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For Information Contact:
Jacqueline E. Baptiste
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Media@aaccnj.com
www.aaccnj.com
609-571-1620
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 21, 2023
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s
Inaugural Juneteenth Black Business Expo at
Montclair State University
is lauded as an enormous success!
(TRENTON, NJ – June 21, 2023) The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) inaugural Juneteenth has received accolades and has been lauded as a significant milestone on the same day as the organizations sixteen-year anniversary, June 15, 2023, at Montclair State University (MSU).
“We are extremely pleased and humbled by the level of support we received at our Inaugural Juneteenth Black Business Expo,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ. “This event was truly a presentation of Black Excellence. A special thank you to Governor Murphy, Ralph Weaver, CEO of East West Connection (EWC)s, and my Executive Assistant, Jacqueline Baptiste for their contributions in making this event something to remember for years to come!”
“Jacqueline, Ralph, and the entire Business Expo Planning Committee, thank you for executing
on the vision of our President and CEO, John Harmon, said Stan Prater, Chairman of the Board, AACCNJ.” “I thought yesterday’s event was outstanding. I talked with so many people; vendors, sponsors, guests, and the overriding theme was, “I can’t believe this is the first time the Chamber has done this, it was so well organized, I can’t wait until next year.” “All of you are to be commended for your hard work and dedication delivering on John’s vision. I cannot thank you enough.”
“It was an honor to partner with the AACCNJ on the Expo that provided an invaluable connection between Black owned companies with the private and public sector,” said Ralph Weaver of EWC. At one venue, black entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their talents with decision makers who can have a positive impact on their respective businesses. The Expo was an extension of the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to assist and advocate for Black businesses and the Black community, which is needed today more than ever.
“It has been a wonderful experience, over these past ten months, collaborating closely with Ralph Weaver, and the formidable group of professionals at EWC, and those at Black Heart Emoji, said Jacqueline E. Baptiste, Executive Assistant to Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.” “A personal thank you also to my team, for all their hard work to transform John’s vision into a reality.”
Expo special Guest Speakers include Governor Phil Murphy, Robert Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Vista Equity Partners, Austin, Rev. Dr. Steffie Bartley, Sr., Northeast Regional Director, National Action Network (NAN) Tara Dowdell, President, Tara Dowdell Group, Dr. Kimberly Holmes, Asst. Commissioner, NJ Dept. of Community Affairs, Aaron Samuels, Founder, & Managing Partner, Collide Capital, and Co-Founder of Blavity & Afro-Tech and Tim Sullivan, CEO, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), and Jonathan Koppell, President of Montclair State University.
Premiere Exhibitors included Hackensack Meridian Health, and RWJ Barnabas Health. Elite Exhibitors included Davis EIS, East West Connection, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, and Johnson & Johnson. Innovator Exhibitors included Citizens Bank, Columbia Bank, FiServ, Jefferson Health, Lakeland Bank, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, PSE&G, Soter Technologies, and United Airlines.
The 2023 Expo themed "A Legacy of Excellence" was a dynamic, educational, and collaborative event focusing on entrepreneurship, and the economic and cultural empowerment of underperforming communities. The Juneteenth Expo provided a forum to highlight African American entrepreneurs from various business sectors along with over sixty corporations, Black owned businesses, community partners and state agencies displaying their products and services in a transformed exhibit space that incorporated the history of Black Wall Street, and black entrepreneurial excellence, past, present, and future.
On May 23rd, the AACCNJ announced it had SOLD OUT all Exhibit Booths for its Inaugural
Juneteenth Black Business Expo. For the nearly 500 participants, (included attendees and exhibitors), there was a full agenda featuring four hours of 15-minute matchmaking sessions with procurement leaders from major corporations, and workshop sessions, ranging from topics such as: Targeting Municipalities for Business Opportunities, Media, Politics, Entrepreneurship & Small Businesses, Leveraging Technology to transform your Business, and Access to Capital. There was also a Business Corner, where business owners received headshots and feedback on their business profiles. Johnson & Johnson also provided a pitch contest within their exhibit booth.
The Expo was a one-stop resource for free community preventative health care for the attendees, with screenings for blood, cholesterol, glucose, stroke risk assessment and BMI, administered by Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) Care professionals. HMH featured a health workshop and a full health clinic where guests received the latest information on underlying conditions impacting African Americans.
Attendees also experienced the newest innovations and technology by Black creators, featuring AR Technology through interactive and historical exhibits on Black Excellence, past, present, and future. The AACCNJ worked with Black Heart & the Greenwood Cultural Center, in Tulsa, OK, to bring the history of Black Wall Street to the expo and connect it to the entrepreneurs of today, along with the mission of the AACCNJ and the business owners of the future.
“Art and Couture Fashion Row” featured a select number of Black owned businesses displaying
the best in Black, art, jewelry, fashion and more, including Silver & Riley, Art’s World, Covered by God, Secur by Keeley B, and Afri-Printz.
The day concluded with a cocktail reception and live entertainment by Showtyme Brooks, and the winner of the Art Submission Contest was presented with a grand prize of $1,500.00
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.
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