Please Note: The Chamber of Commerce is known as the OFFICIAL AREA NETWORK and is viewed by thousands of people. As a member of the Chamber you may submit your PRESS RELEASES through the website or via the mobile application right from your phone. Once approved by Chamber staff your press release will be posted below, through the official area mobile application, and on the Chamber Social Network. The Chamber in many cases will also publish these through their Facebook and Twitter accounts.
September 21, 2020
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com info@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
Press Release
Capitol City, “BLACK LIVES MATTER” Mural to Be Painted
At the Headquarters of
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
in conjunction with the National Action Network
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
TRENTON, NJ — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) in conjunction with the State of New Jersey and the National Action Network will construct a “Black Lives Matter” mural, on Wednesday, September 23rd, at the headquarters of the AACCNJ, located at 379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.
The live painting will commence at 10:00 a.m. and continue throughout the day, culminating in an official ceremony, scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on the front dais of the AACCNJ headquarters. The ceremony will include remarks from John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ, The Honorable, Phil Murphy, Governor, State of NJ, The Honorable Reed Gusciora , Mayor City of Trenton, Reverend Al Sharpton, Founder, National Action Network, Rev. Dr. Steffie Bartley, Sr., Northeast Regional Director of National Action Network, and Rabbi Abe Friedman, Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel (BZBI) in Philadelphia, PA, among others.
“We believe that simulating the Black Lives Matter murals that are happening nationwide demonstrates the support of the AACCNJ with the merits and messaging of the nationwide movement, and will provide a platform for local and state government to show their endorsement of this message - with their presence at this event.”, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM.
The AACCNJ welcomes the community, to its headquarters, to celebrate this historic moment. There will be musical entertainment. For updates, visit our website at aaccnj.com.
Mission Statement:
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in New Jersey’s Economy. As affirmed in its mission statement, the Chamber seeks to economically empower and sustain African American communities, facilitating entrepreneurship and free enterprise activity within the state, with direct outreach programs. Different from acting as simply an association of allied businesses, the Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group. 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 the educational and public policy levels.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com info@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
Press Release
Capitol City, “BLACK LIVES MATTER” Mural to Be Painted
At the Headquarters of
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
in conjunction with the National Action Network
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
TRENTON, NJ — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) in conjunction with the State of New Jersey and the National Action Network will construct a “Black Lives Matter” mural, on Wednesday, September 23rd, at the headquarters of the AACCNJ, located at 379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.
The live painting will commence at 10:00 a.m. and continue throughout the day, culminating in an official ceremony, scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on the front dais of the AACCNJ headquarters. The ceremony will include remarks from John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ, The Honorable, Phil Murphy, Governor, State of NJ, The Honorable Reed Gusciora , Mayor City of Trenton, Reverend Al Sharpton, Founder, National Action Network, Rev. Dr. Steffie Bartley, Sr., Northeast Regional Director of National Action Network, and Rabbi Abe Friedman, Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel (BZBI) in Philadelphia, PA, among others.
“We believe that simulating the Black Lives Matter murals that are happening nationwide demonstrates the support of the AACCNJ with the merits and messaging of the nationwide movement, and will provide a platform for local and state government to show their endorsement of this message - with their presence at this event.”, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM.
The AACCNJ welcomes the community, to its headquarters, to celebrate this historic moment. There will be musical entertainment. For updates, visit our website at aaccnj.com.
Mission Statement:
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in New Jersey’s Economy. As affirmed in its mission statement, the Chamber seeks to economically empower and sustain African American communities, facilitating entrepreneurship and free enterprise activity within the state, with direct outreach programs. Different from acting as simply an association of allied businesses, the Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group. 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 the educational and public policy levels.
September 18, 2020
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com info@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
PRESS RELEASE
Port Authority of NY & NJ
RFP Deadline Extension Granted
TRENTON, NJ — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) is pleased to announce that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has provided an extension for proposals for the Newark International Airport Terminal One Concession Program. The PANYNJ has extended the deadline from September 18th, to October 9th, 2020.
“On behalf of the members of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, thank you to the Murphy Administration, Port Authority of NY/NJ, the Honorable Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark, NJ and all those who united in this effort to ensure that Blacks, Hispanics and Women owned concessionaires have equitable participation in this public contract opportunity. We need more of these types of efforts to begin the process of closing opportunities and wealth disparities for Blacks, Hispanics, and Women in public contracting”, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.
The AACCNJ will remain steadfast in ensuring this approach is more commonplace throughout New Jersey, to ensure a more equitable economy.
Mission Statement:
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in New Jersey’s Economy. As affirmed in its mission statement, the Chamber seeks to economically empower and sustain African American communities, facilitating entrepreneurship and free enterprise activity within the state, with direct outreach programs. Different from acting as simply an association of allied businesses, the Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group. 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 the
educational and public policy levels.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com info@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
PRESS RELEASE
Port Authority of NY & NJ
RFP Deadline Extension Granted
TRENTON, NJ — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) is pleased to announce that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has provided an extension for proposals for the Newark International Airport Terminal One Concession Program. The PANYNJ has extended the deadline from September 18th, to October 9th, 2020.
“On behalf of the members of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, thank you to the Murphy Administration, Port Authority of NY/NJ, the Honorable Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark, NJ and all those who united in this effort to ensure that Blacks, Hispanics and Women owned concessionaires have equitable participation in this public contract opportunity. We need more of these types of efforts to begin the process of closing opportunities and wealth disparities for Blacks, Hispanics, and Women in public contracting”, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.
The AACCNJ will remain steadfast in ensuring this approach is more commonplace throughout New Jersey, to ensure a more equitable economy.
Mission Statement:
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in New Jersey’s Economy. As affirmed in its mission statement, the Chamber seeks to economically empower and sustain African American communities, facilitating entrepreneurship and free enterprise activity within the state, with direct outreach programs. Different from acting as simply an association of allied businesses, the Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group. 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 the
educational and public policy levels.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Lauds Singleton’s Minority – Owned Business Bill Package
Trenton, NJ – September 14, 2020 – John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey lauds the package of legislation recently introduced by New Jersey State Senator Troy Singleton that would support the development and growth of minority and women-owned businesses in New Jersey.
“We support the efforts of Senator Singleton of developing legislation that is focused on addressing solutions to closing the systemic economic disparities between Blacks, Hispanics and Women In New Jersey versus the mainstream. My hope is that others will follow his leadership by directing more of their advocacy, policy, and deliberate actions to ensure that the economic prosperity of our state benefits more than a few. This is an example of Good Trouble, as stated by the late John Lewis, Congressman, US House of Representatives.”, John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
"As we rebuild the state’s economy following the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure that the recovery is inclusive of minority and women-owned businesses," said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). "These groups have largely been ignored, left behind, or have been left out of economic prosperity in the past, which is why we need to put policies in place that give these businesses a fighting chance to compete and thrive. I am thrilled to have the support of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey."
Below is a summary of Senator Singleton’s bills:
Disparity Study: Senate Bill 2768 would authorize the State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct a disparity study on the usage of minority and women-owned businesses in the procurement of goods and services for the New Jersey state government.
Minority Business Development Program: Senate Bill 2769 would establish the “Minority Business Development Program” in the EDA, as well as appropriate $50 million to the EDA from federal funds in order to develop and allow the program to function. The program would provide grant funding and technical assistance services to foster the development of minority businesses in New Jersey.
Lower Administrative Barriers: Senate Bill 2770 would establish the position of Minority Depository Institution Coordinator in EDA. The coordinator would collaborate with the EDA board and Chief Diversity Officer to identify and reduce any administrative barriers to the participation of minority-owned businesses in any EDA loan program.
Rural Economic Development Program: Senate Bill 2771 would establish the “Rural Business Development Program” in the EDA to provide grant funding to develop rural businesses, as well as appropriate $35 million to EDA from federal funds to help fund the program.
Business Matchmaker: Senate Bill 2772 would establish the “Biannual Small Business Matchmaker Initiative” in the Department of State. The initiative would serve as a networking opportunity to connect small businesses with representatives of federal, state and local government agencies. This would help small businesses potentially contract with those agencies.
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.
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Lauds Singleton’s Minority – Owned Business Bill Package
Trenton, NJ – September 14, 2020 – John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey lauds the package of legislation recently introduced by New Jersey State Senator Troy Singleton that would support the development and growth of minority and women-owned businesses in New Jersey.
“We support the efforts of Senator Singleton of developing legislation that is focused on addressing solutions to closing the systemic economic disparities between Blacks, Hispanics and Women In New Jersey versus the mainstream. My hope is that others will follow his leadership by directing more of their advocacy, policy, and deliberate actions to ensure that the economic prosperity of our state benefits more than a few. This is an example of Good Trouble, as stated by the late John Lewis, Congressman, US House of Representatives.”, John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
"As we rebuild the state’s economy following the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure that the recovery is inclusive of minority and women-owned businesses," said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). "These groups have largely been ignored, left behind, or have been left out of economic prosperity in the past, which is why we need to put policies in place that give these businesses a fighting chance to compete and thrive. I am thrilled to have the support of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey."
Below is a summary of Senator Singleton’s bills:
Disparity Study: Senate Bill 2768 would authorize the State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct a disparity study on the usage of minority and women-owned businesses in the procurement of goods and services for the New Jersey state government.
Minority Business Development Program: Senate Bill 2769 would establish the “Minority Business Development Program” in the EDA, as well as appropriate $50 million to the EDA from federal funds in order to develop and allow the program to function. The program would provide grant funding and technical assistance services to foster the development of minority businesses in New Jersey.
Lower Administrative Barriers: Senate Bill 2770 would establish the position of Minority Depository Institution Coordinator in EDA. The coordinator would collaborate with the EDA board and Chief Diversity Officer to identify and reduce any administrative barriers to the participation of minority-owned businesses in any EDA loan program.
Rural Economic Development Program: Senate Bill 2771 would establish the “Rural Business Development Program” in the EDA to provide grant funding to develop rural businesses, as well as appropriate $35 million to EDA from federal funds to help fund the program.
Business Matchmaker: Senate Bill 2772 would establish the “Biannual Small Business Matchmaker Initiative” in the Department of State. The initiative would serve as a networking opportunity to connect small businesses with representatives of federal, state and local government agencies. This would help small businesses potentially contract with those agencies.
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.
Contact: Angela Harrington
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 Vice President, Communications and External Relations
Mobile: 201-509-1840
Angela-Harringt@BerkeleyCollege.edu
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY SELECTS BERKELEY COLLEGE TO HELP ADVANCE MEMBERS’ WORKFORCES THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION OPTIONS
Corporate Learning Partnership Provides Platform for Developing Employee Skills and Diversifying Management Capabilities in a Competitive Business Environment
Share the News: @BerkeleyCollege @AACCNJ
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) has entered into a Corporate Learning Partnership (CLP) that offers its members and their employees an opportunity to enroll in degree programs at Berkeley College in New Jersey, New York and Berkeley College Online® with tuition discounts that benefit companies, their employees and families. The partnership provides a platform to further employee skills and diverse management capabilities in today’s fast-paced business world.
“It is well documented that those who are more educated and formally trained have an increased potential to have a better life,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President and CEO, AACCNJ. “We are pleased to forge this mutual beneficial relationship with Berkeley College because of the implied value it will provide to our members.”
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 the educational and public policy levels.
“Just as the AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses through entrepreneurship through its mission, Berkeley College is committed to empowering entrepreneurs through education,” said Michael J. Smith, President, Berkeley College. “At a time when entrepreneurs and their workforces need to compete more vigorously, Berkeley College is here to provide a viable pathway to gaining the education and skills necessary – with the right credentials – to compete.”
Since African American consumers and businesses often are overlooked or marginalized, the AACCNJ serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and strategic implementation of resolutions that address the economic disparities of New Jersey’s African American business enterprises.
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey joins a growing list of CLP organizations. Corporate Learning Partnerships provide continuing education to working professionals, offering new skills to take on increased responsibilities or prepare for management roles. Click here for more information about Corporate Learning Partnerships at Berkeley College, and to view the list of all CLP organizations.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, as well as in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 Vice President, Communications and External Relations
Mobile: 201-509-1840
Angela-Harringt@BerkeleyCollege.edu
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY SELECTS BERKELEY COLLEGE TO HELP ADVANCE MEMBERS’ WORKFORCES THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION OPTIONS
Corporate Learning Partnership Provides Platform for Developing Employee Skills and Diversifying Management Capabilities in a Competitive Business Environment
Share the News: @BerkeleyCollege @AACCNJ
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) has entered into a Corporate Learning Partnership (CLP) that offers its members and their employees an opportunity to enroll in degree programs at Berkeley College in New Jersey, New York and Berkeley College Online® with tuition discounts that benefit companies, their employees and families. The partnership provides a platform to further employee skills and diverse management capabilities in today’s fast-paced business world.
“It is well documented that those who are more educated and formally trained have an increased potential to have a better life,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President and CEO, AACCNJ. “We are pleased to forge this mutual beneficial relationship with Berkeley College because of the implied value it will provide to our members.”
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 the educational and public policy levels.
“Just as the AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses through entrepreneurship through its mission, Berkeley College is committed to empowering entrepreneurs through education,” said Michael J. Smith, President, Berkeley College. “At a time when entrepreneurs and their workforces need to compete more vigorously, Berkeley College is here to provide a viable pathway to gaining the education and skills necessary – with the right credentials – to compete.”
Since African American consumers and businesses often are overlooked or marginalized, the AACCNJ serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and strategic implementation of resolutions that address the economic disparities of New Jersey’s African American business enterprises.
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey joins a growing list of CLP organizations. Corporate Learning Partnerships provide continuing education to working professionals, offering new skills to take on increased responsibilities or prepare for management roles. Click here for more information about Corporate Learning Partnerships at Berkeley College, and to view the list of all CLP organizations.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, as well as in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
info@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Announces
“Ready for the Job”
An Initiative to Collect Applicant Credentials
Trenton, NJ, July 29, 2020 As the vanguard for the 1.1 million African American residents and over 80,000 businesses, and serving over 800 members, at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) it is important that we use our increased visibility to provide critical information pertaining to business owners and their communities, in this fast developing economic upheaval, and health crisis. The AACCNJ will continue to position our constituency for optimal success while consequently strengthening the competitiveness of New Jersey.
In concert with Black Business Month, effective Monday, August 3rd, the AACCNJ is starting a “Ready for the Job” initiative which entails collecting the resumes/business credentials of black male and female, entrepreneurs, students and interns in order to help fill potential job opportunities with small and large corporations of which the AACCNJ has relationships/partnerships.
Due to the current environment encompassing Covid 19 and the nationwide social and global unrest, after the death of George Floyd, a heightened awareness of the multitude of inequities, in health, living conditions and employment opportunities; has triggered an increased willingness and commitment from corporations to address these concerns through structural policy changes and through the direct support of Blacks and Black-owned businesses. In an effort, to provide a pipeline for corporations to access a pool of applicants, the AACCNJ will collect resumes to serve as a resource to job fulfillment requests on the AACCNJ website platform, www.aaccnj.com. When job opportunities are presented, the AACCNJ will be able to respond quickly giving our constituents the best opportunity to obtain the job. If the resume is already in our possession the response time will be expedited.
Process:
1. The AACCNJ will use its website to collect and store the resumes.
2. Resumes can be entered via FORMS by following the link to the FORMS section: https://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/form_edit.php?org_id=AANJ&fid=3384619
3. Complete the summary information and upload the resume.
4. The resumes on file will be displayed in alphabetical order by name.
5. The Summary Document will display the following: First submitted, Last submitted, Status, First name, Last name, Email address, Access code, Best contact number, Job categories, Uploaded resume.
If you are in the job market, we encourage you to upload your credentials/resume to become a part of the “Ready for the Job” initiative. The staff will monitor job requests and will inform individuals, via email, when their resume has been provided for consideration for an open position. Please forward any additional questions regarding the program to mgriffin@aaccnj.com.
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
info@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Announces
“Ready for the Job”
An Initiative to Collect Applicant Credentials
Trenton, NJ, July 29, 2020 As the vanguard for the 1.1 million African American residents and over 80,000 businesses, and serving over 800 members, at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) it is important that we use our increased visibility to provide critical information pertaining to business owners and their communities, in this fast developing economic upheaval, and health crisis. The AACCNJ will continue to position our constituency for optimal success while consequently strengthening the competitiveness of New Jersey.
In concert with Black Business Month, effective Monday, August 3rd, the AACCNJ is starting a “Ready for the Job” initiative which entails collecting the resumes/business credentials of black male and female, entrepreneurs, students and interns in order to help fill potential job opportunities with small and large corporations of which the AACCNJ has relationships/partnerships.
Due to the current environment encompassing Covid 19 and the nationwide social and global unrest, after the death of George Floyd, a heightened awareness of the multitude of inequities, in health, living conditions and employment opportunities; has triggered an increased willingness and commitment from corporations to address these concerns through structural policy changes and through the direct support of Blacks and Black-owned businesses. In an effort, to provide a pipeline for corporations to access a pool of applicants, the AACCNJ will collect resumes to serve as a resource to job fulfillment requests on the AACCNJ website platform, www.aaccnj.com. When job opportunities are presented, the AACCNJ will be able to respond quickly giving our constituents the best opportunity to obtain the job. If the resume is already in our possession the response time will be expedited.
Process:
1. The AACCNJ will use its website to collect and store the resumes.
2. Resumes can be entered via FORMS by following the link to the FORMS section: https://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/form_edit.php?org_id=AANJ&fid=3384619
3. Complete the summary information and upload the resume.
4. The resumes on file will be displayed in alphabetical order by name.
5. The Summary Document will display the following: First submitted, Last submitted, Status, First name, Last name, Email address, Access code, Best contact number, Job categories, Uploaded resume.
If you are in the job market, we encourage you to upload your credentials/resume to become a part of the “Ready for the Job” initiative. The staff will monitor job requests and will inform individuals, via email, when their resume has been provided for consideration for an open position. Please forward any additional questions regarding the program to mgriffin@aaccnj.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President & CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
379 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08618
info@aaccnj.com
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Launches #STEPUP20 Scholarship Program
--Funds will help students whose education depends on summer income --
Trenton, NJ – July 21, 2020, With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting nearly every job and employer in New Jersey many students who rely on a summer job or internship to help pay for college are suddenly facing the prospect of not being able to afford a return to school this fall. The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announced today that with a founding donation of $10,000 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, it was launching an effort to recruit 20 corporate partners to fund a $100,000 scholarship program aimed at helping impacted young black male and female students replace lost summer income so that they can continue their education.
“For students from traditionally under served communities, college can be a critical path to economic and social empowerment. While many benefit from financial aid or scholarships that cover much of the cost of college, the reality for most is that those programs typically require a student to contribute something toward the total cost and many count on a summer job or internship to earn that money,” said John E. Harmon, Sr. AACCNJ’s Founder, President, and CEO.
To help these students, AACCNJ has created a scholarship program that will offer grants of up to $2,000.00 to students from New Jersey who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Interested students can apply through the application found at https://app.pedul.com/. Pedul is an online platform created by two former Rutgers University students that allows students to apply to thousands of local and national scholarships with a single application. “We are extremely excited about this opportunity to partner with these amazing young leaders to execute this scholarship program. These scholarships will fill a critical gap by providing students unrestricted resources to cover their share of the costs and continue investing in their future. Horizon has always been a good partner for us and their willingness to step up again and help lead this effort reflects their commitment to the people and communities of our state,” Harmon continued.
“Horizon is New Jersey’s health insurer and for nearly 90 years, it has been part of our mission to help improve the health of our communities. The connection between education and health has been clearly established and we know that people with college degrees have fewer chronic health conditions and are generally healthier than those who do not. The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for everyone, and it remains our priority to be there for our members and our home state when they need us most,” said Jonathan Pearson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Harmon has begun an outreach effort to identify 19 additional companies willing to donate to the scholarship fund. Anyone interested in learning more about the Chamber or the scholarship program can contact John Harmon at Jharmon@aaccnj.com or by calling the AACCNJ at (609) 571-1620.
About 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 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving approximately 3.4 million members.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President & CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
379 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08618
info@aaccnj.com
609-571-1620
www.aaccnj.com
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Launches #STEPUP20 Scholarship Program
--Funds will help students whose education depends on summer income --
Trenton, NJ – July 21, 2020, With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting nearly every job and employer in New Jersey many students who rely on a summer job or internship to help pay for college are suddenly facing the prospect of not being able to afford a return to school this fall. The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announced today that with a founding donation of $10,000 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, it was launching an effort to recruit 20 corporate partners to fund a $100,000 scholarship program aimed at helping impacted young black male and female students replace lost summer income so that they can continue their education.
“For students from traditionally under served communities, college can be a critical path to economic and social empowerment. While many benefit from financial aid or scholarships that cover much of the cost of college, the reality for most is that those programs typically require a student to contribute something toward the total cost and many count on a summer job or internship to earn that money,” said John E. Harmon, Sr. AACCNJ’s Founder, President, and CEO.
To help these students, AACCNJ has created a scholarship program that will offer grants of up to $2,000.00 to students from New Jersey who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Interested students can apply through the application found at https://app.pedul.com/. Pedul is an online platform created by two former Rutgers University students that allows students to apply to thousands of local and national scholarships with a single application. “We are extremely excited about this opportunity to partner with these amazing young leaders to execute this scholarship program. These scholarships will fill a critical gap by providing students unrestricted resources to cover their share of the costs and continue investing in their future. Horizon has always been a good partner for us and their willingness to step up again and help lead this effort reflects their commitment to the people and communities of our state,” Harmon continued.
“Horizon is New Jersey’s health insurer and for nearly 90 years, it has been part of our mission to help improve the health of our communities. The connection between education and health has been clearly established and we know that people with college degrees have fewer chronic health conditions and are generally healthier than those who do not. The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for everyone, and it remains our priority to be there for our members and our home state when they need us most,” said Jonathan Pearson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Harmon has begun an outreach effort to identify 19 additional companies willing to donate to the scholarship fund. Anyone interested in learning more about the Chamber or the scholarship program can contact John Harmon at Jharmon@aaccnj.com or by calling the AACCNJ at (609) 571-1620.
About 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 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving approximately 3.4 million members.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620 – info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2020
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY ANNOUNCES
AACCNJ TELEVISION SHOW “PATHWAY TO SUCCESS” NOW AIRING ON PBS.ORG
TRENTON, NJ. – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) newly aired Television show Pathway to Success will now air on PBS.org. Each month PBS reaches 109 million people through television broadcasts, and over 28 million viewers on line, inviting them to experience science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints, and to take front row seats to world class performances.
Pathway to Success premiered on April 4, 2020 on NJTV. The show airs the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., with a repeat broadcast, the first Tuesday after the Saturday broadcast at 11:30 p.m.
The programming serves to expand the visibility of the mission of the AACCNJ. Mission Statement - The AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses through entrepreneurship and capitalistic initiatives throughout the state of New Jersey and through its partnership with the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (NBCC) and the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC). The AACCNJ will use the platform to raise the profiles of its members, their businesses, and their stories. With the combined recent partnership of PBS, along with our existing partnership with NJTV, Pathway to Success now has the platform to reach 29.6 million on-line viewers.
“This exciting news underscores the fact that partnerships do matter. We are extremely proud of our partnership with NJTV, and with this additional platform provided by PBS, more viewers will be afforded the opportunity to see and hear the success stories of Black Business owners and professionals representing various industries and disciplines. Their stories of perseverance, focus, and defying the odds, is a testament to our resolve as a people executed in the tradition of the American Spirit. There is no greater time than the present to witness Black Excellence portrayed on The Pathway to Success, please tune in.” John E. Harmon Sr., IOM., Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
Pathway to Success can also be viewed on the following channels:
Comcast Channel 23/261/800
Verizon Channel 23/523
Spectrum Channel 23/1223
https://www.pbs.org/video/pathway-to-success-ep-1-pilot-nyowui/
https://www.njtvonline.org/programs/njtv-series/
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.
###
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620 – info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2020
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY ANNOUNCES
AACCNJ TELEVISION SHOW “PATHWAY TO SUCCESS” NOW AIRING ON PBS.ORG
TRENTON, NJ. – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) newly aired Television show Pathway to Success will now air on PBS.org. Each month PBS reaches 109 million people through television broadcasts, and over 28 million viewers on line, inviting them to experience science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints, and to take front row seats to world class performances.
Pathway to Success premiered on April 4, 2020 on NJTV. The show airs the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., with a repeat broadcast, the first Tuesday after the Saturday broadcast at 11:30 p.m.
The programming serves to expand the visibility of the mission of the AACCNJ. Mission Statement - The AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses through entrepreneurship and capitalistic initiatives throughout the state of New Jersey and through its partnership with the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (NBCC) and the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC). The AACCNJ will use the platform to raise the profiles of its members, their businesses, and their stories. With the combined recent partnership of PBS, along with our existing partnership with NJTV, Pathway to Success now has the platform to reach 29.6 million on-line viewers.
“This exciting news underscores the fact that partnerships do matter. We are extremely proud of our partnership with NJTV, and with this additional platform provided by PBS, more viewers will be afforded the opportunity to see and hear the success stories of Black Business owners and professionals representing various industries and disciplines. Their stories of perseverance, focus, and defying the odds, is a testament to our resolve as a people executed in the tradition of the American Spirit. There is no greater time than the present to witness Black Excellence portrayed on The Pathway to Success, please tune in.” John E. Harmon Sr., IOM., Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
Pathway to Success can also be viewed on the following channels:
Comcast Channel 23/261/800
Verizon Channel 23/523
Spectrum Channel 23/1223
https://www.pbs.org/video/pathway-to-success-ep-1-pilot-nyowui/
https://www.njtvonline.org/programs/njtv-series/
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.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2020
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey hosts State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Virtual Summit
TRENTON, NJ — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) on June 24th and 25th hosted our first virtual Summit, The State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Summit, themed “Accountability, Opportunity, & Equity”. The objective of the annual conference was to have an open dialogue with state representatives of various agencies, legislators, faith and community organizations, and main street business owners on the economic standing of African Americans in New Jersey, especially in this Covid 19 environment and the social unrest and civic engagement that has been mobilized throughout the nation and across the globe.
Moreover, the Summit provided a platform to analyze data which illustrated the socio-economic standing of blacks in New Jersey, and measures to mitigate adverse structural impediments in communities of color statewide. The Covid-19 Pandemic has had a very devastating effect on the over 1.1 million black residents and over 80,000 businesses in our State. Prior to which, blacks had the highest level of poverty and unemployment; 93% of black businesses were sole proprietorships, seeking daily to obtain their fair share of opportunities. The Covid-19 Pandemic has taken its toll on blacks in New Jersey 1,807 deaths to date, leaving many in search of a pathway to survive, regroup and restart their lives and their livelihoods. Despite making up only 13% of the US population, African Americans represent 30% of the deaths from the coronavirus, despite the narrative, this is a direct result of these “pre-existing conditions” that people of color have less access to quality healthcare, are more likely to have a pre-existing health condition and suffer greater exposure to air pollution that puts them at higher risk of asthma. They also make up a disproportionate share of frontline workers, are less likely to be able to work from home and more likely to rely on public transportation and are hit hardest by poverty as layoffs continue to rise.
“This Summit is the beginning of a process to make New Jersey more equitably inclusive for Blacks statewide; it provides a perfect opportunity to listen and respond to how we can collectively contribute to improving conditions for Blacks in New Jersey.” John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
We were pleased to present impactful remarks from our Keynote Speakers, Don Peebles, CEO, Peebles Corporation and Bishop David G. Evans, Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold, NJ. Our Summit was sponsored through the generous support of many organizations, including CURE Auto Insurance, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Johnson & Johnson, Investors Bank, PSEG, Columbia Bank, Credit Union of NJ, Curio, AT&T, United Healthcare, McDonalds of Neptune, Burns & McDonnell, New Jersey Manufacturers, NJ Bankers and TriState Capital, South Jersey Industries and FCC Consulting.
For this Summit, we assembled a diverse group of thought leaders who are engaged in activities every day that affect the lives of the over 9 million New Jerseyans, including a discussion with both Democratic and Republican legislators regarding proposed policies to address the various socio-economic disparities for blacks in New Jersey and how they have been exasperated during the COVID-19 Pandemic and what remedies can be derived to better position blacks for a more equitable share of New Jersey’s economy. In addition, participants included representatives of various Government Agencies, Corporate Representatives, Faith based and Community Organizational leaders. Lastly, we heard firsthand from various main street business owners that were forced to close due to the current environment and who are dealing with the uncertainty of whether they will be able to reopen.
We have made a commitment during this critical time to continue with the mission of the AACCNJ 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 virtual summit provides the platform, on behalf of our members and the 80,000 black owned businesses to continue to partner with you to extend our resources to help more small businesses who have been heavily impacted by this health
and economic crisis. During the current pandemic, underscoring our responsibility as a business leader and our commitment to our members to assist in the recovery of a more equitable economy, the AACCNJ has strategically aligned itself with the state’s top financial institutions, business leaders, associations, and workforce partners.
“This is not the time to be silent or sit on the sidelines; the State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Summit is the platform for all credible and responsible voices to be heard in an effort to derive comprehensive and sustained resolution to a legacy of systematic barriers that limited the equitable participation of Blacks in New Jersey's economy. We must find a way to forge commensurate
engagements from both the public and private sectors of our state to produce a more competitive environment for all.” John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Most recently I was named to Governor Murphy’s Recovery Council as part of the “Main Street” Committee and Speaker Couglin’s Economic Recovery Panel. Through these appointments, the AACCNJ will have the opportunity to shape policy as it relates to a reopening and long-term recovery strategy forthe state.
Harmon was also named to the US Chamber of Commerce “national steering committee” on an Initiative of Inequality of Opportunity. This initiative represents leaders across industries and geographies, including: Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; John Harmon, Founder, President, and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; Susan Neely, President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers; Vincent B. Orange, Sr., President and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce; Carlos Phillips, President and CEO of the Greenville (South Carolina) Chamber of Commerce; and Matt Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation.
Harmon, also a Board Member of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce which has also joined the National Initiative to address inequality of opportunity, with the US Chamber of Commerce, the National town hall is June 25th from 1:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m.
In addition, we are an integral part of communications and initiatives developed by the NBCC regarding Public Policy as it relates to ensuring that communities of color, who the data supports, as having the highest rate of mortality, are not left out of legislation, that seeks to strengthen small businesses and corporations.
About the AACCNJ
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) Inc. was established in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, B2B (business-to-business) organization located in Trenton, New Jersey. With more than 700 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 education attainment. The Chamber serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and
strategic implementation of initiatives and resolutions that help build New Jersey’s economic landscape. To date, the AACCNJ has advocated on behalf of its members on several capital development and procurement projects to insure inclusion. The AACCNJ is a conduit to:
• Bridging gaps between the under-performing populations in New Jersey and a vital resource to
initiating dialogue leading to strategies that address the state’s overall competitiveness
• An open line of communication with state and local government officials, and suppliers
• Workforce and development training, job-readiness programs and recruitment services
• Free enterprise activity for Women, Veteran and Minority-owned business
• Access to resources in making statewide businesses visible in key markets
• Youth mentorship and entrepreneurial programs
Mission Statement:
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in New Jersey’s Economy. As affirmed in its mission statement, the Chamber seeks to economically empower and sustain African American communities, facilitating entrepreneurship and free enterprise activity within the state, with direct outreach programs. Different from acting as simply an association of allied businesses, the Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group. 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 the educational and public policy levels.
Day 1 Panel
Topic - Opportunities/Needs - Moderator: Daria S. Torres, Managing Partner, Walls Torres Group LLC
Panelists:
Manuel M. DaSilva, Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey School Development Authority (SDA)
Zenobia L. Fields, Senior Policy & Program Advisor, New Jersey Dept. of Transportation (DOT)
Dr. Kimberly K. Holmes, Assistant Commissioner, NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Lamont Repollet, Ed.D., Commissioner of Education, NJ, President, Kean University
Leotis Sanders, Vice President, Office of Civil Rights & Diversity Programs, New Jersey Transit (NJT) Keith D.
Wright, Sr., Ph.D., Program Mgr. of Capacity Building, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Port Authority of New York &
New Jersey (PANYNJ)
Day 1 Panel
Topic – Public Sector Opportunities/Legislative Panel - Moderator: John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Panelists:
Estina Baker, Staff Senior Campaign Lead for NJ, National CWA
The Honorable Anthony M. Bucco, Senator, State of NJ
The Honorable Bette Lou DeCroce – Assemblywoman, State of NJ
The Honorable Antwan McClellan, Assemblyman, State of NJ
The Honorable Joe Pennacchio, Senator, State of NJ
Day 2 Panel
Topic - Mission/Priorities - Moderator – Tracy M. Thompson, Esq.
Panelists:
Taneshia Nash-Laird, Newark Symphony Hall
Bernell Hall, President & CEO, Invest Newark
Reverend John Taylor, Friendship Baptist Church, Trenton, NJ
Day 2 Panel
Topic: Public/Private Sector Opportunities - Moderator – John Kahn, Associate, Duane Morris
Panelists:
Dale G. Caldwell, Ed.D., Professor & Executive Director, Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship,
Silberman College of Business, Fairleigh Dickinson University
DeAnna.Minus-Vincent, Vice President, Social Impact & Community Investment, RWJBarnabas Health
Vivian Cox Fraser, President & CEO, Urban League of Essex County
Will Smith, Director of Procurement, South Jersey Industries
Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
Day 2 Panel
Topic: Impact on Main Street - Moderator – Vaughn L. McKoy,
Panelists:
Racheal Fosu, President, The Galileo PreSchools, Busy Place Early Leaning Center, KIDFIN
Barri Gibson, Owner, Ruby Red Roots Hair Salon
Corrine Bradley/Powers, Owner, Corrine’s Place
Bridgette Nzali,President, African & American Braiding
Vonda McPhearson, Owner, Vonda’s Kitchen
Donnell Williams, Owner of Destiny Realty, Morristown, New Jersey, President, National Association of Real Estate
Brokers (N.A.R.E.B.)
Day 2 Panel
Topic: Legislative Panel - Moderator – John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Panelists:
The Honorable Ras Baraka, Mayor, Newark, NJ
The Honorable Jamel Holley, Assemblyman, State of NJ
The Honorable Verlinda Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblywoman, State of NJ
The Honorable Ronald Rice, Senator, State of NJ
The Honorable Marty Small, Jr., Mayor of Atlantic City, NJ
Collin Smith, Constituent Services Coordinator for the Honorable Troy Singleton, Senator, State of NJ
Doug Steinhardt, Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee
###
June 25, 2020
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey hosts State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Virtual Summit
TRENTON, NJ — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) on June 24th and 25th hosted our first virtual Summit, The State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Summit, themed “Accountability, Opportunity, & Equity”. The objective of the annual conference was to have an open dialogue with state representatives of various agencies, legislators, faith and community organizations, and main street business owners on the economic standing of African Americans in New Jersey, especially in this Covid 19 environment and the social unrest and civic engagement that has been mobilized throughout the nation and across the globe.
Moreover, the Summit provided a platform to analyze data which illustrated the socio-economic standing of blacks in New Jersey, and measures to mitigate adverse structural impediments in communities of color statewide. The Covid-19 Pandemic has had a very devastating effect on the over 1.1 million black residents and over 80,000 businesses in our State. Prior to which, blacks had the highest level of poverty and unemployment; 93% of black businesses were sole proprietorships, seeking daily to obtain their fair share of opportunities. The Covid-19 Pandemic has taken its toll on blacks in New Jersey 1,807 deaths to date, leaving many in search of a pathway to survive, regroup and restart their lives and their livelihoods. Despite making up only 13% of the US population, African Americans represent 30% of the deaths from the coronavirus, despite the narrative, this is a direct result of these “pre-existing conditions” that people of color have less access to quality healthcare, are more likely to have a pre-existing health condition and suffer greater exposure to air pollution that puts them at higher risk of asthma. They also make up a disproportionate share of frontline workers, are less likely to be able to work from home and more likely to rely on public transportation and are hit hardest by poverty as layoffs continue to rise.
“This Summit is the beginning of a process to make New Jersey more equitably inclusive for Blacks statewide; it provides a perfect opportunity to listen and respond to how we can collectively contribute to improving conditions for Blacks in New Jersey.” John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
We were pleased to present impactful remarks from our Keynote Speakers, Don Peebles, CEO, Peebles Corporation and Bishop David G. Evans, Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold, NJ. Our Summit was sponsored through the generous support of many organizations, including CURE Auto Insurance, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Johnson & Johnson, Investors Bank, PSEG, Columbia Bank, Credit Union of NJ, Curio, AT&T, United Healthcare, McDonalds of Neptune, Burns & McDonnell, New Jersey Manufacturers, NJ Bankers and TriState Capital, South Jersey Industries and FCC Consulting.
For this Summit, we assembled a diverse group of thought leaders who are engaged in activities every day that affect the lives of the over 9 million New Jerseyans, including a discussion with both Democratic and Republican legislators regarding proposed policies to address the various socio-economic disparities for blacks in New Jersey and how they have been exasperated during the COVID-19 Pandemic and what remedies can be derived to better position blacks for a more equitable share of New Jersey’s economy. In addition, participants included representatives of various Government Agencies, Corporate Representatives, Faith based and Community Organizational leaders. Lastly, we heard firsthand from various main street business owners that were forced to close due to the current environment and who are dealing with the uncertainty of whether they will be able to reopen.
We have made a commitment during this critical time to continue with the mission of the AACCNJ 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 virtual summit provides the platform, on behalf of our members and the 80,000 black owned businesses to continue to partner with you to extend our resources to help more small businesses who have been heavily impacted by this health
and economic crisis. During the current pandemic, underscoring our responsibility as a business leader and our commitment to our members to assist in the recovery of a more equitable economy, the AACCNJ has strategically aligned itself with the state’s top financial institutions, business leaders, associations, and workforce partners.
“This is not the time to be silent or sit on the sidelines; the State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Summit is the platform for all credible and responsible voices to be heard in an effort to derive comprehensive and sustained resolution to a legacy of systematic barriers that limited the equitable participation of Blacks in New Jersey's economy. We must find a way to forge commensurate
engagements from both the public and private sectors of our state to produce a more competitive environment for all.” John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Most recently I was named to Governor Murphy’s Recovery Council as part of the “Main Street” Committee and Speaker Couglin’s Economic Recovery Panel. Through these appointments, the AACCNJ will have the opportunity to shape policy as it relates to a reopening and long-term recovery strategy forthe state.
Harmon was also named to the US Chamber of Commerce “national steering committee” on an Initiative of Inequality of Opportunity. This initiative represents leaders across industries and geographies, including: Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; John Harmon, Founder, President, and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; Susan Neely, President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers; Vincent B. Orange, Sr., President and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce; Carlos Phillips, President and CEO of the Greenville (South Carolina) Chamber of Commerce; and Matt Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation.
Harmon, also a Board Member of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce which has also joined the National Initiative to address inequality of opportunity, with the US Chamber of Commerce, the National town hall is June 25th from 1:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m.
In addition, we are an integral part of communications and initiatives developed by the NBCC regarding Public Policy as it relates to ensuring that communities of color, who the data supports, as having the highest rate of mortality, are not left out of legislation, that seeks to strengthen small businesses and corporations.
About the AACCNJ
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) Inc. was established in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, B2B (business-to-business) organization located in Trenton, New Jersey. With more than 700 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 education attainment. The Chamber serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and
strategic implementation of initiatives and resolutions that help build New Jersey’s economic landscape. To date, the AACCNJ has advocated on behalf of its members on several capital development and procurement projects to insure inclusion. The AACCNJ is a conduit to:
• Bridging gaps between the under-performing populations in New Jersey and a vital resource to
initiating dialogue leading to strategies that address the state’s overall competitiveness
• An open line of communication with state and local government officials, and suppliers
• Workforce and development training, job-readiness programs and recruitment services
• Free enterprise activity for Women, Veteran and Minority-owned business
• Access to resources in making statewide businesses visible in key markets
• Youth mentorship and entrepreneurial programs
Mission Statement:
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in New Jersey’s Economy. As affirmed in its mission statement, the Chamber seeks to economically empower and sustain African American communities, facilitating entrepreneurship and free enterprise activity within the state, with direct outreach programs. Different from acting as simply an association of allied businesses, the Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group. 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 the educational and public policy levels.
Day 1 Panel
Topic - Opportunities/Needs - Moderator: Daria S. Torres, Managing Partner, Walls Torres Group LLC
Panelists:
Manuel M. DaSilva, Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey School Development Authority (SDA)
Zenobia L. Fields, Senior Policy & Program Advisor, New Jersey Dept. of Transportation (DOT)
Dr. Kimberly K. Holmes, Assistant Commissioner, NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Lamont Repollet, Ed.D., Commissioner of Education, NJ, President, Kean University
Leotis Sanders, Vice President, Office of Civil Rights & Diversity Programs, New Jersey Transit (NJT) Keith D.
Wright, Sr., Ph.D., Program Mgr. of Capacity Building, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Port Authority of New York &
New Jersey (PANYNJ)
Day 1 Panel
Topic – Public Sector Opportunities/Legislative Panel - Moderator: John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Panelists:
Estina Baker, Staff Senior Campaign Lead for NJ, National CWA
The Honorable Anthony M. Bucco, Senator, State of NJ
The Honorable Bette Lou DeCroce – Assemblywoman, State of NJ
The Honorable Antwan McClellan, Assemblyman, State of NJ
The Honorable Joe Pennacchio, Senator, State of NJ
Day 2 Panel
Topic - Mission/Priorities - Moderator – Tracy M. Thompson, Esq.
Panelists:
Taneshia Nash-Laird, Newark Symphony Hall
Bernell Hall, President & CEO, Invest Newark
Reverend John Taylor, Friendship Baptist Church, Trenton, NJ
Day 2 Panel
Topic: Public/Private Sector Opportunities - Moderator – John Kahn, Associate, Duane Morris
Panelists:
Dale G. Caldwell, Ed.D., Professor & Executive Director, Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship,
Silberman College of Business, Fairleigh Dickinson University
DeAnna.Minus-Vincent, Vice President, Social Impact & Community Investment, RWJBarnabas Health
Vivian Cox Fraser, President & CEO, Urban League of Essex County
Will Smith, Director of Procurement, South Jersey Industries
Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
Day 2 Panel
Topic: Impact on Main Street - Moderator – Vaughn L. McKoy,
Panelists:
Racheal Fosu, President, The Galileo PreSchools, Busy Place Early Leaning Center, KIDFIN
Barri Gibson, Owner, Ruby Red Roots Hair Salon
Corrine Bradley/Powers, Owner, Corrine’s Place
Bridgette Nzali,President, African & American Braiding
Vonda McPhearson, Owner, Vonda’s Kitchen
Donnell Williams, Owner of Destiny Realty, Morristown, New Jersey, President, National Association of Real Estate
Brokers (N.A.R.E.B.)
Day 2 Panel
Topic: Legislative Panel - Moderator – John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Panelists:
The Honorable Ras Baraka, Mayor, Newark, NJ
The Honorable Jamel Holley, Assemblyman, State of NJ
The Honorable Verlinda Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblywoman, State of NJ
The Honorable Ronald Rice, Senator, State of NJ
The Honorable Marty Small, Jr., Mayor of Atlantic City, NJ
Collin Smith, Constituent Services Coordinator for the Honorable Troy Singleton, Senator, State of NJ
Doug Steinhardt, Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee
###
"This initiative launched by the United States Chamber of Commerce underscores and demonstrates that relationships do matter. Moreover, it will serve as a best practice that has the potential to reset America for the better. I plan to share my insights, perspectives and the painful stories that I have witnessed from individuals and businesses in their quest to obtain their equitable stake of all the good our country has to offer. The United States Chamber of Commerce has access to the appropriate constituencies to have this conversation and I plan to take full advantage of this opportunity to make a difference."
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President, and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
U.S. Chamber Launches National Initiative on Inequality of Opportunity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced a national townhall on June 25th as part of an ongoing initiative to address inequality of opportunity through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and criminal justice reform.
“The senseless death of George Floyd has called renewed attention to the inequality and injustice in America. We stand in solidarity against racism and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our society and economy,” said Suzanne Clark, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “As a nation, we must address this issue with a robust plan of action.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest organization representing businesses of all sizes across every sector of the economy, will fully leverage its federation of trade associations and state and local chambers by continuing this dialogue in local communities, and across industry sectors. Inspired by its mission to create jobs and grow the economy, the Chamber will announce initiative partners who, in addition to participating in the national townhall, will be hosting their own local and industry dialogues.
A national steering committee on this initiative is in development and initially represents leaders across industries and geographies, including: Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; John Harmon, Founder, President, and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; Susan Neely, President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers; Vincent B. Orange, Sr., President and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce; Carlos Phillips, President and CEO of the Greenville (South Carolina) Chamber of Commerce; and Matt Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation.
These steps will build on many of the Chamber’s recent efforts including support of the First Step Act, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management Initiative, our partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on the Business Case for Racial Equity and how best to achieve it, and our collaboration with historically Black colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions.
The unemployment rate is historically about twice as high for Black Americans as for white Americans. The combined impacts of the pandemic and economic crises have disproportionately hit disadvantaged communities, making this problem worse. The business community must work together on these challenges.
Clark continued, “The Chamber believes that the moral case for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace is indisputable, and there’s overwhelming evidence that greater diversity benefits the American economy, businesses, communities and employees. At the Chamber, we know what a job means to a family and to a community. We will leverage our expertise and relationships to help develop solutions that will enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in our economic system.”
Clark concluded, “We call on all business leaders to join us in creating equality in opportunity for all Americans.”
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Founder, President, and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
U.S. Chamber Launches National Initiative on Inequality of Opportunity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced a national townhall on June 25th as part of an ongoing initiative to address inequality of opportunity through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and criminal justice reform.
“The senseless death of George Floyd has called renewed attention to the inequality and injustice in America. We stand in solidarity against racism and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our society and economy,” said Suzanne Clark, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “As a nation, we must address this issue with a robust plan of action.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest organization representing businesses of all sizes across every sector of the economy, will fully leverage its federation of trade associations and state and local chambers by continuing this dialogue in local communities, and across industry sectors. Inspired by its mission to create jobs and grow the economy, the Chamber will announce initiative partners who, in addition to participating in the national townhall, will be hosting their own local and industry dialogues.
A national steering committee on this initiative is in development and initially represents leaders across industries and geographies, including: Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; John Harmon, Founder, President, and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; Susan Neely, President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers; Vincent B. Orange, Sr., President and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce; Carlos Phillips, President and CEO of the Greenville (South Carolina) Chamber of Commerce; and Matt Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation.
These steps will build on many of the Chamber’s recent efforts including support of the First Step Act, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management Initiative, our partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on the Business Case for Racial Equity and how best to achieve it, and our collaboration with historically Black colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions.
The unemployment rate is historically about twice as high for Black Americans as for white Americans. The combined impacts of the pandemic and economic crises have disproportionately hit disadvantaged communities, making this problem worse. The business community must work together on these challenges.
Clark continued, “The Chamber believes that the moral case for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace is indisputable, and there’s overwhelming evidence that greater diversity benefits the American economy, businesses, communities and employees. At the Chamber, we know what a job means to a family and to a community. We will leverage our expertise and relationships to help develop solutions that will enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in our economic system.”
Clark concluded, “We call on all business leaders to join us in creating equality in opportunity for all Americans.”
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
For Release:
May 12, 2020
Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin
p: 732-855-7441
e: AsmCoughlin@njleg.org
Asm. Coughlin on Facebook
@speakercoughlin
www.assemblydems.com
Speaker Coughlin Announces Members
of His COVID-19 Panel to Advise
on Economic Recovery Strategy
Speaker Also Encourages Elective Surgery
and Infrastructure Construction to Begin Again
John E. Harmon, Sr., "I am honored to participate as a member of Speaker Coughlin's Covid-19 Panel and to have the opportunity to advise on an Economic Recovery Strategy. A cohesive, targeted strategy is needed to ensure the economic recovery of all of New Jersey's citizens, especially those who have endured the greatest disparity in loss of life, and/or livelihood."
(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin today named the remaining 33 members who will serve on an Economic Advisory Council he recently announced. The new working panel will advise the Speaker and other members of Assembly Leadership on efforts to ensure New Jersey can responsibly recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19 when the pandemic subsides.
The private sector panel consists of experts in the fields of government, health care, education, higher education, business, commerce, tourism, social services and more. As previously announced, the advisory panel will be chaired by George R. Zoffinger who has led six different companies in his professional career and is currently President and Chief Executive Officer at Constellation Capital Corp.
“I am pleased that so many highly regarded and well respected experts in such a vast array of fields have agreed to sit on this very important economic advisory panel,” said Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “The names are well known to many New Jerseyans. These members will help the Assembly devise a strategy to ensure New Jersey is prepared to safely and successfully reopen, balancing the needs of public health and the economy. It is time to consider reopening our hospitals for elective surgeries and to begin initial infrastructure construction. We must have a game plan and with the help of these esteemed members, we will.”
The panel will hold its first electronic meeting Friday, May 15, 2020. The Economic Advisory Council will consist of:
George Zoffinger- Chairman of the New Brunswick Economic Development Corporation - Chair
Mr. Zoffinger is the former president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Throughout his professional career George sat on eight corporate boards in a variety of industries including Virgin Media, INC, the largest British cable company, and New Jersey Resources Corporation. George is also a former member of the Rutgers Board of Governors.
Academics
Carl Van Horn, Ph.D. - Director, John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development
Dr. Van Horn is a Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. He is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Since 2013, he has been a Visiting, Non-Resident, Scholar with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He is also Senior Advisor for Strategy and Planning in the Office of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
James Hughes,Ph.D. - University Professor, Rutgers University
As University Professor, Dr. Hughes reports solely to the chief academic officer (Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs) of Rutgers and has the university-wide privilege of conducting research and educational activities across the disciplines and schools of his choice. This prestigious position follows his 22-year tenure (1995-2017) as the dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers.
Labor
Bill Mullen - President of the New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council
As President of the Building Trades Council, Mr. Mullen is spokesman and directs the activities of the statewide body, comprising 15 international building trades unions and 13 county councils, representing some 150,000 members.
Charles Wowkanech – President NJ AFL-CIO
Mr. Wowkanech is president of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, which represents the rights of more than 1 million members belonging to labor unions in New Jersey.
Education
John Holloway, Ph.D. - (Incoming) President, Rutgers University
President Holloway is the 21st President at Rutgers University. Prior to Rutgers, Dr. Holloway served as the Northwestern University provost since 2017
Mark J. Finkelstein - Vice-Chair of the Middlesex County College Board of Trustees
Mr. Finkelstein has served as the Vice-Chair of the Middlesex County College Board of Trustees since 2017. He is the Superintendent of Schools at the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey.
Kyle Anderson -Interim Executive County Superintendent, Middlesex County
The Middlesex County Office of the New Jersey Department of Education functions as a state/county coordinating agency charged with providing educational leadership for all public-school districts in Middlesex County. Mr. Anderson is also a member of the Middlesex County Board of Trustees
Government
John McCormac - Mayor of Woodbridge Township
Mayor McCormac served as the Treasurer of New Jersey between 2002-2006, under Governors McGreevey and Codey. John is currently in his fourth term as the Mayor of Woodbridge
Theresa Berger, Mayor of Howell
Dr. Berger is an M.D. and president and CEO of Ocean Health Initiative, a nonprofit health organization based in Lakewood.
Law and Public Safety
Tony Coscia – Partner at Windels Marx
Mr. Coscia areas of practice include corporate and real estate as well as asset restructuring. He is the Chairman of Amtrak’s Board of Directors.
Peter Harvey – Partner at Patterson Belknap
Mr. Harvey was the New Jersey Attorney General from 2003-2006, the first African American to hold the position. In 2016, Harvey appointed to serve as the Independent Federal Monitor for the Newark Police Department.
Business
Christopher Paladino -President, New Brunswick Development Corporation
Under his Mr. Paladino’s leadership, DEVCO has initiated, developed and managed nearly 5.4 million square feet in residential, commercial, academic and institutional activity valued at over $2 billion by focusing on a unique brand of public-private joint venture partnerships.
Valerie Montecalvo- President, Bayshore Recycling
Ms. Montecalvo runs one of the largest recycling facilities in the Northeast.
John E. Harmon, Sr- Founder, President, and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Harmon also is the Former Chairman of the Board for the National Black Chamber of Commerce; there are 150 Affiliate Chapters of the NBCC and over fifteen international affiliates. He is the Founder and Chairman of the New York State Black Chamber of Commerce.
Peter Visceglia - Federal Business Centers
Mr. Visceglia owns and Operates Federal Business Centers which operates the large Raritan Center properties in Edison, NJ
Jack Kocsis- CEO of the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey
Cheryl Norton- President of NJ American Water
Ms. Norton is the President of NJ American Water. In this capacity, she serves 2.7 million customers statewide, and is also Vice President of American Water’s Eastern Division which comprises New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Virginia.
Luis De La Hoz- Chairman of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Luis assists non-for- profit organizations reach the Latino Small Business Owner market by acting as an advisor for Latino Entrepreneurs. Louis is an active member of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ), Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce (MCRCC), Hispanic Chamber of E Commerce.
Banking and Finance
Steve Guidette - Executive Vice President of Business Banking at Provident Bank
Mr. Guidette’s position has enabled him to develop an expertise in small business lending, and how we can give small businesses across the state a lifeline.
Paul Vecchione – Principal, International Planning Alliance, LLC
Mr. Vecchione represents many small and medium size businesses throughout the state. Also, a former partner at EisenerAmper.
Christiana Foglio – President & CEO of Community Investment Strategies, Inc.
Prior to heading Community Investment strategies, Ms. Foglio was the former head of NJ Mortgage Finance agency and the former President of DEVCO.
Social Services
Carlos M. Rodriguez- President and CEO of the Community Food Bank of NJ
Mr. Rodriguez is an experienced nonprofit leader and the current CEO and President of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. He previously served as the Executive Director of Fulfill (formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties) and has also held high-level positions at the Food Bank For New York City, as well as the Children’s Defense Fund of New York and the Community Food Resource Center.
Dena Mottola - Jaborska - Associate Director, NJ Citizen Action
Dena is the Associate Director at New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA). She directs NJCA's advocacy and political program. NJCA is a statewide social service and advocacy group that seeks to improve the lives of low and moderate income New Jersey families through the provision of no-cost direct service, policy advocacy, grassroots and coalition mobilization, civic engagement and the election of progressive leaders. NJCA's signature advocacy efforts include health care; consumer protection and financial justice; social (racial, gender, GLBTQ) equality; budget and tax fairness; and workers' rights and economic security.
Rose Cushing- President & CEO YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, South Amboy
Having worked for our YMCA for 26 years Ms. Cushing has been an integral part of the Y's expansion from a $900,000 single branch operation in 1988 to its current scope of service to Greater Middlesex County with programs in Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, South Amboy, Piscataway and Perth Amboy with a budget of over $14 million.
Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree – Aide for Clergy Affairs for Mayor Ras Baraka
Rev. Scott-Rountree is an Associate Minister, Director of Church Wide Affairs, Assistant Director of The Youth Department, Assistant Director of Vacation Bible School, Assistant Director of Visions of Faith Dance Ministry, and is a Youth Choir Advisor at the Good Neighbor Baptist Church in Newark.
Healthcare
Ken Esser- Senior Vice president and Chief of Staff for Corporate Services, Governance, and Government Relations at Hackensack Meridian Health.
Mr. Esser joined the administration of Gov. James E. McGreevey in 2004 as a government relations aide at the Department of Community affairs. He was a senior policy advisor for economic growth at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission under Gov. Dick Codey, and the chief energy advisor to Gov. Jon Corzine. Esser spent four years as a business development manager at PSE&G before joining Hackensack Meridian Health.
Amy Mansue - Vice President and Chief Experience Officer- RWJ Barnabas Health
Ms. Mansue served as deputy chief of staff to Gov. James McGreevey and as a staff member on health care policy for Gov. Jim Florio. Mansue is a member of the Rutgers University Board of Trustees, New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), Middlesex Water Company, New Jersey Policy Perspective, The Fund for New Jersey and The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Advisory Committee.
Dom Pellegrino- Bridgeway Senior Healthcare Services
Mr. Pellegrino operates a family-owned company with 4 facilities in Somerset County.
Andrew Brooks, Ph.D. - COO and Director of Technology Development at RUCDR Infinite
Biologics
Dr. Brooks is a molecular neuroscientist whose research focuses on deciphering the molecular mechanisms that underlie memory and learning. These studies investigate gene-environment interactions in the context of aging, neurodegenerative disease and neurotoxicant exposure. Dr. Brooks is a well-recognized genomicist and has been involved in the development and implementation of cutting edge molecular based technologies for nucleic acid and protein analyses. Dr. Brooks and RUCDR are behind the creation of the new coronavirus saliva test.
Manufacturing
Debbie Hart - President and CEO of BioNJ
Ms. Hart was recently named by Governor Murphy to the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology. Bicameral New Jersey Biotechnology Task Force was charged with making recommendations to the Legislature for fostering the growth of the biotechnology industry in New Jersey.
Tourism
Jack Morris - Founder and CEO of Edgewood Properties, Co-owner of the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City and board chair of RWJBarnabas Health.
Mr. Morris is CEO of Edgewood Properties, one of the fastest-growing developmental firms with millions of square feet of retail shopping centers and thousands of residential units throughout New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, and Florida in its portfolio.
Marilou Halvorsen- President and CEO NJ Restaurant and Hospitality Association
Selected for this position in October of 2012, Ms. Halvorsen leads an organization that represents the Garden State's 25,000 hospitality establishments, generating $14 billion in annual sales and employing over 311,000 people. Members of the NJRA include restaurants, lodging facilities, and amusement parks and attractions.
Retail
Amy Bellisano -Senior General Manager at Brookefield Properties
Ms. Bellisano operates the Woodbridge Center property in Woodbridge, NJ.
May 12, 2020
Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin
p: 732-855-7441
e: AsmCoughlin@njleg.org
Asm. Coughlin on Facebook
@speakercoughlin
www.assemblydems.com
Speaker Coughlin Announces Members
of His COVID-19 Panel to Advise
on Economic Recovery Strategy
Speaker Also Encourages Elective Surgery
and Infrastructure Construction to Begin Again
John E. Harmon, Sr., "I am honored to participate as a member of Speaker Coughlin's Covid-19 Panel and to have the opportunity to advise on an Economic Recovery Strategy. A cohesive, targeted strategy is needed to ensure the economic recovery of all of New Jersey's citizens, especially those who have endured the greatest disparity in loss of life, and/or livelihood."
(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin today named the remaining 33 members who will serve on an Economic Advisory Council he recently announced. The new working panel will advise the Speaker and other members of Assembly Leadership on efforts to ensure New Jersey can responsibly recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19 when the pandemic subsides.
The private sector panel consists of experts in the fields of government, health care, education, higher education, business, commerce, tourism, social services and more. As previously announced, the advisory panel will be chaired by George R. Zoffinger who has led six different companies in his professional career and is currently President and Chief Executive Officer at Constellation Capital Corp.
“I am pleased that so many highly regarded and well respected experts in such a vast array of fields have agreed to sit on this very important economic advisory panel,” said Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “The names are well known to many New Jerseyans. These members will help the Assembly devise a strategy to ensure New Jersey is prepared to safely and successfully reopen, balancing the needs of public health and the economy. It is time to consider reopening our hospitals for elective surgeries and to begin initial infrastructure construction. We must have a game plan and with the help of these esteemed members, we will.”
The panel will hold its first electronic meeting Friday, May 15, 2020. The Economic Advisory Council will consist of:
George Zoffinger- Chairman of the New Brunswick Economic Development Corporation - Chair
Mr. Zoffinger is the former president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Throughout his professional career George sat on eight corporate boards in a variety of industries including Virgin Media, INC, the largest British cable company, and New Jersey Resources Corporation. George is also a former member of the Rutgers Board of Governors.
Academics
Carl Van Horn, Ph.D. - Director, John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development
Dr. Van Horn is a Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. He is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Since 2013, he has been a Visiting, Non-Resident, Scholar with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He is also Senior Advisor for Strategy and Planning in the Office of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
James Hughes,Ph.D. - University Professor, Rutgers University
As University Professor, Dr. Hughes reports solely to the chief academic officer (Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs) of Rutgers and has the university-wide privilege of conducting research and educational activities across the disciplines and schools of his choice. This prestigious position follows his 22-year tenure (1995-2017) as the dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers.
Labor
Bill Mullen - President of the New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council
As President of the Building Trades Council, Mr. Mullen is spokesman and directs the activities of the statewide body, comprising 15 international building trades unions and 13 county councils, representing some 150,000 members.
Charles Wowkanech – President NJ AFL-CIO
Mr. Wowkanech is president of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, which represents the rights of more than 1 million members belonging to labor unions in New Jersey.
Education
John Holloway, Ph.D. - (Incoming) President, Rutgers University
President Holloway is the 21st President at Rutgers University. Prior to Rutgers, Dr. Holloway served as the Northwestern University provost since 2017
Mark J. Finkelstein - Vice-Chair of the Middlesex County College Board of Trustees
Mr. Finkelstein has served as the Vice-Chair of the Middlesex County College Board of Trustees since 2017. He is the Superintendent of Schools at the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey.
Kyle Anderson -Interim Executive County Superintendent, Middlesex County
The Middlesex County Office of the New Jersey Department of Education functions as a state/county coordinating agency charged with providing educational leadership for all public-school districts in Middlesex County. Mr. Anderson is also a member of the Middlesex County Board of Trustees
Government
John McCormac - Mayor of Woodbridge Township
Mayor McCormac served as the Treasurer of New Jersey between 2002-2006, under Governors McGreevey and Codey. John is currently in his fourth term as the Mayor of Woodbridge
Theresa Berger, Mayor of Howell
Dr. Berger is an M.D. and president and CEO of Ocean Health Initiative, a nonprofit health organization based in Lakewood.
Law and Public Safety
Tony Coscia – Partner at Windels Marx
Mr. Coscia areas of practice include corporate and real estate as well as asset restructuring. He is the Chairman of Amtrak’s Board of Directors.
Peter Harvey – Partner at Patterson Belknap
Mr. Harvey was the New Jersey Attorney General from 2003-2006, the first African American to hold the position. In 2016, Harvey appointed to serve as the Independent Federal Monitor for the Newark Police Department.
Business
Christopher Paladino -President, New Brunswick Development Corporation
Under his Mr. Paladino’s leadership, DEVCO has initiated, developed and managed nearly 5.4 million square feet in residential, commercial, academic and institutional activity valued at over $2 billion by focusing on a unique brand of public-private joint venture partnerships.
Valerie Montecalvo- President, Bayshore Recycling
Ms. Montecalvo runs one of the largest recycling facilities in the Northeast.
John E. Harmon, Sr- Founder, President, and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Harmon also is the Former Chairman of the Board for the National Black Chamber of Commerce; there are 150 Affiliate Chapters of the NBCC and over fifteen international affiliates. He is the Founder and Chairman of the New York State Black Chamber of Commerce.
Peter Visceglia - Federal Business Centers
Mr. Visceglia owns and Operates Federal Business Centers which operates the large Raritan Center properties in Edison, NJ
Jack Kocsis- CEO of the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey
Cheryl Norton- President of NJ American Water
Ms. Norton is the President of NJ American Water. In this capacity, she serves 2.7 million customers statewide, and is also Vice President of American Water’s Eastern Division which comprises New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Virginia.
Luis De La Hoz- Chairman of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Luis assists non-for- profit organizations reach the Latino Small Business Owner market by acting as an advisor for Latino Entrepreneurs. Louis is an active member of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ), Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce (MCRCC), Hispanic Chamber of E Commerce.
Banking and Finance
Steve Guidette - Executive Vice President of Business Banking at Provident Bank
Mr. Guidette’s position has enabled him to develop an expertise in small business lending, and how we can give small businesses across the state a lifeline.
Paul Vecchione – Principal, International Planning Alliance, LLC
Mr. Vecchione represents many small and medium size businesses throughout the state. Also, a former partner at EisenerAmper.
Christiana Foglio – President & CEO of Community Investment Strategies, Inc.
Prior to heading Community Investment strategies, Ms. Foglio was the former head of NJ Mortgage Finance agency and the former President of DEVCO.
Social Services
Carlos M. Rodriguez- President and CEO of the Community Food Bank of NJ
Mr. Rodriguez is an experienced nonprofit leader and the current CEO and President of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. He previously served as the Executive Director of Fulfill (formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties) and has also held high-level positions at the Food Bank For New York City, as well as the Children’s Defense Fund of New York and the Community Food Resource Center.
Dena Mottola - Jaborska - Associate Director, NJ Citizen Action
Dena is the Associate Director at New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA). She directs NJCA's advocacy and political program. NJCA is a statewide social service and advocacy group that seeks to improve the lives of low and moderate income New Jersey families through the provision of no-cost direct service, policy advocacy, grassroots and coalition mobilization, civic engagement and the election of progressive leaders. NJCA's signature advocacy efforts include health care; consumer protection and financial justice; social (racial, gender, GLBTQ) equality; budget and tax fairness; and workers' rights and economic security.
Rose Cushing- President & CEO YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, South Amboy
Having worked for our YMCA for 26 years Ms. Cushing has been an integral part of the Y's expansion from a $900,000 single branch operation in 1988 to its current scope of service to Greater Middlesex County with programs in Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, South Amboy, Piscataway and Perth Amboy with a budget of over $14 million.
Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree – Aide for Clergy Affairs for Mayor Ras Baraka
Rev. Scott-Rountree is an Associate Minister, Director of Church Wide Affairs, Assistant Director of The Youth Department, Assistant Director of Vacation Bible School, Assistant Director of Visions of Faith Dance Ministry, and is a Youth Choir Advisor at the Good Neighbor Baptist Church in Newark.
Healthcare
Ken Esser- Senior Vice president and Chief of Staff for Corporate Services, Governance, and Government Relations at Hackensack Meridian Health.
Mr. Esser joined the administration of Gov. James E. McGreevey in 2004 as a government relations aide at the Department of Community affairs. He was a senior policy advisor for economic growth at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission under Gov. Dick Codey, and the chief energy advisor to Gov. Jon Corzine. Esser spent four years as a business development manager at PSE&G before joining Hackensack Meridian Health.
Amy Mansue - Vice President and Chief Experience Officer- RWJ Barnabas Health
Ms. Mansue served as deputy chief of staff to Gov. James McGreevey and as a staff member on health care policy for Gov. Jim Florio. Mansue is a member of the Rutgers University Board of Trustees, New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), Middlesex Water Company, New Jersey Policy Perspective, The Fund for New Jersey and The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Advisory Committee.
Dom Pellegrino- Bridgeway Senior Healthcare Services
Mr. Pellegrino operates a family-owned company with 4 facilities in Somerset County.
Andrew Brooks, Ph.D. - COO and Director of Technology Development at RUCDR Infinite
Biologics
Dr. Brooks is a molecular neuroscientist whose research focuses on deciphering the molecular mechanisms that underlie memory and learning. These studies investigate gene-environment interactions in the context of aging, neurodegenerative disease and neurotoxicant exposure. Dr. Brooks is a well-recognized genomicist and has been involved in the development and implementation of cutting edge molecular based technologies for nucleic acid and protein analyses. Dr. Brooks and RUCDR are behind the creation of the new coronavirus saliva test.
Manufacturing
Debbie Hart - President and CEO of BioNJ
Ms. Hart was recently named by Governor Murphy to the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology. Bicameral New Jersey Biotechnology Task Force was charged with making recommendations to the Legislature for fostering the growth of the biotechnology industry in New Jersey.
Tourism
Jack Morris - Founder and CEO of Edgewood Properties, Co-owner of the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City and board chair of RWJBarnabas Health.
Mr. Morris is CEO of Edgewood Properties, one of the fastest-growing developmental firms with millions of square feet of retail shopping centers and thousands of residential units throughout New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, and Florida in its portfolio.
Marilou Halvorsen- President and CEO NJ Restaurant and Hospitality Association
Selected for this position in October of 2012, Ms. Halvorsen leads an organization that represents the Garden State's 25,000 hospitality establishments, generating $14 billion in annual sales and employing over 311,000 people. Members of the NJRA include restaurants, lodging facilities, and amusement parks and attractions.
Retail
Amy Bellisano -Senior General Manager at Brookefield Properties
Ms. Bellisano operates the Woodbridge Center property in Woodbridge, NJ.
May 11, 2020
Trenton, NJ, John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President & CEO, will serve on New Jersey’s Restart & Recovery Advisory Council. Convened by Governor Phil Murphy as part of a comprehensive public health and economic response to Covid-19, the objective of the New Jersey Restart & Recovery Advisory Council (The Council) is to bring together leaders from various industry, community, and anchor groups and institutions across the state in order to advise state leadership on economic matters impacted by the pandemic.
On Friday, May 8th Governor Murphy signed an executive order to create a "boots on the ground" advisory council that will bring leaders from various industries, communities and faith-based groups together -- helping New Jersey bounce back from the COVID-19 shutdown.
“With this task force we are bringing together some of the sharpest minds our state and nation have to offer,” said Governor Murphy. “As I have said from the start, public health creates economic health and these individuals will help us decide when and how to restart the economy to best benefit both.”
"I welcome the opportunity to dialogue and provide our unique perspective about our efforts to keep our constituency of 1.1 million black residents and over 80,000 black businesses viable during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As you know, black people and black businesses struggle to keep pace even during a normal economic environment, therefore, the impact of COVID-19 has been tremendously devastating to our constituency", said John Harmon, Sr. "Through this engagement with the Murphy Administrations Restart and Recovery Council, the AACCNJ continues to position itself as a valuable resource to provide advocacy and services to its members and the general public during the current Health & Economic Emergency."
The Council will be Co-Chaired by Secretary of Higher Education, Zakiya Smith Ellis, Ed.D., Chief Executive Officer, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Tim Sullivan, and Choose, New Jersey President & CEO, Jose Lozano. The Council will have nine committees each of which will be chaired by one of the three Council Co-Chairs.
As a member of the "Main Street Committee" Harmon's role will consist of:
The council will work in conjunction with New Jersey's Restart and Recovery Commission and will begin virtual meetings this week.
Trenton, NJ, John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President & CEO, will serve on New Jersey’s Restart & Recovery Advisory Council. Convened by Governor Phil Murphy as part of a comprehensive public health and economic response to Covid-19, the objective of the New Jersey Restart & Recovery Advisory Council (The Council) is to bring together leaders from various industry, community, and anchor groups and institutions across the state in order to advise state leadership on economic matters impacted by the pandemic.
On Friday, May 8th Governor Murphy signed an executive order to create a "boots on the ground" advisory council that will bring leaders from various industries, communities and faith-based groups together -- helping New Jersey bounce back from the COVID-19 shutdown.
“With this task force we are bringing together some of the sharpest minds our state and nation have to offer,” said Governor Murphy. “As I have said from the start, public health creates economic health and these individuals will help us decide when and how to restart the economy to best benefit both.”
"I welcome the opportunity to dialogue and provide our unique perspective about our efforts to keep our constituency of 1.1 million black residents and over 80,000 black businesses viable during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As you know, black people and black businesses struggle to keep pace even during a normal economic environment, therefore, the impact of COVID-19 has been tremendously devastating to our constituency", said John Harmon, Sr. "Through this engagement with the Murphy Administrations Restart and Recovery Council, the AACCNJ continues to position itself as a valuable resource to provide advocacy and services to its members and the general public during the current Health & Economic Emergency."
The Council will be Co-Chaired by Secretary of Higher Education, Zakiya Smith Ellis, Ed.D., Chief Executive Officer, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Tim Sullivan, and Choose, New Jersey President & CEO, Jose Lozano. The Council will have nine committees each of which will be chaired by one of the three Council Co-Chairs.
As a member of the "Main Street Committee" Harmon's role will consist of:
- serving as a representative for the businesses and people within his sector.
- calling the state’s attention to less visible economic hardships brought on by the pandemic.
- providing feedback and advice on emerging state and regional economic policies as we continue to confront the health crisis.
The council will work in conjunction with New Jersey's Restart and Recovery Commission and will begin virtual meetings this week.
Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis
Secretary of Higher Education Council Co-Chair |
Jose Lazano
President & CEO Choose, New Jersey Council Co-Chair |
Tim Sullivan
Chief Executive Officer, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Council Co-Chair |
Among the major issues to be addressed by the Commission will be immediate questions surrounding the safe restart of society. The Commission will also address both short-term and long-term economic issues as well as areas such as public health, workforce issues, and transportation. The Commission will develop strategies for how the State and Federal government can support the economic recovery of the private sector and identify critical needs for federal support and intervention. Members will advise the administration on potential investments that will speed the recovery and position New Jersey’s economy for long-term success. Where possible, the Commission will identify opportunities for various sectors to be rebuilt to be well-positioned for both the economy of today and the economy of the future, while promoting equity for disadvantaged communities.
Members of the Commission
Dr. Shirley M. Tilghman (Co-Chair) - Professor of Molecular Biology & Public Policy
and President Emeritus of Princeton University
Kenneth Frazier (Co-Chair) - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co., Inc.
Dr. Ben Bernanke - Distinguished Fellow in Residence at the Brookings Institution and
former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Dr. Richard Besser - President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and
former Acting Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Evelyn McGee Colbert - Founding Board Member and President of the Board of
Montclair Film and Vice President of Spartina Productions
Tony Coscia - Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), Partner and Executive Committee member of
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP law firm and Chairman of Suez North America Inc.
Jessica Gonzalez - Founder & Chief Executive Officer of InCharged, VendX, and Lux-UVC
Dr. Jonathan Holloway - Incoming President of Rutgers University and
former Provost of Northwestern University
Lisa P. Jackson - Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple Inc., former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
and former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Jeh Johnson - Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and Partner
at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP
Charles Lowrey - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Financial, Inc.
Denise Morrison - Founder of Denise Morrison & Associates, LLC
and a Senior Advisor for PSP Partners.
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of The Campbell Soup Company
Dr. William Rodgers - Professor of Public Policy and Chief Economist
at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University.
Former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor
Neera Tanden - President and CEO of the Center for American Progress
and the CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund
Reverend Dr. Regena Thomas - Director of the Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
and former New Jersey Secretary of State
Richard Trumka - President of the AFL-CIO
Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver* - Lt. Governor, State of New Jersey
George Helmy* - Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
Judith Persichilli* - New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner
Matt Platkin* - Chief Counsel, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
Kathleen Frangione* - Chief Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
*Ex Officio
Members of the Commission
Dr. Shirley M. Tilghman (Co-Chair) - Professor of Molecular Biology & Public Policy
and President Emeritus of Princeton University
Kenneth Frazier (Co-Chair) - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co., Inc.
Dr. Ben Bernanke - Distinguished Fellow in Residence at the Brookings Institution and
former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Dr. Richard Besser - President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and
former Acting Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Evelyn McGee Colbert - Founding Board Member and President of the Board of
Montclair Film and Vice President of Spartina Productions
Tony Coscia - Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), Partner and Executive Committee member of
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP law firm and Chairman of Suez North America Inc.
Jessica Gonzalez - Founder & Chief Executive Officer of InCharged, VendX, and Lux-UVC
Dr. Jonathan Holloway - Incoming President of Rutgers University and
former Provost of Northwestern University
Lisa P. Jackson - Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple Inc., former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
and former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Jeh Johnson - Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and Partner
at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP
Charles Lowrey - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Financial, Inc.
Denise Morrison - Founder of Denise Morrison & Associates, LLC
and a Senior Advisor for PSP Partners.
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of The Campbell Soup Company
Dr. William Rodgers - Professor of Public Policy and Chief Economist
at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University.
Former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor
Neera Tanden - President and CEO of the Center for American Progress
and the CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund
Reverend Dr. Regena Thomas - Director of the Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
and former New Jersey Secretary of State
Richard Trumka - President of the AFL-CIO
Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver* - Lt. Governor, State of New Jersey
George Helmy* - Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
Judith Persichilli* - New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner
Matt Platkin* - Chief Counsel, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
Kathleen Frangione* - Chief Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
*Ex Officio
NJEDA Announces Agencies Selected
to Offer Technical Assistance to COVID-19
Impacted Small Businesses Applying for SBA Funding
TRENTON, N.J. (March 30, 2020) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced that it is partnering with four organizations to offer support services to businesses seeking federal financial assistance through Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. This technical assistance is the latest in a series of steps New Jersey is taking to help small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
These organizations will help small business owners file their applications through the SBA to receive working capital loans to help them survive this crisis. Additional information about SBA program is available online at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/.
“New Jersey is working with public and private sector partners to ensure that small businesses, including those in historically underserved communities, have access to the resources they need to continue paying their bills and their workers during these unprecedented times,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “We understand that there are numerous programs out there and it can be difficult to navigate through them. Through this technical assistance program, and other initiatives we are standing up, our goal is to connect business owners and entrepreneurs with the funding sources that best suit their individual needs.”
The following organizations have been selected to provide application assistance to businesses:
This assistance includes, but is not limited to, preparing financial information, packaging application documentation, and completing and submitting the on-line or paper-based application. Compensation for these organizations will be based on completed and submitted SBA applications.
“The AACCNJ is devoted to helping its constituents through the economic hardships resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak,” said AACCNJ President, Founder, and CEO John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM. “To the small business owners and employers throughout the state, know that we will leverage our partnerships and expertise to guide you through the SBA application process. We are here to help.”
“The economic impact that the COVID-19 outbreak has had on small businesses is staggering and the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce stands ready to assist business owners, regardless of veteran status, as they seek to overcome the challenges that arise in the coming days, weeks, and months,” Jeff Cantor, Colonel, US Army (Ret.); Founder of the NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce.
“Entrepreneurs and small businesses play such a critical role in transforming our communities through the jobs and other opportunities they provide,” said Rising Tide Capital Co-Founder and CEO Alfa Demmellash. “Rising Tide Capital is here to help them navigate the process of applying for SBA loans and better position themselves to receive optimal funding.”
“New Jersey’s small businesses owners are resilient, but they are vulnerable as they confront the new reality presented by the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Carlos Medina, CEO and President, SHCCNJ. “The Chamber is prepared to work side-by-side with them to help secure the SBA funding that will be so critical to their recovery.”
Last week the NJEDA announced a suite of new programs designed to support businesses and workers facing economic hardship due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Earlier this month the State launched an online portal dedicated to answering business owners’ questions related to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on businesses. The portal can be found at http://cv.business.nj.gov/.
About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.
To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.com and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
to Offer Technical Assistance to COVID-19
Impacted Small Businesses Applying for SBA Funding
TRENTON, N.J. (March 30, 2020) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced that it is partnering with four organizations to offer support services to businesses seeking federal financial assistance through Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. This technical assistance is the latest in a series of steps New Jersey is taking to help small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
These organizations will help small business owners file their applications through the SBA to receive working capital loans to help them survive this crisis. Additional information about SBA program is available online at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/.
“New Jersey is working with public and private sector partners to ensure that small businesses, including those in historically underserved communities, have access to the resources they need to continue paying their bills and their workers during these unprecedented times,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “We understand that there are numerous programs out there and it can be difficult to navigate through them. Through this technical assistance program, and other initiatives we are standing up, our goal is to connect business owners and entrepreneurs with the funding sources that best suit their individual needs.”
The following organizations have been selected to provide application assistance to businesses:
- African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ)
- New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce
- Rising Tide Capital
- Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ)
This assistance includes, but is not limited to, preparing financial information, packaging application documentation, and completing and submitting the on-line or paper-based application. Compensation for these organizations will be based on completed and submitted SBA applications.
“The AACCNJ is devoted to helping its constituents through the economic hardships resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak,” said AACCNJ President, Founder, and CEO John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM. “To the small business owners and employers throughout the state, know that we will leverage our partnerships and expertise to guide you through the SBA application process. We are here to help.”
“The economic impact that the COVID-19 outbreak has had on small businesses is staggering and the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce stands ready to assist business owners, regardless of veteran status, as they seek to overcome the challenges that arise in the coming days, weeks, and months,” Jeff Cantor, Colonel, US Army (Ret.); Founder of the NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce.
“Entrepreneurs and small businesses play such a critical role in transforming our communities through the jobs and other opportunities they provide,” said Rising Tide Capital Co-Founder and CEO Alfa Demmellash. “Rising Tide Capital is here to help them navigate the process of applying for SBA loans and better position themselves to receive optimal funding.”
“New Jersey’s small businesses owners are resilient, but they are vulnerable as they confront the new reality presented by the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Carlos Medina, CEO and President, SHCCNJ. “The Chamber is prepared to work side-by-side with them to help secure the SBA funding that will be so critical to their recovery.”
Last week the NJEDA announced a suite of new programs designed to support businesses and workers facing economic hardship due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Earlier this month the State launched an online portal dedicated to answering business owners’ questions related to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on businesses. The portal can be found at http://cv.business.nj.gov/.
About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.
To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.com and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2020
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY DONATES 100 MOVIE TICKETS TO BERKELEY COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR SCREENING OF ‘JUST MERCY’ DURING MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WEEKEND
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey has donated more than 100 tickets to Berkeley College students for a viewing of “Just Mercy” ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The movie features Michael B. Jordan as Bryan Stevenson, a Harvard lawyer who moves to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who cannot afford proper representation.
“This movie underscores the resiliency of black people and what we’ve endured to be recognized as full citizens of this country,” said John Harmon, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. “It should serve as an inspiration for those in the legal profession as to what advocacy is all about. We at the AACCNJ applaud the work of our friend Bryan Stevenson. May others follow his example in portraying black excellence in film and in his profession.”
“We are grateful to the African American Chamber of Commerce for this generous donation to our students that raises their consciousness to the realities of racial injustice,” said Angela Harrington, Vice President, Communications and External Relations, Berkeley College. “As we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend, we honor Dr. King’s legacy of humanity by continuing his mission of righting the wrongs in our society and raising awareness, through movies like ‘Just Mercy,’ knowing there is still much more work that needs to be accomplished.”
The film is based on the memoir of the same name, written by Mr. Stevenson. It received awards from the African-American Film Critics Association for Best Supporting Actor (Jamie Foxx) and was named among the association’s Top 10 Films of the Year. Jamie Foxx also is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role by the Screen Actors Guild.
MLK Service Activities at Berkeley College
In addition to the partnership with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Berkeley College students, faculty, staff and alumni will commemorate the impact of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through activities and community service initiatives in New York, New Jersey and online this month. January 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of MLK Day of Service, an initiative of the federal Corporation for National and Community Service that encourages individuals to embrace Dr. King’s vision of community. Click here to learn about additional activities during Martin Luther King Jr. Day and MLK Day of Service at Berkeley College.
MORE INFORMATION: Students will arrive at The Mill at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, NJ, for a 6 p.m. movie showing.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact Berkeley College Media Relations at 201-509-1840.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, as well as in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses through entrepreneurship and capitalistic initiatives throughout the state of New Jersey and through its partnership with the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (NBCC).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2020
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY DONATES 100 MOVIE TICKETS TO BERKELEY COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR SCREENING OF ‘JUST MERCY’ DURING MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WEEKEND
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey has donated more than 100 tickets to Berkeley College students for a viewing of “Just Mercy” ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The movie features Michael B. Jordan as Bryan Stevenson, a Harvard lawyer who moves to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who cannot afford proper representation.
“This movie underscores the resiliency of black people and what we’ve endured to be recognized as full citizens of this country,” said John Harmon, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. “It should serve as an inspiration for those in the legal profession as to what advocacy is all about. We at the AACCNJ applaud the work of our friend Bryan Stevenson. May others follow his example in portraying black excellence in film and in his profession.”
“We are grateful to the African American Chamber of Commerce for this generous donation to our students that raises their consciousness to the realities of racial injustice,” said Angela Harrington, Vice President, Communications and External Relations, Berkeley College. “As we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend, we honor Dr. King’s legacy of humanity by continuing his mission of righting the wrongs in our society and raising awareness, through movies like ‘Just Mercy,’ knowing there is still much more work that needs to be accomplished.”
The film is based on the memoir of the same name, written by Mr. Stevenson. It received awards from the African-American Film Critics Association for Best Supporting Actor (Jamie Foxx) and was named among the association’s Top 10 Films of the Year. Jamie Foxx also is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role by the Screen Actors Guild.
MLK Service Activities at Berkeley College
In addition to the partnership with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Berkeley College students, faculty, staff and alumni will commemorate the impact of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through activities and community service initiatives in New York, New Jersey and online this month. January 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of MLK Day of Service, an initiative of the federal Corporation for National and Community Service that encourages individuals to embrace Dr. King’s vision of community. Click here to learn about additional activities during Martin Luther King Jr. Day and MLK Day of Service at Berkeley College.
MORE INFORMATION: Students will arrive at The Mill at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, NJ, for a 6 p.m. movie showing.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact Berkeley College Media Relations at 201-509-1840.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, as well as in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses through entrepreneurship and capitalistic initiatives throughout the state of New Jersey and through its partnership with the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (NBCC).
2019 press releases
August 29, 2019
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620 – info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2019
Open For Business Ventures (OFBV)
TRENTON, NJ. – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ in partnership with
Open for Business Ventures (OFBV Network), Wells Fargo, and Mercer County Community College, will present a series of Saturday workshops for returning citizens.
Re-entry Ventures (RV) with AACCNJ will present a series of Saturday workshop to be delivered in 2019, containing 35 returning citizen student entrepreneurs. The classes will be held at Mercer County Community College, James Kerney Campus, Trenton, NJ . Students will be recruited through community partnerships. All workshops will be led by C.J. Meenan and Tracey Syphax, who will deliver OFBV Network’s state-of-the-art curriculum. In addition, all participants will have access to OFBV Network’s online community, offering returning citizens broader access to discuss problems and ideas with their instructors, mentors and one another on their own schedules. Combined with customized program models and cost-effective online coursework system, this maximizes returning citizens’ chances of launching successful businesses as well as navigating business management and growth over time.
RV was formed as a response to the need for transformational entrepreneurship training that encourages self-discovery, knowledge construction and group-based community support to students who require more flexibility in when and where they can learn. OFBV Network promotes entrepreneurship training as a powerful answer to the problems that many face in today’s fast-paced and technologically-driven world, including returning citizens. The impact of this course is a comprehensive win for communities, the economy and a value adding solution for justice reform.”, Tracey D. Syphax
RV works closely with agencies and their members to provide curriculum, entrepreneurship workshops, instructor training and lectures on entrepreneurship. Based on our past successes, we can offer organizations and their members programs with confidence. RV includes workshop instruction, teacher and mentor training, curriculum and peer learning with support tools via our online platform. RV provides new entrepreneurs all the building blocks to launch successful business ventures through our workshops that are designed to help beginning entrepreneurs to learn the basic concepts required to launch successful new ventures. The workshop model simplifies and accelerates the process of business startup, concluding with the development and presentation of participants’ startup plans.
The AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses through entrepreneurship and capitalistic initiatives throughout the state of N.J. The AACCNJ serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and strategic implementation of resolutions that address the economic disparities of N.J.'s African American business enterprises.
Tracey D. Syphax is the Founder of From the Block 2 the Boardroom LLC, VP & COO of Phax Group Construction & Design LLC, a construction company, and Senior Managing Partner with Phax Group LLC, a real estate development company that owns and manages multiple properties throughout Mercer County, NJ.
Mr. Syphax was educated in the Trenton public school system and received his diploma in 1980. He later attended Mercer County Vocational Technical School. He has spent his 20yr career in business as a strong advocate for ending mass incarceration for non-violent offenders by using proper re-entry tools and entrepreneurship.
C.J. Meenan is an entrepreneur and educator with over 30 years’ experience teaching entrepreneurship and starting small businesses. He holds an MBA from Babson College and is a leader in entrepreneurial education specializing in curriculum design for individuals as well as groups. He has designed entrepreneurship programs at all levels from elementary to adult learners. C.J. is certified in Driving Economic Growth through Entrepreneurship Ecosystems through Babson Executive Education and is also a certified internal corporate coach.
C.J. co-founded The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) in 1987, and through NFTE he helped develop curriculum and launch an entrepreneurship training program that's been implemented at high schools and universities around the world. During his career at NFTE he personally trained 5,000+ teens and 1,500+ adults in the principles of entrepreneurship. In recognition of his work in this field he received the Price Babson Fellowship for Entrepreneurship Educators.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620 – info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2019
Open For Business Ventures (OFBV)
TRENTON, NJ. – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ in partnership with
Open for Business Ventures (OFBV Network), Wells Fargo, and Mercer County Community College, will present a series of Saturday workshops for returning citizens.
Re-entry Ventures (RV) with AACCNJ will present a series of Saturday workshop to be delivered in 2019, containing 35 returning citizen student entrepreneurs. The classes will be held at Mercer County Community College, James Kerney Campus, Trenton, NJ . Students will be recruited through community partnerships. All workshops will be led by C.J. Meenan and Tracey Syphax, who will deliver OFBV Network’s state-of-the-art curriculum. In addition, all participants will have access to OFBV Network’s online community, offering returning citizens broader access to discuss problems and ideas with their instructors, mentors and one another on their own schedules. Combined with customized program models and cost-effective online coursework system, this maximizes returning citizens’ chances of launching successful businesses as well as navigating business management and growth over time.
RV was formed as a response to the need for transformational entrepreneurship training that encourages self-discovery, knowledge construction and group-based community support to students who require more flexibility in when and where they can learn. OFBV Network promotes entrepreneurship training as a powerful answer to the problems that many face in today’s fast-paced and technologically-driven world, including returning citizens. The impact of this course is a comprehensive win for communities, the economy and a value adding solution for justice reform.”, Tracey D. Syphax
RV works closely with agencies and their members to provide curriculum, entrepreneurship workshops, instructor training and lectures on entrepreneurship. Based on our past successes, we can offer organizations and their members programs with confidence. RV includes workshop instruction, teacher and mentor training, curriculum and peer learning with support tools via our online platform. RV provides new entrepreneurs all the building blocks to launch successful business ventures through our workshops that are designed to help beginning entrepreneurs to learn the basic concepts required to launch successful new ventures. The workshop model simplifies and accelerates the process of business startup, concluding with the development and presentation of participants’ startup plans.
The AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses through entrepreneurship and capitalistic initiatives throughout the state of N.J. The AACCNJ serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and strategic implementation of resolutions that address the economic disparities of N.J.'s African American business enterprises.
Tracey D. Syphax is the Founder of From the Block 2 the Boardroom LLC, VP & COO of Phax Group Construction & Design LLC, a construction company, and Senior Managing Partner with Phax Group LLC, a real estate development company that owns and manages multiple properties throughout Mercer County, NJ.
Mr. Syphax was educated in the Trenton public school system and received his diploma in 1980. He later attended Mercer County Vocational Technical School. He has spent his 20yr career in business as a strong advocate for ending mass incarceration for non-violent offenders by using proper re-entry tools and entrepreneurship.
C.J. Meenan is an entrepreneur and educator with over 30 years’ experience teaching entrepreneurship and starting small businesses. He holds an MBA from Babson College and is a leader in entrepreneurial education specializing in curriculum design for individuals as well as groups. He has designed entrepreneurship programs at all levels from elementary to adult learners. C.J. is certified in Driving Economic Growth through Entrepreneurship Ecosystems through Babson Executive Education and is also a certified internal corporate coach.
C.J. co-founded The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) in 1987, and through NFTE he helped develop curriculum and launch an entrepreneurship training program that's been implemented at high schools and universities around the world. During his career at NFTE he personally trained 5,000+ teens and 1,500+ adults in the principles of entrepreneurship. In recognition of his work in this field he received the Price Babson Fellowship for Entrepreneurship Educators.
July 25, 2019John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620
info@aaccnj.com
www.aaccnj.com
July 25, 2019
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey provides
NJ-Kids4Coding Program in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb for Trenton Public School Students
TRENTON, NJ. – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb, Change Church and the Trenton Housing Authority is pleased to launch a comprehensive Saturday Academy, STEM education program titled NJ-Kids4Coding. STEM instructors will partner to teach, and test up-to 60 students on coding applications and ways to apply their new talents in today’s workplace. The Saturday sessions began on July 13th and will conclude on August 17th.
NJ-Kids4Coding will teach 9-12 year old students how to code and prepare students to excel in computer science. The participating students will be in four cohorts of 15 students each 9-10 years old and 11-12 years old. Saturday sessions are conducted at Change Church in Ewing, NJ. The students will experience 90 minutes of intense instruction on the latest techniques to improve their understanding and proficiency in Coding and Game Design.
NJ-Kids4Coding will begin with a basic introduction to coding using simple math and design concepts, through fun and challenging ways. Engineering concepts are taught through hands on learning. The program will advance to future workshops that will include: Java Programming, Game Design, Emergent Computer Technology, and Web Design. Three years ago, fewer than half of all middle and high school students in Trenton qualified for AP courses. These courses are essential for students seeking careers in computer science, biotechnology, healthcare, and manufacturing ─ better known as STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) related industries. STEM education has become a pivotal bridge between knowledge and career opportunities for most aspiring student entrepreneurs. Unfortunately many budding business owners, scientists, IT technicians, and engineers will never journey to receive the proper training because they lack the advanced learning skills often needed to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Kids4Coding will measure success by:
"We are pleased to support the NJ-Kids4Coding program, which focuses on Trenton students who are budding entrepreneurs by teaching skills pertinent to students aspiring to STEM-related careers," said Carrie Fernandez, Community Affairs Lead, Bristol-Myers Squibb. " Bristol-Myers Squibb's community giving program prioritizes STEM programs because we know it’s critical to prepare all future leaders for careers in healthcare, biotechnology, and other related fields. Carrie L. Fernandez
“As a vanguard for the 1.1 million African American residents and over 80,000 businesses it is important that we position our constituency for optimal success while consequently strengthening the competitiveness of New Jersey. Moreover, we seek to leverage these technological applications to better position our young people for future success. “ John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM.
"We are excited to be able to partner with The African American Chamber of Commerce to host this Summer Coding and Gaming Program for the youth in our communities. As Lead Pastor of Change Church, our goal for the past 14 years of existence has been to partner with local agencies who are doing great work and collaborate to help bring life change experiences. I recently taught a message to our congregation and shared one major key to extraordinary living is mentorship because it provides exposure. A program like this is exposing youth ages 9-12 to opportunities where they can turn normal daily actives (playing video games) into a potential career that can change their futures forever. We look forward to hosting this program and others like it at our churches as often as possible." Dr. Dharius Daniels
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620
info@aaccnj.com
www.aaccnj.com
July 25, 2019
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey provides
NJ-Kids4Coding Program in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb for Trenton Public School Students
TRENTON, NJ. – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb, Change Church and the Trenton Housing Authority is pleased to launch a comprehensive Saturday Academy, STEM education program titled NJ-Kids4Coding. STEM instructors will partner to teach, and test up-to 60 students on coding applications and ways to apply their new talents in today’s workplace. The Saturday sessions began on July 13th and will conclude on August 17th.
NJ-Kids4Coding will teach 9-12 year old students how to code and prepare students to excel in computer science. The participating students will be in four cohorts of 15 students each 9-10 years old and 11-12 years old. Saturday sessions are conducted at Change Church in Ewing, NJ. The students will experience 90 minutes of intense instruction on the latest techniques to improve their understanding and proficiency in Coding and Game Design.
NJ-Kids4Coding will begin with a basic introduction to coding using simple math and design concepts, through fun and challenging ways. Engineering concepts are taught through hands on learning. The program will advance to future workshops that will include: Java Programming, Game Design, Emergent Computer Technology, and Web Design. Three years ago, fewer than half of all middle and high school students in Trenton qualified for AP courses. These courses are essential for students seeking careers in computer science, biotechnology, healthcare, and manufacturing ─ better known as STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) related industries. STEM education has become a pivotal bridge between knowledge and career opportunities for most aspiring student entrepreneurs. Unfortunately many budding business owners, scientists, IT technicians, and engineers will never journey to receive the proper training because they lack the advanced learning skills often needed to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Kids4Coding will measure success by:
- Student improvement in math skills, level of work comprehension and implementation of coding applications
- How students view their future career choices
- Coding and Math Understanding: Implement coding curriculum, containing math. Evaluate student understanding and provide pre and post assessments to measure performance. Observe material comprehension and awareness of coding principles to see what areas of learning need improvement.
- Teamwork – Focus interaction with Class Participants
- Practical Application: Measure coding comprehension and demonstration of activities derived from educational workshops. Outcomes include: Students display high level of confidence in material understanding, math skills, class participation, ability to develop new programs, applications, and/or games.
- Program Completion: Achieve 100% completion and evaluate students on curriculum comprehension, implementation of technical and practical coding uses, and understanding of business and entrepreneur principles. Test individual students and assess increased math and language skills.
"We are pleased to support the NJ-Kids4Coding program, which focuses on Trenton students who are budding entrepreneurs by teaching skills pertinent to students aspiring to STEM-related careers," said Carrie Fernandez, Community Affairs Lead, Bristol-Myers Squibb. " Bristol-Myers Squibb's community giving program prioritizes STEM programs because we know it’s critical to prepare all future leaders for careers in healthcare, biotechnology, and other related fields. Carrie L. Fernandez
“As a vanguard for the 1.1 million African American residents and over 80,000 businesses it is important that we position our constituency for optimal success while consequently strengthening the competitiveness of New Jersey. Moreover, we seek to leverage these technological applications to better position our young people for future success. “ John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM.
"We are excited to be able to partner with The African American Chamber of Commerce to host this Summer Coding and Gaming Program for the youth in our communities. As Lead Pastor of Change Church, our goal for the past 14 years of existence has been to partner with local agencies who are doing great work and collaborate to help bring life change experiences. I recently taught a message to our congregation and shared one major key to extraordinary living is mentorship because it provides exposure. A program like this is exposing youth ages 9-12 to opportunities where they can turn normal daily actives (playing video games) into a potential career that can change their futures forever. We look forward to hosting this program and others like it at our churches as often as possible." Dr. Dharius Daniels
June 19, 2019
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
609-571-1620 – info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
Author:
Erin Grugan (609) 777-3083, ext. 2062
egrugan@tesu.edu
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY PARTNERS WITH
THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY TO REDUCE TUITION FOR MEMBERS
TRENTON – Thomas Edison State University and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey announce a partnership that will allow chamber employees, members, and employees of member corporations to earn industry-valued degrees at New Jersey’s premier University for adult higher education.
The newly signed partnership allows the approximately 250 members of the chamber to enroll in the university’s over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs with a 5 percent tuition reduction at the university.
“We are pleased to partner with the AACCNJ to provide these educational opportunities that are valued by the business community,” said Dr. Dennis Devery, vice president of Enrollment Management for the university. “Reduced cost to improve access to accredited programs for adults helps fulfill the university’s mission as well as the mission of the chamber to further the success of its members throughout the community.”
The partnership is part of a state-wide initiative for Thomas Edison State University to connect directly with chambers to better serve the business community as an education provider for employees seeking assistance with degree completion, advanced degree obtainment, and certifications for career advancement.
The AACCNJ is dedicated to the economic empowerment and sustainability of African American communities throughout New Jersey, offering programs and resources for entrepreneurship and capitalistic initiatives.
AACCNJ Founder, President, and CEO John E. Harmon, Sr. is currently seeking his master’s degree from Thomas Edison State University (TESU) and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Farleigh Dickinson University. Harmon previously served as the President and CEO of the Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce (MTAACC).
“Our mission is all about positioning and securing access to critical resources which contribute to individual and business success,” Harmon said. “This alliance with Thomas Edison State University enables the AACCNJ to expose its members to an organization that can contribute to our value proposition through education.”
For more information, please call Thomas Edison State University’s Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services at (609) 777-5680.
# # #
ABOUT THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY Thomas Edison State University provides distinctive undergraduate and graduate education for self-directed adults through flexible, high-quality collegiate learning and assessment opportunities. One of New Jersey’s senior public institutions of higher education, the University offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Students earn degrees through a wide variety of rigorous and high-quality academic methods that can be customized to meet their individual needs. Identified by The New York Times as “the college that paved the way for flexibility,” The University is a national leader in the assessment of adult learning and a pioneer in the use of educational technologies. The University is home to The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy and the New Jersey State Library is an affiliate. To learn more, visit www.tesu.edu or email admissions@tesu.edu.
March 20, 2019
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620 info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces Three Star Accreditation.
Trenton, NJ - The United States Chamber of Commerce awarded the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) with three star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. The Chamber joins the top 3 percent of all chambers in the nation who are Accredited as both the only accredited Chamber in New Jersey and the only African American Chamber in the US Chamber of Commerce federation to hold this distinction.
With approximately 7,000 chambers in the U.S., Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by Accredited state and local chambers of commerce.
"This accreditation is a testament to the talent that exists within our Staff and Board of Directors, and our commitment to excellence and advancing the mission of our organization, moreover we are determined to push back on adverse perceptions, both within NJ and across the country about blacks and our ability to add value to the free enterprise system in America. We are extremely proud of the partnerships that we have forged with NJ corporations, Republican and Democratic state legislators, county and municipal governments and the Murphy administration to achieve all that we have accomplished to date", John E. Harmon, Sr.
Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement.
The AACCNJ received Special Recognition in the following areas:
"Each day, chambers of commerce are working hard to put the American dream within reach of every hardworking business owner" said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. "The Accreditation designation tells chamber members as well as the greater business community, this is an organization that has effective programs, sound finances, and is a strong advocate for their interests."
The only program of its kind in the country, U.S. Chamber accreditation recognizes excellence in chamber planning and performance.
In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.
Washington, DC, March 19, 2019. "Congratulations to the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. NBCC Board Member John Harmon is leading the way."
Harry C. Alford, President & CEO, National Black Chamber of Commerce.W
Click this link for the US Chamber of Commerce March 19th Press Release:
https://www.uschamber.com/press-release/us-chamber-awards-five-local-chambers-accreditation-0
About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) Inc., was established in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, B2B (business-to-business) organization located in Trenton, New Jersey. With more than 700 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 education attainment. The Chamber serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and strategic implementation of initiatives and resolutions that help build New Jersey's economic landscape. To date, the AACCNJ has advocated on behalf of its members on several capital development and procurement projects to insure inclusion. The AACCNJ is a conduit to:
The AACCNJ has strategically aligned itself with the state's top financial institutions, business leaders, associations, and workforce partners including: Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, Investors Bank, NJCPA, Withum, Smith, Brown Accounting, NJ Bankers Association, the State New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Statewide Hispanic of Chamber of Commerce, NJBIA, NJ Economic Development Authority, New Chamber State Chamber of Commerce, NJ Department of Labor Workforce and Development. New Jersey's WIB's, National Organization on Disability, Department of Community Affairs, Department of Transportation, Small Business Development Center and Small Business Administration, and finally, the School Development Authority, to advocate for economic development, training, workforce development, and public policy.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
jharmon@aaccnj.com
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
609-571-1620 info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces Three Star Accreditation.
Trenton, NJ - The United States Chamber of Commerce awarded the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) with three star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. The Chamber joins the top 3 percent of all chambers in the nation who are Accredited as both the only accredited Chamber in New Jersey and the only African American Chamber in the US Chamber of Commerce federation to hold this distinction.
With approximately 7,000 chambers in the U.S., Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by Accredited state and local chambers of commerce.
"This accreditation is a testament to the talent that exists within our Staff and Board of Directors, and our commitment to excellence and advancing the mission of our organization, moreover we are determined to push back on adverse perceptions, both within NJ and across the country about blacks and our ability to add value to the free enterprise system in America. We are extremely proud of the partnerships that we have forged with NJ corporations, Republican and Democratic state legislators, county and municipal governments and the Murphy administration to achieve all that we have accomplished to date", John E. Harmon, Sr.
Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement.
The AACCNJ received Special Recognition in the following areas:
- The chamber is recognized for its continued involvement with Institute for Organization
- The chamber is recognized for its Executive Level and Staff Development Training Series as well as its Business Forums, and multiple visits with lawmakers to discuss the needs of the business community.
- The chamber achieved a perfect score in the Facilities section.
"Each day, chambers of commerce are working hard to put the American dream within reach of every hardworking business owner" said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. "The Accreditation designation tells chamber members as well as the greater business community, this is an organization that has effective programs, sound finances, and is a strong advocate for their interests."
The only program of its kind in the country, U.S. Chamber accreditation recognizes excellence in chamber planning and performance.
In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.
Washington, DC, March 19, 2019. "Congratulations to the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. NBCC Board Member John Harmon is leading the way."
Harry C. Alford, President & CEO, National Black Chamber of Commerce.W
Click this link for the US Chamber of Commerce March 19th Press Release:
https://www.uschamber.com/press-release/us-chamber-awards-five-local-chambers-accreditation-0
About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) Inc., was established in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, B2B (business-to-business) organization located in Trenton, New Jersey. With more than 700 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 education attainment. The Chamber serves as a mechanism for communication, program creation, and strategic implementation of initiatives and resolutions that help build New Jersey's economic landscape. To date, the AACCNJ has advocated on behalf of its members on several capital development and procurement projects to insure inclusion. The AACCNJ is a conduit to:
- Bridging gaps between the under-performing populations in New Jersey and a vital resource to initiating dialogue leading to strategies that address the state's overall competitiveness
- An open line of communication with state and local government officials, and supplier
- Workforce and development training, job-readiness programs and recruitment services
- Free enterprise activity for Women, Veteran and Minority-owned business
- Access to resources in making statewide businesses visible in key markets
- Youth mentorship and entrepreneurial programs
The AACCNJ has strategically aligned itself with the state's top financial institutions, business leaders, associations, and workforce partners including: Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, Investors Bank, NJCPA, Withum, Smith, Brown Accounting, NJ Bankers Association, the State New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Statewide Hispanic of Chamber of Commerce, NJBIA, NJ Economic Development Authority, New Chamber State Chamber of Commerce, NJ Department of Labor Workforce and Development. New Jersey's WIB's, National Organization on Disability, Department of Community Affairs, Department of Transportation, Small Business Development Center and Small Business Administration, and finally, the School Development Authority, to advocate for economic development, training, workforce development, and public policy.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
Ali Ehrlich, IOM, CAE
Director of Operations | Political Affairs & Federation Relations | U.S. Chamber of Commerce
and John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM,
USCC Committee of 100 Annual Conference
March 2019
Director of Operations | Political Affairs & Federation Relations | U.S. Chamber of Commerce
and John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM,
USCC Committee of 100 Annual Conference
March 2019
2018 PRESS releases
March 8, 2018
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
Former Chairman, National Black Chamber of Commerce
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 0868
609-571- 1620 info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM,
named among ROI-NJ Power List 2018 Influencers
John Harmon named to the Associations Power List 2018 most influential, ROI Influencers.
Trenton, NJ March 8, 2018, John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), has been selected for Return on Information-New Jersey (ROI-NJ) 2018 Power List of Influencers. The list was featured in the Monday, February 26th, 2018 edition of ROI-NJ.
Excerpt from publication: “Harmon connects the small business owner to some of the key players in the business and political worlds of New Jersey. He has also boosted the membership of the AACCNJ and its visibility. The Chamber’s events attracts some of the largest companies in the country interested in diversifying their vendor contracts – a key issue for the Chamber”.
Harmon is also a Board member of the NJ Chamber of Commerce (NJCC), where 16 of his fellow Board members were also named to ROI-NJ Newspapers Top Influencers List, including Tom Bracken, NJCC, CEO and President. Board Members were named in the Top 25, Banks, Top Executives, Health Care, Real Estate, Government Affairs, Higher Education, Technology, and Associations Power Lists.
To read an online copy visit this link: http://www.roi-nj.com/2018/02/26/opinion/roi- nj-reveals- roi-influencers-power-list- 2018/
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.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
Former Chairman, National Black Chamber of Commerce
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 0868
609-571- 1620 info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM,
named among ROI-NJ Power List 2018 Influencers
John Harmon named to the Associations Power List 2018 most influential, ROI Influencers.
Trenton, NJ March 8, 2018, John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), has been selected for Return on Information-New Jersey (ROI-NJ) 2018 Power List of Influencers. The list was featured in the Monday, February 26th, 2018 edition of ROI-NJ.
Excerpt from publication: “Harmon connects the small business owner to some of the key players in the business and political worlds of New Jersey. He has also boosted the membership of the AACCNJ and its visibility. The Chamber’s events attracts some of the largest companies in the country interested in diversifying their vendor contracts – a key issue for the Chamber”.
Harmon is also a Board member of the NJ Chamber of Commerce (NJCC), where 16 of his fellow Board members were also named to ROI-NJ Newspapers Top Influencers List, including Tom Bracken, NJCC, CEO and President. Board Members were named in the Top 25, Banks, Top Executives, Health Care, Real Estate, Government Affairs, Higher Education, Technology, and Associations Power Lists.
To read an online copy visit this link: http://www.roi-nj.com/2018/02/26/opinion/roi- nj-reveals- roi-influencers-power-list- 2018/
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.
March 5, 2018
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
Former Chairman, National Black Chamber of Commerce
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 0868
609-571-1620 info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, was selected to participate in prestigious Department of Defense Program hosted by the Secretary of Defense.
John Harmon among Select Group Chosen to Engage with Senior Military Officials and Private Sector Business and Community Executives for the Secretary of Defense’s 2018 Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC 88).
Trenton, NJ, March 5, 2018, John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President & CEO, AACCN, has been selected as a participant in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) hosted by the Secretary of Defense. The JCOC program is the oldest and most prestigious public liaison program in the Department of Defense. Harmon was selected as one of 40 individuals (out of 230 applicants) to attend this prestigious event. In addition, Harmon is the only attendee from the State of New Jersey.
As a JCOC participant, Harmon will spend several intense days from June 10-16, 2018 at military installations, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. Service members. In addition to participating in tactical training exercises, he will gain a better understanding of the roles and mission of the U.S. Armed Forces; their skills, capabilities, and equipment employed in defense of our nation.
The JCOC program is directly linked to the Department of Defense’s new initiative, This Is Your Military. The goal of this initiative is to educate and accurately inform the American public on the military's relevance, innovativeness and how it is a force for good. It also seeks to introduce the American public to those who currently serve, and dispel common misperceptions about the military.
“I am truly humbled to be selected as a participant in the Public Liaison Program to gain insight of the level of service and professionalism provided members of the US Defense Department on behalf of all US Citizens and our allies. What an incredible honor, one that I will cherish for life.” John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM.
The objective of the JCOC public liaison program is to help bridge the growing military-civilian divide by:
To find out more about the program, please visit the program website: http://jcoc.osd.mil
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.
John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
Former Chairman, National Black Chamber of Commerce
379 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 0868
609-571-1620 info@aaccnj.com www.aaccnj.com
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, was selected to participate in prestigious Department of Defense Program hosted by the Secretary of Defense.
John Harmon among Select Group Chosen to Engage with Senior Military Officials and Private Sector Business and Community Executives for the Secretary of Defense’s 2018 Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC 88).
Trenton, NJ, March 5, 2018, John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President & CEO, AACCN, has been selected as a participant in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) hosted by the Secretary of Defense. The JCOC program is the oldest and most prestigious public liaison program in the Department of Defense. Harmon was selected as one of 40 individuals (out of 230 applicants) to attend this prestigious event. In addition, Harmon is the only attendee from the State of New Jersey.
As a JCOC participant, Harmon will spend several intense days from June 10-16, 2018 at military installations, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. Service members. In addition to participating in tactical training exercises, he will gain a better understanding of the roles and mission of the U.S. Armed Forces; their skills, capabilities, and equipment employed in defense of our nation.
The JCOC program is directly linked to the Department of Defense’s new initiative, This Is Your Military. The goal of this initiative is to educate and accurately inform the American public on the military's relevance, innovativeness and how it is a force for good. It also seeks to introduce the American public to those who currently serve, and dispel common misperceptions about the military.
“I am truly humbled to be selected as a participant in the Public Liaison Program to gain insight of the level of service and professionalism provided members of the US Defense Department on behalf of all US Citizens and our allies. What an incredible honor, one that I will cherish for life.” John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM.
The objective of the JCOC public liaison program is to help bridge the growing military-civilian divide by:
- Educating and informing participants about the strength and readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces through personal observation of Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard operations.
- Providing a better understanding of the rewards of military service.
- Providing the American public opportunities to obtain a better understanding of national defense policies and programs through the eyes of opinion leaders who have spent time with their military.
To find out more about the program, please visit the program website: http://jcoc.osd.mil
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.
