential. They protect abused or neglected infants and children, strengthen families, and strive for stable, permanent, and loving homes. The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey gives parents the knowledge they need to help their children and themselves long after active services have ended.

About Fedcap, Inc.:
Fedcap, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Fedcap Group, an international nonprofit focused on eliminating barriers to economic well-being. The mission of Fedcap, Inc. is to make high-outcome, life-changing, sustainable differences for individuals and families, by providing an array of workforce development and educational services. With service delivery sytems in New Jersey, New York, Maine and Washington DC, Fedcap, Inc. is committed to ensuring that every individual served can experience the dignity that comes from a job. https://fedcapinc.org/

About Junior Achievement of New Jersey:
Junior Achievement of New Jersey, as one of 105 local JA Areas across the nation, is dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success and plan for their futures. JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial empowerment—are provided at no cost to schools across the state, and through thousands of volunteer role models, ignite a spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century. To learn more: janj.org.

About Kearny Bank:
Seamlessly melding the finest traditions of community banking with state-of-the-industry capabilities, Kearny Bank provides a range of progressive offerings to its personal and business banking clients. Established in 1884, and operating now from administrative headquarters in Fairfield, NJ, Kearny Bank is steadily expanding its footprint throughout New Jersey, as well as New York City’s Brooklyn and Staten Island boroughs. Additional details are available online at kearnybank.com; an overview video can be viewed at bit.ly/2IUWeWJ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2021

Wells Fargo Announces $4 Million in New Relief Aid to Help New Jersey Small Businesses Impacted by Covid-19

Company selects African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, New Jersey Community Capital, Regional Business Assistance Corp. and Cooperative Business Assistance Corp. to receive grants from its Open for Business Fund

Trenton (May 18, 2021) – Wells Fargo has selected New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) who is working in partnership with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) , the Regional Business Assistance Corporation (RBAC) and Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation (CBAC) to receive grants from its Open for Business Fund (OFB), a nationwide small business recovery effort. The $4 million in new funding to these organizations will help underserved small businesses stay open, preserve jobs through short- and long-term COVID-19 resiliency efforts. The grants were announced today at a press conference in Trenton, NJ attended by City of Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, County Executive Brian Hughes and County Commissioner Samuel Frisby.

"Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund is another avenue of support and enlists the expertise of CDFIs to urgently help diverse entrepreneurs recover and preserve the jobs they provide in their communities,” said Wanda Saez, senior vice president of Social Impact and Sustainability. "The funding will provide much needed access to capital with increased equity in resources and technical assistance for local businesses who are the backbone of our local economies and neighborhoods."

The Open for Business Fund is as an approximately $420 million small business recovery effort across the U.S. to help entrepreneurs recover and rebuild. The initiative focuses on increasing access to capital, technical expertise, and long-term resiliency programs especially for racially and ethnically diverse small business owners who have been hard hit by COVID-19. Through April, the fund is already projected to reach 26,000 small businesses helping entrepreneurs keep roughly 75,000 jobs.

“President Obama said, no one is successful alone. Wells Fargo has been an integral part of the success of the AACCNJ since our inception. Today's investment will strengthen our ability to advance and sustain our mission while also enabling us to impact small businesses through technical supportive services and needed capital”, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.

NJCC has partnered with the AACCNJ to increase access to capital and financial relief for Black and minority-owned small businesses in New Jersey through the Equitable Small Business Initiative. The program provides both immediate capital and technical assistance, including working capital loans, capacity building and administrative support, to small businesses most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as long-term financial resources to sustain and grow these vital catalysts of local economies.

“We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Wells Fargo to enhance the lending ecosystem for diverse-owned small businesses across New Jersey,” said Wayne Meyer, President of NJCC. “The pandemic continues to highlight the historical challenges Black and Latinx entrepreneurs and small business owners face when trying to access equitable financing and business supports. The Equitable Small Business Initiative seeks to reverse this trend, grow vibrant local businesses, and generate wealth for their owners and communities.”

“Small Businesses are the most important component of our ability to recover and grow our economy, in a post COVID world,” said William Pazmino, Executive Director of RBAC. “RBAC understands that growth happens when people work together, we are incredibly fortunate to receive this generous donation from Wells Fargo which will allow us to provide financing to our small businesses recovery and rebuilding efforts. This partnership with Wells Fargo will drive our efforts to support local entrepreneurs and help our communities bounce back from the pandemic.”

RBAC, will utilize the OFB grant to focus on serving small businesses throughout the state of New Jersey with a special focus on LMI income communities. The funds will serve as lending capital for COVID-19 relief with an average loan size of $25,000 to help diverse business owners cover expenses associated with hardships caused by the pandemic.

“This partnership with Wells Fargo allows us to fill a lending gap that many traditional financial institutions are unable to fill,” said Harry Stone, President and CEO of CBAC. “We are grateful to help support small business in these challenging times and help fledgling businesses to grow and thrive.”

The funding to CBAC which was announced earlier this year will help underserved small businesses in South Jersey stay open, preserve jobs and expand micro lending activities and programming for diverse business owners.

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

About Cooperative Business Assistance Corp
Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation (CBAC) is a non-profit, public-private partnership created in 1987. Established to encourage the growth and stability of the small business sector, CBAC facilitates opportunities for banks to make business loans in the City of Camden, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the seven counties located in Southern New Jersey. By strengthening small businesses, Cooperative Business provides funding for working capital, equipment financing, and real estate financing which results in job retention and creation that ultimately contributes to the stabilization of the community. Cooperative Business offers small business owners and entrepreneurs below market interest rate loans, technical assistance, and a professional referral network.
CBAC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, a Certified Development Entity, a U.S. Small Business Administration MicroLoan Intermediary, and a U.S. Small Business Administration Associate Development Company making SBA MicroLoans in seven counties in Southern New Jersey. If your business is located in Camden, Atlantic, Burlington, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, or Cape May Counties CBAC has funds available with flexible repayment plans.

About New Jersey Community Capital
New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides an innovative toolkit of financial products, programs and services to advance equity and opportunity in underserved communities. NJCC supports the preservation and development of affordable housing and sustainable community development ventures that increase jobs, improve education and strengthen neighborhoods to ensure that communities can thrive. To learn more, visit www.newjerseycommunitycapital.org and Twitter: @NJCLF.

About RBAC
Regional Business Assistance Corporation (RBAC) is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) who’s mission is to foster economic development and entrepreneurship by providing loan capital through SBA financing and business mentoring. RBAC offers SBA 504 loan program, SBA 7(a) Community Advantage and Microloan Programs to underserved small businesses, with loan amounts up to $5,500,000. In addition to our lending programs we offers our borrowers business mentoring to help them grow their businesses and employ more people. To learn more about RBAC visit www.rbacloan.com .

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is a community-based financial services company. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,200 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com). Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2021

NJBIA and AACCNJ Establish a
CEO Pledge to Increase Diversity

Trenton NJ - The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to drive diversity and inclusion in workforce development, supplier diversity, and board reputation, and employment advancement through a formalized pledge signed by New Jersey executives.

The CEO Pledge established by the two groups will call for lead executives to commit to a set of diversity and inclusion-related goals and be scored by a collaborative workgroup on a series of metrics to ensure progress on those goals are being met on a quarterly basis.

Since its inception in 2007, The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) statewide, nationally, and globally, has labored consistently to use its platform to magnify the economic conditions of black people, and black businesses and their efforts to keep pace with the mainstream even during a normal economic environment. There has been a heightened awareness of the AACCNJ, as many have joined our mission as a result of the devastating impact of Covid 19 on blacks and Black businesses. We have used this increased visibility as a “Call to Action” to our corporate partners, and many have answered the call, yet there is still more that needs to be done, “ John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.

“There are so many businesses that want to address the inequities that exist in the workplace, but this pledge is all about truly moving the needle and walking the walk,” NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka said. “It puts our businesses on a pathway to equality and ensures action and accountability. We believe this will be a game-changer in bringing more diversity to workplaces and on boards throughout the state.”

Metrics to be scored by those signing onto the CEO Pledge will include, but not be limited to:

Increases in the number of Black people on boards of directors for participating companies.
Increases in the number of Black people serving on other corporate boards of directors.
Increases in workforce development, recruitment and employment advancement opportunities for Black people.
Increases in procurement and supply chain opportunities for Black people or Black-owned businesses.
Creation of good corporate citizenship programs that will positively impact the social and economic standing of Black people or Black-owned businesses within a community.

The MOU is the culmination of continued talks that commenced last July when the AACCNJ and NJBIA hosted an executive roundtable that focused on increasing diversity and inclusion throughout all levels of the workforce, procurement, and the supply chain.

Both groups have already started the process of recruiting participating businesses. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to take part in the pledge.

“In a two-day Diversity & Inclusion hosted by NJBIA on March 31 and April 1, we heard from many businesses wanting to do the right thing and from many in the community on how far we have to go to improve the economic inequities that exist for Black individuals,” Siekerka said. “With this increased awareness and willingness to bring change, we’re optimistic that executives will want to take the pledge.”

“It is beyond time to increase economic opportunities for Black people and Black businesses,” Harmon added. “For those businesses that take the pledge we are certain, that creating these opportunities for a more diverse and inclusive workforce will help to improve each businesses’ bottom line, as well as their organizations culture which will be in alignment with the building consensus for a more equitable trajectory for black businesses. We welcome the opportunity to serve as a conduit for diversity in the marketplace.”

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Contact: Samantha DeAlmeida
Email: jharmon[email protected] Email: [email protected]
Phone: 609.571.1620 Phone: 732.597.2434

Associated Builders and Contractors New Jersey and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Denounce Governor Murphy’s
Signing of PLA Legislation into Law

Mt. Laurel, NJ – April 30, 2021: The Associated Builders and Contractors New Jersey Chapter (ABCNJ) and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) issued a joint statement today criticizing Governor Phil Murphy for signing Bill S-3414/A-5378 which requires government-mandated Project Labor Agreements (PLA) to apply to any public works contract exceeding $5 million.

By definition, PLAs are “project-specific collective bargaining agreements” almost exclusively found in the construction industry. These agreements require contractors to recognize unions as the representatives of their employees on a given project exceeding $5 million, making it almost impossible for merit shop contractors to bid on many taxpayer-funded construction projects. In fact, according to the most recent data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 only 17.8 % of New Jersey’s private construction workforce was represented by a union.

According to ABCNJ officials, the cost of PLAs is well documented. For example, an October 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development report found PLAs on school construction projects in the state were 30% more expensive and had an average construction schedule duration of 100 weeks compared to 78 weeks for non-PLA projects. Additional studies in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York also found PLA mandates increase the cost of construction between 12% and 18%, on average, compared to non-PLA projects. Likewise, a 2017 study by the Beacon Hill Institute, found that PLAs increased the base construction cost of building Ohio schools by 13%, or $23 per square foot.

“This legislation is an example of how government can hurt the people it purports to help, give unfair advantages to favored special interests, and squeezes the middle class,” said ABCNJ President Samantha DeAlmeida. “It will eliminate competition from the available pool of qualified merit shop contractors who simply want to compete on a level playing field, especially when bidding work in their own communities. The bottom line is this law is nothing more than a taxpayer subsidy to big labor.”

“This ill-conceived PLA legislation directs public project funding to politically-connected union firms at the expense of the more than 80% of New Jersey construction workers who have chosen not to join a union,” said AACCNJ President and CEO John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM. Furthermore, 98% of minority owned construction related businesses are non-union and will realize no benefits from this law. In fact, many have told me that it could double their costs by forcing them to contribute to pension funds, health care projects, and union dues of which their workers are not beneficiaries.” Moreover, this decision is devastating because there was ample room for compromise and it demonstrates an unwillingness to take a small step that could have had a transformational impact on Black, Hispanic, Women, Veteran, and small businesses in our state. It appears that the fact that Blacks receive only 1% of Public Contracts is inconsequential to the administration; notwithstanding the 94% percent of their vote to elect this administration. The irony is, the more things change, the more they remain the same in New Jersey. This would have been the perfect time for this administration to demonstrate their support for the national call for equity. As James Baldwin said: “I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do.”

“Frankly, the Governor’s support for this legislation at this time is confusing, considering he conditionally vetoed this legislation in August of last year. The only change to the bill is the newly added diversity language that was nothing but a guise to shepherd this legislation across the finish line. Alternative ideas that would have actually protected and benefited minorities were offered by both ABC and AACCNJ in hopes of finding a fair compromise, but to no avail. Hardworking taxpayers in New Jersey deserve more efficient and effective policies that will encourage all qualified contractors and their skilled workforce to compete for the opportunity to build long-lasting, quality projects at the best price. Respectfully, this law does just the opposite,” DeAlmeida concluded.

About Associated Builders and Contractors: ABC is a national association representing 21,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 69 Chapters across the United States. Our membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry. ABC NJ is the industry's liaison to federal, state, and local governments and the public at large. For more information, please visit our website at www.abcnjc.org.

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey: The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce. AACCNJ website - www.aaccnj.com.

Capital City Area Black Caucus Recognition 2019
Founded AACCNJ Membership Outreach Committee 2020
Founded and Coined AACCNJ “Black Friday” Networking Mixers 2020
Created “Member Promotions” Bulletin Concept 2020
Hollins University Equestrian Team Member 2010 – 2014
Chamber Valley Orchestra Member, on flute, 2010 - 2014
Roanoke Valley, VA SPCA Volunteer 2010 - 2014
Winners Circle Concert – Carnegie Hall, NYC – Classically trained pianist through 2009 Westminster Conservatory of Music, Princeton, NJ.
Princeton Ballet School – Classically trained in Ballet through 2009
Red Cross Level Swimmer & Girl Scout “Gold Award” Recipient, 2007
Adult Member of the Girls Scouts of America 2009 - present

About Nicole Baptiste

When Nicole is not working at the chamber, she spends her spare time volunteering at animal shelters, horseback riding and working as a pet stylist. Nicole is a member of Union Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ. She enjoys international travel, and in 2019 traveled to Dubai on a seven day stay in the United Arab Emirates. She is a true Jersey girl, born in Princeton, New Jersey and her favorite place to be is at the Jersey Shore.

Nicole’s parents Jacqueline and Alberto Baptiste are Rider University Alumna and Alumnus, her father Alberto Baptiste was inducted in 1998 into the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame and is a member of the Rider University Board of Trustees and EOP CAB.
Jacqueline Baptiste has served as the Executive Assistant to the Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ, since October 2011. Nicole has one sibling, Noelle Baptiste – graphic designer, artist, couture runway model, and USFA Silver Medalist for Epee Fencing 2012.

Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from Hollins University in 2014.
Nicole is a graduate of the Peddie School, Hightstown, NJ 2009

Email Address - [email protected] (609)571-1620

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Peter Okun, (973) 998-9801
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2021

Cedar Knolls, New Jersey – March 23, 2021 – The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (NJMEP) announces they are teaming with the African American Chamber of Commerce New Jersey (AACCNJ) to deliver accelerated work and learn apprenticeship programs designed to upskill current and future workers for jobs in manufacturing and supply chain industries.

“AACCNJ is pleased to team with NJMEP to help create a pipeline of workers that will have increased marketable skills that will positively impact their future earning potential. In addition, we will serve as a conduit to assist manufacturers in achieving their production goals and thereby maintain a thriving economy,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President &CEO, AACCNJ. It is also important to note that these programs support all types of registered apprenticeship and certification models, including pre-apprenticeships.

NJMEP currently trains 160 underemployed or unemployed individuals from Newark, Paterson, Camden and Trenton who will be provided with online Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) training. These individuals will receive foundational certifications in manufacturing or transportation, logistics and distribution (TLD) – the qualification helps with upskilling and onboarding.  NJMEP and AACCNJ are currently accepting additional program participants.

Participants will graduate from the program as either Certified Production Technicians (Content: Safety Awareness, Production & Process, Maintenance Awareness, Quality Assurance) or Certified Logistics Technicians (Content: Global Supply Chain Logistics, Logistics Environment, Material Handling Equipment, Safety Principles, Safe Material Handling & Equipment Operation).  The upskilling opportunity is relevant to those looking for entry level jobs, planning to start participating in an apprenticeship program or adding formal training to their education mix – only the resume is needed for the application (via email [email protected]).
For the employer, these program participants are ready to apply for entry level positions.

NJMEP also offers apprenticeship programs to all manufacturing and supply chain companies in New Jersey through the Pro-Action Education NetworkTM, which includes registered apprenticeship programs (Industrial Manufacturing Production Technician (IMPT), Technical Sales Representative, IMPT Food, IMPT CNC, and Logistics Technician), Train-the-Mentor, on the job training, and career advancement training; as well as the Food Training programs that have received national support from National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST-MEP).

“As industry adopts new technologies, it is vital to be able to quickly adapt with a well-trained workforce,” said John W. Kennedy, Ph.D., CEO, NJMEP.” “Having the most current standards will drive manufacturing competitiveness and simultaneously grow new talent to these new occupations, upskill current employees, and allow companies to be more agile in their workforce planning.”
“We look forward to helping as many people as possible in accessing these valuable accelerated work and apprenticeship programs; the benefits could prove to be transformational, for their lives.” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.

About NJMEP:
NJMEP is a private, not–for-profit organization that improves the profitability and competitiveness of New Jersey’s manufacturers. Backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NJMEP enables organizations to enhance their productivity and efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve employee performance.

For more than 20 years, NJMEP has used its extensive network of connections and proven track record of success to help manufacturers adapt to the latest innovative technologies and best practices to realize more than $5.4 billion in value. Our services are categorized into the following three areas: Operational Excellence, Innovation and Growth Strategies, and Workforce Development. NJMEP also has a signature philanthropic program, Manufacturing Cares, which is designed to provide a platform for manufacturers to give back to the community by pooling efforts to increase our impact.

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey:
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kari Pencek, Investors Bank Bob Rinklin, Essential Public Relations
973-924-5176 973-768-2425,
[email protected] [email protected]

Investors Bank Hosts 710 WOR’s Mind Your Business Program
Offering Small Businesses Useful Ideas for Building Back After the Crisis

Program Airs on Sunday, March 28 at 10 p.m.

New York City (March 23, 2021) – Investors Bank’s Head of Business & Government Banking, Michael MacIntyre will guest host 710 WOR-AM’s Mind Your Business program for Yitzchok Saftlas, the show’s founder, on Sunday, March 28 beginning
at 10 p.m.

MacIntyre will interview the leaders of three major chambers of commerce and a top community development financial institution (CDFI). The host and each guest will review the range of resources and financial management tools, plus grants or loans aimed at helping small businesses recover from the pandemic as quickly as possible. In addition. The discussions will touch on the assistance and support available for small businesses through the recently enacted $1.9 billion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), including grants to restaurants and hospitality businesses.

Joining MacIntyre on Mind Your Business are the following leaders:

Randy Peers, President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
John Harmon, IOM, Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Thomas Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce
Paul Quintero, CEO of Ascendus CDFI

In announcing the upcoming program, MacIntyre said, “Each guest will outline the many private sector and public sector resources available to help continue the recovery process. Armed with this information and assistance from the chambers, CDFIs and banks, MacIntyre said, small business owners will be better prepared to “come out stronger on the opposite side of this crisis.”

Audiences may tune into the “Mind Your Business” program on the radio station 710 WOR-AM or listen online at https://www.mybradio.com.

About Investors Bank
Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service commercial bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With more than $26 billion in assets and a network of more than 150 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s banking services include complete deposit, loan and treasury management products for consumers and businesses. Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Website: https://www.myinvestorsbank.com/

About Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
For over 100 years, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has spoken to the needs of the Brooklyn business community. Founded on Feb.6, 1918, the Brooklyn Chamber was, even then, a “modern” organization that saw itself as a protector and promoter of the commercial and industrial interests of the city. The Brooklyn Chamber has developed and nurtured an active civic spirit and sought to safeguard and improve living conditions and social welfare for local businesses and residents. The organization has a vibrant history that encapsulates the diverse, innovative and ever-evolving Brooklyn business community. As Brooklyn continues to evolve, the Brooklyn Chamber consistently works to offer top-quality services and new opportunities for its members. It advances the borough through outstanding promotion, support and advocacy as Brooklyn’s leading economic development organization. Website: https://www.brooklynchamber.com/

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The AACCNJ performs an essential role in New Jersey’s economy. The Chamber seeks to economically empower and sustain African American communities, facilitating entrepreneurship and free enterprise activity within the state with direct programs. While providing a collective voice for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity while fostering a climate of growth through major initiatives on education and public policy levels. Website: http://www.aaccnj.com/

About the Queens Chamber of Commerce
The Queens Chamber is the oldest and largest business association in the borough. The Chamber represents more than 1,300 companies with over 125,000 Queens-based employees. By helping businesses foster connections, advocating for their interests, educating them for success, and implementing programs that help them grow, the Chamber brings jobs and economic opportunity to every corner of the borough. Since 1911, the Chamber has been dedicated to helping build a strong local economy in Queens. Never in the past 110 years has the Chamber’s work been more important than it is today. Website: https://www.queenschamber.org/

About Ascendus CDFI
Ascendus, formerly Accion East, empowers low- to moderate-income (LMI) business owners with access to capital and financial education. With economic opportunity, these entrepreneurs – often individuals of color and women – can build assets, better provide for their families, create employment opportunities for their neighbors and strengthen their communities. Ascendus helps companies succeed. At Ascendus, teams work with business owners to advance businesses as well as their lives. Ascendus is dedicated to helping passionate entrepreneurs build successful businesses that provide for their families and improve their communities. Website: https://www.ascendus.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Contact: Samantha DeAlmeida
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Phone: 609.571.1620 Phone: 732.597.2434

African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and
Associated Builders and Contractors New Jersey Chapter
Issue Joint Opposition Statement on Bill S-3414/A-5378

Trenton, NJ – March 22, 2021 – Later this week, the New Jersey Assembly will vote on bill S-3414/A-5378, which revises the “public work projects” definition to permit government-mandated project labor agreements on additional categories of jobs. Under the existing Project Labor Agreement Act, if a public works contract is for the construction, reconstruction, demolition, or renovation of buildings over $5 million, it is subject to a government-mandated Project Labor Agreement (PLA). S-3414/A-5378 will extend the PLA requirement to any public works contract exceeding $5 million.

A Project Labor Agreement is between an owner of a specific construction project and applicable labor unions. It is an agreement that union rules must be followed throughout the course of the project, making it very difficult for non-union contractors to participate. Union wages, union-level medical benefits, union dues, and pension contributions must all be paid, even by a non-union contractor, though that money will not be credited to the non-union employees. Typically, PLAs are only used on local, state, and federal projects as private corporations find them wasteful and too expensive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019), only 17.8 % of New Jersey’s private construction workforce is represented by a union.

“98% of Black and Hispanic construction companies are non-union shops. Thus, a Project Labor Agreement greatly limits the opportunities for Black and Hispanic firms,” said John Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. “The possibility of Black and Hispanic labor is greatly suppressed. It is beyond disappointing when we see diversity clauses added to legislation that is fundamentally harmful to minority communities” Harmon continued. “The diversity language within this bill is a guise of permissive language that has absolutely no benefit to the African American community within the state.”

“It is beyond disappointing that our legislators continue to support this exclusionary legislation that shuts out 80% of the construction workforce in New Jersey, many of which are minority and female-owned businesses,” said Samantha DeAlmeida, Second Vice President and Government Affairs Liaison. “The Project Labor Agreement Act mandated the creation of a yearly report analyzing the effectiveness of project labor agreements and a comparison of the performance of public works projects with PLA’s to those public works projects without PLA’s. New Jersey has been non-compliant for 13 years, only having followed their law once.”

On July 25th, 2002, The Project Labor Agreement Act was signed into law. Section C:52:38 of the Act required an annual report be provided to the Governor and Legislature detailing the effectiveness of all PLAs entered pursuant to the act. Parameters of the required report were outlined including a requirement that the first report is prepared and submitted on December 31, 2003, and each year thereafter. Additionally, the Act requires that in the 2006 report an analysis should be included detailing the overall effectiveness of the Act. To date, the only study that has been conducted took place in 2010, based on data from 2008.

“This is simply unacceptable. Until the State complies with its own law, it should not be creating additional laws to expand PLAs, without understanding the impact on the State. Our organization which represents over 450,000 workers in the State vehemently opposes this action. We are asking on behalf of our members, taxpayers in the State of New Jersey, and the entire construction workforce that the majority of the construction industry have an equitable opportunity to work on these public projects,” DeAlmeida continued.

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey: AACCNJ performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit https://www.aaccnj.com/.

About Associated Builders and Contractors: ABC is a national association representing 21,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 69 Chapters across the United States. Our membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry. ABC NJ is the industry's liaison to federal, state, and local governments and the public at large. For more information, please visit our website at www.abcnjc.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2021

Pascale Sykes Foundation Commits $1,000,000 to
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and New Jersey Community Capital to Expand Entrepreneurship Opportunities

TRENTON, NJ. – The Pascale Sykes Foundation announces today, its contribution to the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) and New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) to support Black business enterprises (BBEs), which have historically faced challenges in the United States. Through a $1,000,000 investment in the Equitable Small Business Initiative (ESBI), the contribution will help create opportunities for BBEs in New Jersey seeking access to resources and support to establish, sustain, augment, or expand business operations, as well as those economically impacted by the pandemic.

In January of 2021, the AACCNJ and NJCC partnered to pilot formation of the Equitable Small Business Initiative (ESBI), a $5 million commitment to bring capital to small business. A partnership between a community development financial institution (CDFI) and a New Jersey-based Chamber of Commerce has never been executed on this scale, catalyzing capital to small, BBEs.

The objective of the Equitable Small Business Initiative is to provide high-touch and individualized technical assistance, capacity building and administrative support for program borrowers, to connect BBEs to critical capital to address their emergent and longer-term business financing objectives and provide pandemic relief loans.

“We’re honored to support initiatives like this. As sole proprietorships and family-run businesses primarily define the Black business community, they often require non-conventional loans and business guidance for sustainable growth. In collaboration with the AACCNJ and NJCC in this capacity, we can directly affect family owned and operated businesses, be more inclusive, and positively affect a greater number of people,” Fran Sykes, President, Pascale Sykes Foundation.

“We embrace the philosophy of the Pascale Sykes Foundation of investing their resources into communities and businesses that have struggled to realize their potential due to a lack of intentional economic investment. Through our partnership, we will provide technical assistance and needed capital to support businesses that have been marginalized due to systemic barriers. This investment by Pascale Sykes Foundation serves as a response to a clarion call for help by a number of Black, Hispanic and small business owners, however, this time Pascale Sykes Foundation answered the call.” John E. Harmon Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO, AACCNJ.

“It's important we step back and ask ourselves; how can we help communities mitigate these challenges while building long-term resilience.” says Wayne Meyer, President of NJCC.

For additional information, or inquiries, regarding loan programming, contact the following representatives at AACCNJ or NJCC:

Phillip D. Woolfolk, Senior Loan Administrator, [email protected] 609-610-6310
Dina Gonzalez, Community Development Officer, [email protected] 609-516-8468
Dawn Hare, Home Ownership Program Associate and Lending Administrator
New Jersey Community Capital, [email protected] 732-640-2061 ext.119

About the Pascale Sykes Foundation
The Pascale Sykes Foundation builds strong families by advocating for and funding innovative, holistic social and economic programs that transform the lives of working, low-income families. They envision a world where all working, low-income families can be self-sufficient and thrive. A world where all members of a family are able to identify and use all the tools and services, they need so they can do more than just get by. A world where working families become economically stable and no longer live paycheck to paycheck. A world where they define, create, and live the futures they dream of. For additional information visit PascaleSykesFoundation.com.

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

About New Jersey Community Capital
New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides an innovative toolkit of financial products, programs, and services to advance equity and opportunity in underserved communities. NJCC supports the preservation and development of affordable housing and sustainable community development ventures that increase jobs, improve education, and strengthen neighborhoods to ensure that communities can thrive. To learn more, visit www.newjerseycommunitycapital.org and Twitter @NJCLF.

March 1, 2021
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM,
Founder, President and CEO
AACCNJ
[email protected]
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com

“The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is proud to announce the appointment of Phillip D. Woolfolk as its Chief Operations Officer to oversee operations, the expansion of the chamber’s capacity to provide access to capital, technical assistance to the small business community, support strategic partnerships and assist the CEO in achieving mutual value and benefit for large and small members, supporters, and governmental agencies, as we collaborate to build a more competitive state on the talents of all our citizens. Phillip has brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Chamber Board and general operations, and helped to serve many businesses, making the chamber a very strong resource partner for the state during this drastic downturn in the economy,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President and CEO, IOM.

Phillip D. Woolfolk most recently served as the Managing Principal & Profitability Advisor for Main Street Advisory, LLC. Phillip is a Senior Associate for the new social media App, Grapevyne, and is Co-founder of P & P Real Estate Investment Company, founded in 1989 focused on residential and commercial mixed used real estate.

Phillip is a creative thinker and award-winning executive with a background that includes Chief Administrative Officer of a Charter School, Vice President & Fair Lending Manager responsible for fair-lending compliance, compliance training, and management for the seven-state market area of a multi-billion-dollar federal savings bank. He also served as the Community Development Management for low-and moderate-income residential mortgage lending for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. He has expertise in Small Business, SBA, and commercial real estate lending. Phillip served on New Jersey Governor’s transition team, serving on both the Stronger and Fairer Economy and Encouraging Ownership and Inclusive Growth Sub-Committees. Phillip currently serves on the Boards of the African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ (aaccnj.com); US Patent Innovations, LLC, in Tacoma Park, Maryland. Subsidiaries of US Patent Innovations include US Medical Innovations, LLC, which provides innovative medical devices and products to hospitals and surgical specialist around the world (www.usmedinnovations.com); Canady Biotechnology; Canady Robotics; Plasma Medical Life Sciences; and Jerome Canady Research Institute/Advanced Biological and Technological Sciences (JCRI-ABTS).

Phillip’s abbreviated history of community service includes serving as former President of the Business Network International Chapter in Hamilton, NJ;
Former Board Chair of South Jersey Behavioral Health Resources, Inc. in Cherry Hill, NJ; Former Board Chair of Granville Charter Schools Consolidated Board of Trustees in Trenton, NJ; and Former Board Member and Treasurer of Ecumenical Ministries in Newark, NJ.

"Given the continued growth of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) it was time to recruit additional talent to the organization to support our expansion and to assure exceptional customer service to all that have invested in the mission of the AACCNJ."
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM

“The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is proud to announce the appointment of Dina Gonzales as Community Development Officer to provide access to capital technical assistance and community outreach. Dina has worked with the Chamber over the past year serving our members and the larger community, during the pandemic. As an integral part of the team, Dina provided SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and the SBA Paycheck Protection Program Loans. The lending and technical support made a significant difference for many businesses across the state,”
said John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President and CEO.

Dina is a serial-entrepreneur and the owner of Breaking the Barriers Development Group, where she provides public relations, marketing, branding, and supportive services to her clients.

Dina has expertise in contractor development, bond readiness, capacity building, client & company assessments, program development, proposal writing, process engineering, workflow development, business development, customer acquisition, and quality controls.

Over the years Dina has served the community as a MOM Volunteer at Ewing US Marine Corps Recruiting Station; Started and Managed a high school internship program to provide employment skills, for Bordentown Regional High School and Hamilton High West.

Dina also implemented a scholarship program for Bordentown Regional High School.

March 1, 2021
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM,
Founder, President and CEO
AACCNJ
[email protected]
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com

PRESS RELEASE

Executives of the African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ and
Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of NJ
Co-Author Letter to Assemblyman Chair of
Financial Institutional and Insurance Committee
With an Urgent Plea to
Ban the Use of Discriminatory Race-Based Factors in Car Insurance
in the State of New Jersey

February 25, 2021 – Princeton, New Jersey – John E. Harmon, Sr. IOM of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) and Carlos A. Medina, Esq. of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ) co-author letter to the Honorable John McKeon, New Jersey Assemblyman and Chair, Assembly Financial Institutional and Insurance Committee ,urging him to post Bill A-1657 (Quijano) on the Committee’s next agenda. Their plea, which included requesting a vote in favor of its release from Committee, comes on the heels of the New Jersey Senate having voted to prohibit the use of education, occupation and credit score as rating factors in automobile insurance underwriting (Bill S-111 (Gill)). Harmon and Medina stated that ending this deep-seeded and insidious form of systemic discrimination now lays in the hands of the Assembly. The bill passage would create a statewide ban on the use of “income proxies” in determining car insurance rates and end secretive practices that unfairly charge higher rates to those who do not have college degree, hold high paying white-collar jobs, or have less than perfect credit, regardless of whether they have ever had a ticket or accident.

In the letter, Harmon and Medina said jointly, “our organizations represent thousands of business owners and millions of families in minority communities throughout the state who are tired of failed promises to dismantle the building block of systemic discrimination that has become embedded in so many aspects of society.” They went on to urge Assemblyman McKeon to replace words of support with true action and change, noting that a ban on the use of income proxies will both create fairness in the cost of auto insurance and level the playing field for insurance carriers. The key leaders added, “All New Jersey residents deserve fairness in the price they pay for coverage. Rate-setting should be based on an individual’s driving history and safety, and not on where a person works or whether they have a college degree.”

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit https://www.aaccnj.com/.

Founded in 1989, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ) has become the voice of the 119,000 Hispanic Owned businesses that contribute over $20 Billion to the State’s economy. Its mission is to promote the continued growth and development of New Jersey business while upholding the highest standards of conduct and excellence. In addition to expanding such business opportunities, SHCCNJ provides education and training for entrepreneurs and business owners as well as is an active and visible advocate in the political process. For more information, visit https://shccnj.org/.

As a result of the social unrest that spanned the nation and the globe, after the death of George Floyd, the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) in partnership with the United States Chamber of Commerce (USCC) launched an initiative in June of 2020 to accelerate "equality of opportunity" through focused advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion. This initiative was embraced by a number of AACCNJ affiliated partners. The goal was simple - level the playing fields for Blacks across all sectors of New Jersey and the nation's economy. What follows is a snapshot of some of the gains that have been made as these corporations have matched their words with their actions. This is a good beginning to addressing some of the structural inequities that exist in the state and the nation. We thank these corporations for “responding to the call”.

Let us keep moving forward, TOGETHER...

February 3, 2021
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
[email protected]
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620 – [email protected] www.aaccnj.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2021

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey hosts
The Eleventh Annual Circle of Achievement Virtual Awards Gala

TRENTON, NJ  — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) on February 11th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., will host its annual Black History Month Event, The Eleventh Annual Circle of Achievement Awards Gala. The theme for this first Virtual Black-Tie Awards Gala is “Responding to the Call”, and will stream live on the AACCNJ website www.aaccnj.com.

Each year during Black History Month, the AACCNJ recognizes a distinguished group of African Americans that have attained a significant level of accomplishment in business, politics, education, sports and/or entertainment.  The 2021 Honorees are: Alison Banks-Moore, Chief Diversity Officer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic Medalist, Ralph Albert Thomas, CPA (DC), CGMA, CEO & Executive Director, New Jersey CPA Society, and Ralph Weaver, Founder & CEO, East West Connection.

The AACCNJ is also pleased to announce the Keynote Speaker for the Gala; is Bob Kendricks, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City, Missouri.

During most of 2020 due to safety and health regulations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the AACCNJ has established itself for being able to present virtual high-quality content events, with the support of our strategic and corporate partnerships. The AACCNJ has doubled down on its commitment during this critical time of advancing its mission to sustain as many black businesses as possible through sharing resources, opportunities, and information vital to the survival of these business owners and their communities. This annual Gala provides the platform, on behalf of AACCNJ members and the over 80,000 New Jersey black owned businesses, to continue to showcase our members and their goods and services with the goal of increasing supplier diversity and inclusion for opportunities throughout the state, on behalf of the 1.2 Black New Jersey residents.

The AACCNJ is thankful to the Honorees for accepting the recognition, and while we appreciate all levels of sponsorship support for this Gala, the organization would like to give a special thank you to our Exclusive Event Title Sponsor and Platinum Sponsor.

AACCNJ is pleased to announce Bristol Myers Squibb as the "Exclusive Event Title Sponsor" of the 2021 Gala.

"Bristol Myers Squibb is delighted to be the title sponsor of the AACCNJ's 11th Annual Awards Gala, and congratulations to all honorees and award winners," said Rondu Vincent, executive director, supplier diversity & sustainability. "At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are committed to supplier diversity and to working with suppliers representing the diversity of our employees, our patients and the communities where we live and work. We look forward to building relationship with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and continue to drive economic development and create impact in the diverse business communities that includes African American business owners." Bristol Myers Squibb is a leading biopharma company with a significant presence in central New Jersey.

The AACCNJ announces Investors Bank as Platinum Sponsors for the 2021 Gala.

“Strong communities are essential to the economic vitality of New Jersey, and strong businesses provide the foundation for that economy. However, this only happens when all communities are recognized, heard, and afforded the same opportunities,” said Kevin Cummings, Chairman and CEO, Investors Bank. “Investors Bank is proud to support the African American Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to ensure the collective voice of African American business leaders are given those opportunities. Investors congratulates the Gala honorees for their outstanding contributions and the pride they bring to all communities.” Kevin Cummings, Chairman & CEO, Investors Bank.

“The success of the mission of the AACCNJ and the growth and sustainability of our constituency is inextricably linked to the Resources, Opportunities and Information provided by our strategic partners, we salute Bristol Myers Squibb and Investors Bank as well as the many sponsors who have made our 2021 Gala possible.” John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM

Registration is available at the following link:
https://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/regmenu.php?orgcode=AANJ

GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

FDU’s School of Public and Global Affairs to reserve a graduate scholarship for African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ

Recipient offered scholarship in Master of Public Administration program

Teaneck, NJ - Fairleigh Dickinson University's School of Public & Global Affairs is reserving one graduate scholarship for the members or employees (or members of their immediate family) of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program.

"As an Alum of FDU, I encourage you to pursue this opportunity to be educated at one of the world's best institutions. FDU helped transform my life." - John E. Harmon, Sr. IOM Founder, President & CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ).
The MPA is a graduate degree for those interested in advancing or pursuing a career in public or non-profit management. The 39-42-credit curriculum is designed to provide graduates with conceptual, analytic, and managerial skills for dealing with a variety of public service administration situations. Learn more about the MPA program and admission requirement here.

“Encouraging college graduates to go into public service is essential to building community,” said Peter Woolley, the founding Director of the School. “It’s community-mindedness that makes the world go ‘round.”

How to Apply:

All members and employees (and their immediate family members) of AACCNJ are welcome to apply for the scholarship. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree and meet other requirements for admission to the MPA. Applicants will be judged on their potential for advancement in their career and their financial need. Application to the MPA program must precede application for the scholarship. Test scores are not required. The application fee is waived.

The application can be found online. Deadline to apply is July 1 for Fall 2021.

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Public and Global Affairs offers a variety of scholarship opportunities. Inquiries should be directed [email protected] or [email protected]

ABOUT FDU’s School of Public and Global Affairs
This unique graduate school attracts students from New Jersey and around the world to FDU’s campuses in British Columbia and New Jersey, preparing them for substantial advancement in public service and non-profit leadership. Since its 2018 founding, the school offers Master’s degrees in Global Affairs, Public Administration (MPA), Student Services, Administrative Science, and Cyber and Homeland Security. It is also home to the FDU Poll which has engaged since 2001 in original research for corporate, non-profit, and government entities.

ABOUT FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY
Personal, global and transformational, FDU is the largest independent, non-profit university in New Jersey, with four campuses in three time zones; two in New Jersey, one in Oxfordshire, England and one in Vancouver, Canada. FDU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including doctoral programs in pharmacy, nursing practice, clinical psychology and school psychology; and an AACSB-accredited business school. To learn more visit fdu.edu

Press releases
2021

"Together We Are Stronger"

Press releases​2021

"Together We Are Stronger"

Press releases
2021