FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 20, 2023
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Announces the Honorees for the 2023 “Women Who Empower” Awards Luncheon
(TRENTON, NJ – March 20, 2023) The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces the Honorees for the “Women Who Empower” 2023 Awards Luncheon. The Awards luncheon will be held on May 15th from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at The DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia, 2349 Marlton Pike West, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.
The 2023 honorees are: Tunisha Brown, CEO, Impact Magazine & Impact Brand Strategies, Ruthi Byrne, Founder & Sole Owner, Zinn Graves & Field, Inc., Rhonda Jordan, Executive VP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Virtua Health, Robin Robinson-Still, American Water/Supply Chain, Eastern & Southeast Divisions (MD, NJ, VA, KY, TN), and Camelia M. Valdes, Esq., Prosecutor, Passaic County. Wendy McSweeney, EVP, Commercial Community Bank, Diverse Segments Impact Advisor, Truist, will serve as the speaker, for an informal “fireside” conversation. The Keynote Presentation will be moderated by Faye Coleman, CEO, Pure Genesis, LLC and member of the AACCNJ Board of Directors.
“At our May 15th, Women Who Empower Awards luncheon, we will leverage our network to present to some, and introduce to others, our 2023 honorees; a group of talented and successful women that contribute to the greatness of New Jersey and the nation, every day”, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM. “The keynote presentation by Wendy McSweeney, is sure to be impactful. The work that Truist is doing to sustain and strengthen black businesses is in alignment with the mission of the AACCNJ.”
Tunisha Brown, CEO, Impact Magazine & Impact Brand Strategies
Under the leadership of Tunisha Brown, Impact magazine has grown from 75 readers to hundreds of thousands of readers daily. The talk-show version of Cocktails & Conversations which Tunisha launched in 2014 has been a tremendous success. Impact Magazines annual dinners to celebrate black women who are making an IMPACT in their respective industries and communities along with the Men of IMPACT is not just a space for the honorees to be honored, it is also a space where talks to support each other are encouraged.
“When I began IMPACT Magazine, John Harmon was one of the first supporters,” said Tunisha Brown. “He ensured I had what was needed to be successful. To be honored by the AACCNJ as one of the “Women Who Empower” is truly an amazing full circle moment.”
Ruthi Byrne, Founder & Sole Owner, Zinn Graves & Field, Inc.
Ruthi Byrne’s pivotal work on the Essex County charter battle, launched her public relations and marketing firm. Her influence remains because of her relationships, in business, and politics, and her role on 10 nonprofit boards, including Paper Mill Playhouse and Rutgers Business School. An ability to make an impact for countless others, by making introductions and bringing people together, speaks to a commitment to contributing to the overall success and competitiveness of the state of New Jersey. Ruthi also provided years of service to the citizens of NJ, as the First Lady, alongside her husband, Former Governor, Brendan Byrne.
“What a lovely opportunity to promote a more inclusive NJ work environment with both women and men”, said Ruthi Byrne, Founder, Zinn Graves & Field. “Delighted to be part of it!
Rhonda Jordan, Executive VP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Virtua Health
Rhonda Jordan’s leadership serving as Virtua’s strategic and operational leader, setting Virtua’s vision for utilizing the organization’s people resources to achieve its mission of Be Well, Get Well, and Stay Well. Rhonda’s development and execution of the people strategy, is highly regarded, for all aspects of Talent Management, Organizational Culture, Change and Development, Talent Acquisition, and Compensation and Benefits.
Robin Robinson-Still, American Water/Supply Chain Eastern & Southeast Divisions
(MD, NJ, VA, KY, TN)
Robin Robinson Still’s leadership at New Jersey American Water has significantly contributed to the award of agreements to diverse suppliers and implemented impactful process improvements to the company’s supplier diversity program.
Camelia M. Valdes, Esq., Prosecutor, Passaic County
Camelia Valdes was the first Latina County prosecutor in the State of New Jersey, the first woman prosecutor in Passaic County, and the first lead prosecutor of Dominican ancestry in the United States. As the chief law enforcement official in Passaic County, she management of a $20 million office budget and the oversight of 16 municipal police departments, the police departments of William Paterson and Montclair State Universities and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department.
"Humbled to be recognized by the AACCNJ and honored to support its ground breaking mission”, said Camelia Valdez. “Economic empowerment, financial equity and sustainable development are core AACCNJ values that benefit African American businesses and communities as a whole."
The sponsors for the 2023 “Women Who Empower” Awards Luncheon are Truist, NJMEP, South Jersey Industries, Public Service Electric and Gas, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and Atlantic City Electric.
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About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a pro-active advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.
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