The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Announces Secretary of State Tahesha Way
to attend the State of Black NJ 2023 Economic Summit on April 12th.
TRENTON, NJ — March 29, 2023. The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces Secretary of State Tahesha Way will attend the State of Black New Jersey Economic Summit which will be held on April 12th, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the APA Hotel in Iselin, NJ.
The Honorable Tahesha Way, Secretary of State, will present opening remarks, at the annual AACCNJ Summit, which serves as a platform for dialogue on public policies and the economic impact on Black New Jerseyans, and Black Businesses in New Jersey as it relates to education, health, workforce readiness and attaining an equitable share of economic opportunities within the public and private sectors of our state.
“We are honored to have New Jersey’s Secretary of State join us for our 2023 State of Black NJ Summit”, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ. “Secretary Way, has a significant area of responsibilities within the Murphy administration, her participation in our event is significant and very much appreciated.”
“The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey has an important history empowering New Jersey’s Black businesses and entrepreneurs,” said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “I’m really looking forward to joining the Annual Economic Summit and discussing how the Chamber can partner with my Department of State to support and sustain economic growth in our communities.”
The Event Title Sponsor is Cure Auto Insurance. The Silver Sponsors for the 2023 Summit are Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, and Hackensack Meridian Health. AT&T is a Patron Sponsor.
You can register through the following link: Click Here
The 2023 Economic Summit is themed “Accountability, Opportunity & Equity”, and will feature three panels, moderated by John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ, Phil Woolfolk, Chief Operations Officer, AACCNJ, and Faye Coleman, CEO, Pure Genesis LLC.
Panel I Topic: Economic Development, Home Ownership, Transportation & Economic Opportunities
Among the panelists are Toni P. Brown, Chief Administrative Officer, Delaware River Port Authority Melanie R. Walter, Executive Director, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) Keith D. Wright, Sr., Ph.D., Business Diversity Operations, Director Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ)
Panel II Topic: Legislative Panel- & Public & Private Sector 2023 Opportunities:
Agenda, Goals & Progress.
Among the panelists are Dr. Kimberly K. Holmes, Assistant Commissioner, NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Eric Pennington, Business Administrator, City of Newark, Willard Stanback, Acting Director, Dept. of Housing & Economic Development, City of Trenton
Panel III Topic: The State of Cannabis in NJ and African American Cannabis Initiative
Among the panelists are Travis Ally, CEO, Good Lettuce Company, Jeff Brown, Executive Director, NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Darren Chandler, Co-Founder and President of Premium Genetics, Avonia Richardson, SVP, Chief Diversity Officer, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Hackensack Meridian Health, Wesley McWhite III, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
###
About Secretary of State, Tahesha Way
Since 2018, Tahesha Way has served as New Jersey’s 34th Secretary of State. She is New Jersey’s top election official, overseeing the state Division of Elections and its work in securing our democracy and ensuring broad, fair access to the right to vote. Ms. Way spearheads the New Jersey Ballot Bowl collegiate and high school competition and the Jersey Civic Engage initiative to further civic engagement and voter participation. In addition to this critical work, Ms. Way also oversees the state government offices supporting New Jersey’s vibrant arts, culture, history, and business communities.
Throughout her career, Secretary Way has devoted herself to public service. Secretary Way serves as President of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS).
Prior to becoming Secretary of State, she was an Administrative Law Judge for the State of New Jersey. In 2006, Secretary Way was elected to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and served as the Freeholder Director in 2009. She served as a council member for the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. Secretary Way also previously served on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, a leading national think tank geared towards advancing dialogue and policy for improving women’s lives and their families.
Secretary Way is a graduate of Brown University, where she served as Vice President of the collegiate chapter of the NAACP and President of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Ms. Way holds a juris doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law at Charlottesville.
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.
