Members In The News
Daniel Productions
Daniel Productions Captures Stories of Excellence, Perseverance, and Purpose
Daniel Productions…Capturing the Spirit of Success on Film
I recently had the opportunity to work on a very compelling project for an organization called BCBB (Believe, Build, Complete, Become). Their mission is vital: helping underserved Black and Brown young men get into and graduate from college, while teaching them the essential life skills they need to succeed. My job was to attend their annual Summit and create a six-to-seven-minute program that captured the spirit of the four-day event.
Throughout the week, we interviewed several students and notable keynote speakers. It was an incredible lineup of educators and keynotes, including Damola Adamolekun (CEO, Red Lobster), entrepreneur Stedman Graham, Dr. Mark Dean—the legendary computer scientist who holds three of the nine patents for IBM's first PC—and actor Blair Underwood.
Over the past three years of working with this organization, I have had the privilege of sitting down with a diverse group of trailblazers and icons who have shared their wisdom with these young men. Listening to the students' stories and the uplifting keynote speeches was an amazing experience where I learned so much myself.
Our past interviews at the BCBB Summit included notable guests such as Common, the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard, and actors Omari Hardwick and Luis Guzman. We’ve also shared space with Jose Hernandez, the former NASA astronaut whose journey is a masterclass in perseverance; he went from working as a migrant worker to being chosen from 18,000 applicants to become an astronaut. Each of these individuals reminds us of the heights we can reach. The common denominator among all of them is perseverance and the will to be excellent.
The atmosphere at the summit was extremely positive. It was inspiring to see all these young people being motivated by such accomplished leaders. I’ve been doing this for many years, and I love what I do, but jobs like this make it exceptionally special. It is extremely rewarding to be able to use my skills to help my people.
Another great part of this story is how I got this opportunity. It started with a phone call from a member of the Chamber who had a friend in need of a video for Tuskegee Next—an organization that teaches underserved young men and women how to fly and earn their pilot's license. The event was only two weeks away when I got the call. I had to produce two videos: a brief history of Tuskegee Next and the Tuskegee Airmen, and a presentation announcing the first Black female United Airlines pilot.
I worked some very long hours and late nights, but I delivered the project on time. The results exceeded the client's expectations, and she was extremely happy with how the presentations went over with the guests. Fast forward to today: she was so pleased with that work that, as I mentioned, she has hired Daniel Productions for the past three years to cover the BCBB Summit.
This article is a success story on many levels. It shows the power of being part of the Chamber. I’m grateful for being a member of the Chamber, for the referral, and for the opportunity to work with a client who returns for more business. Most of all, I’m grateful to see Black people working together. We need that now more than ever!
Our video for the BCBB Summit 2025 won a Telly Award for Editing. Check out these links to take a look at the two videos we produced for BCBB.
Bowa Construction
Mayor Brandon Johnson Celebrates Completion of Northeast Cargo Campus at O’hare International Airport
“Cargo operations have been soaring at O’Hare in recent years, and this essential expansion of our infrastructure helps us keep up with the growing demand,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “We are happy to have Realterm as a long-term cargo partner, and I’m proud to say that Northeast Cargo Phase III is the first major airport cargo facility in the nation to be built by an African American-led construction team under the direction of prime contractor Bowa Construction, in keeping with Mayor Johnson’s vision for a City that creates opportunities for Chicagoans of all backgrounds.”
Berkeley College
Cigna Healthcare Recognizes Berkeley College with 2023 Gold-Level Healthy Workforce Designation for Employee Health and Wellness Programs
Cigna Healthcare has selected Berkeley College as a recipient of its 2023 Gold-Level Healthy Workforce Designation for demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the health and vitality of its employees through a wellness program. This is the fifth consecutive year Berkeley College has earned workplace recognition from Cigna Healthcare.
NJ Sharing Network
NJ Sharing Network’s School Supplies Drive Supports Students in Newark and Paterson
(NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ) – NJ Sharing Network, the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery of donated organs and tissue for transplant in the Garden State, recently completed a successful Back-to-School Supplies Drive to benefit students in need in Newark and Paterson. The collected supplies, including notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, calculators, and more, were generously donated by NJ Sharing Network team members and community partners. The items were then packaged at NJ Sharing Network’s headquarters (as shown in the photo) and distributed to K-12 public school students during NJ Sharing Network’s Live Healthy and Move community events.
“Our NJ Sharing Network team and partners saw an opportunity to come together and make a meaningful impact on the lives of local children by ensuring they have the tools they need for academic success,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network. “The overwhelming response to our Back-to-School Supplies Drive reflects our team’s dedication to uplifting and empowering the communities we serve.”
ROI Influencers Yearbook
AACCNJ Members & Staff Featured In ROI 2023 Influencers of the Year
Michael P. Affuso, New Jersey Bankers Association
Leslie Anderson, New Jersey Redevelopment Authority
James Andreacci, Truist
Paul Ashley, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Leon Baptiste, LB Electric Co.
Jacqueline Baptiste, African American Chamber of NJ
Adenah Bayoh, Adenah Bayoh & Company
William Best, PNC Bank
Frank Bisignano, Fiserv
Ryan Blake, BCB Bank
David Blitzer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Tony Bowrin, William Paterson University
Vanessa Broadhurst, Johnson &Johnson
ROI INFLUENCERS: Environment 2023
Lahbib Chibani, Sadat Associates
David Farer, Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP
ROI Influencers: Real Estate 2023
Adenah Bayoh, Adenah Bayoh & Co.
Athletic Arts Academy
Coach Iya Karade Receives
2024 Community Leadership Award
The Housing and Neighborhood Development Service (HANDS) annually recognizes individuals that connect and uplifts the local community. Awardees will be honored on February 1, 2024 at 5:30 pm at Inner City Cafe in Orange, NJ.
KinderSmile Foundation
Toothache: The Painful Truth About Oral Health Inequity Selected For 22nd Annual Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park
The documentary, produced by KinderSmile Foundation in 2023, highlights meaningful conversations with families, staff, public health advocates, and New Jersey stakeholders. Toothache brings to light real stories of our forgotten communities. It exposes the gap in access to oral health care and outlines a roadmap of innovative solutions for a healthier future for marginalized communities in New Jersey, bringing attention to the need for change, and advocating for a call to action. The documentary will be shown on March 23 at 12 PM.
FCC Consulting Services
AACCNJ Member Receives Grant Funding Through Ocean Wind
Pro-NJ Grantor Trust
FCC Consulting Services was made aware of the opportunity for grant funding from Ocean Wind Pro-NJ Grantor Trust through the African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ in 2021. After applying and receiving funds from the Trust, FCC Consulting Services has been able to expand their work with AECOM Tishman through remote construction site camera monitoring and temporary field office mobilization by installing technology in trailers including a/v, internet connectivity and executive conference rooms.
LSN Contractors & Construction
AACCNJ Member Receives 2023 MBE Firm Of The Year Recognition
LSN Contractors & Construction honored at an exclusive awards ceremony to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of minority businesses driving economic and workforce development in New York State.
Delta Dental of NJ
AACCNJ President's Club Member Announces Enhanced Special Health Care Needs Benefit
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. (DDNJ) is helping to expand dental care access by introducing an enhanced special health care needs benefit for children and adults with qualifying special health care conditions. Effective January 1, 2024, group-covered members of any age with a qualifying special health care need will be eligible for this benefit.
Sasha Lalite, MPA, PMP, ICBB, MCCT
AACCNJ Member Meta Viable Solutions LLC
Awarded & Featured in L.A. Style Magazine
AACCNJ Member, Sasha Lalite, CEO/Founder of Meta Viable Solutions LLC, awarded L.A. Style Magazine “2023 Most Influential Industry Leader.” She was awarded and inducted into the L.A. Style Leaders Network and featured in the Most Influential Industry Leader 2023 Issue.
Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc.
AACCNJ President's Club Member Named a 2023 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago
MZM Great Place To Work® and Fortune magazine have honored Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. (Milhouse) as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Chicago. This achievement recognizes Milhouse’s efforts to surpass benchmarks and establish itself as one of the best companies to work for headquartered in Chicago.
WallynZavy's Autistic Kids Can Do! Inc.
AACCNJ Member Interviewed Regarding Drone Technology & Autism
WallynZavy's student with autism passed the FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test for Remote Pilots. The student is now certified to operate drones commercially. Talena has launched a new business Drone Diversity LLC for neuro-typical people over 16 and can read, write, and speak English.
Marjorie Perry
AACCNJ President's Club Member Featured During Pfizer Interview On DEI
MZM Construction & Management, President & CEO, Marjorie Perry speaks on progress in the State of NJ and DEI initiatives.
Thomas Webster
AACCNJ Board member Featured on CNBC
Black real estate developers get rare access to big capital through Philadelphia program
Technology Concepts Group International
Featured in Invest: Insights
The TCGi Foundation’s mission is to provide opportunities for Black girls and women in Technology and Engineering by providing financial support in the form of scholarships to college-aged women. We identified three Fellows in 2022 and hope to identify at least 10 in 2023, and then continue growth in every successive year. All Fellows will be financially supported each year of their college career.
Berkeley College
Featured in U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report Recognizes Berkeley College For Excellence In Online Education For 10th Consecutive Year
Desha Jackson Law Group LLC
Featured in COI Times
AACCNJ Member, Desha Jackson, Owner of Desha Jackson Law Group LLC, appears as the cover story for COI Times "Rising Five Women Leaders Everyone Should Know".
Adenah Bayoh
Latest project is recipient of vital tax credit
AACCNJ Member, Adenah Bayoh's latest development project, Southside View, is the first woman-owned and Black-owned real estate development entity in New Jersey to receive this funding.