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Mercer County Exec-elect Dan Benson Transition Team introduces the 17 transition committees

MERCER COUNTY, N.J. — Following his recent election as Mercer County Executive, on Feb. 22 the Benson Transition Team released a 49-page report that contains recommendations from their 17 transition committees.

“Building a better future demands bold action. With the Transition Team’s unique insights, we have developed a bold and comprehensive set of goals for our administration. I look forward to turning this vision into action,” said County Executive Dan Benson.

“This was a thorough process of coordinating efforts across 17 teams and assessing hundreds of detailed and thoughtful recommendations,” said Transition Co-Chair Sharon Shinkle Gardner.

“We’re so proud of the hard work and passion that our members brought to their transition committees — it is reflected in the quality of the report,” Transition Co-Chair Jeannine Frisby LaRue said.

The Transition Team was tasked by County Executive Dan Benson with evaluating the wide range of responsibilities of Mercer County government and offering recommendations for the new administration. It was made up of a diverse group of more than 100 Mercer County residents. Each committee brought together voices from across the county to help explore a key piece of government and provide their perspectives on how to move Mercer forward.

County Executive Benson continued, “I am grateful to have a Transition Team that is so dedicated to our community and our shared values. We have already begun to implement a number of our report’s suggestions and are excited for the road map it provides for our first term.”

The full transition report can be found at BensonTransition.com.

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The AACCNJ calls for an immediate moratorium on all public non-emergency public procurement contracts for up to $5M 

TRENTON, N.J. —  The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) seeks the support of the Murphy Administration, NJ State Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari, Assemblyman and Speaker, Craig J. Coughlin, and NJ State Representative, and NJ Legislative Black Caucus Chair, Shavonda E. Sumter, in its request for a moratorium and on all non-emergency public procurement contracts up to five million effective immediately.

 

The AACCNJ formed a task force to spearhead the next steps with the Murphy Administration as a result of the findings of the State’s commissioned study, conducted by Mason Tillman Associates, LTD, which documented the institutional discrimination to African American businesses in NJ. The body of the Task Force believes that the moratorium is important because there are still opportunities that will be presented by the Murphy administration to consider but without an immediate moratorium, the same outcome will occur for those that have benefitted in the past.

 

“The moratorium will be a precursor to finding a remedy to the gross harm done to Black businesses in the state procurement process,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.

 

“We believe this can be done without legislative approval. Contracts are still being doled out as we wait for the next steps. It is business as usual; this step is necessary; and past practices may be accelerated in anticipation of new standards to level the playing field,” said Harmon.

 

The task force is co-chaired by Dr. Denise Anderson, Denise Anderson and Associates and Ferlanda Nixon, Esq., Chief of Public Policy & External Affairs, AACCNJ. Committee Members include John E. Harmon, Sr., President CEO, AACCNJ, Gary Mann, Chairman of the Board, AACCNJ, Tammeisha Smith, Vice Chair of the Board, Stan Prater, Senior Advisor to AACCNJ President & CEO, Tanya Freeman, Esq, Chair of the Board, NY State Black Business Alliance (NYSBBA), Robert Johnson, Esq., Secretary, AACCNJ, Board of Directors, Marcus Dyer, CPA, Treasurer, AACCNJ, Board of Directors, Robert Warrington, Esq., AACCNJ Board of Directors, and Monique Nelson, Executive Chair, UWG.

 

“We anticipate more recommended best practices to ensure a more equitable participation for Black businesses in public procurement as we go forward to codify definitive goals that incentivize inclusion and cement our mutual commitment to have a stronger and more equitable economy with the Murphy administration, and public stakeholders,” said Harmon.

 

“We see the acceptance of this requested moratorium as a good faith effort to advance the state’s procurement efforts more equitably.”

 

AACCNJ Press Release:  The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) hosted a Town Hall Meeting with over three hundred in attendance. Topic: “The Fierce Urgency of Now” – A Presentation on the State’s Disparity Study on Feb. 8, 2024.

 

“As we move forward, we ask the Governor and his administration to also hold a statewide meeting, to discuss the results of the disparity study,” said Harmon.

 

“The Administration needs to establish a race and gender-based program with minority and woman-owned business utilization goals to end the discriminatory practices in its award of contracts,” said Harmon.

 

“Our mutual goal henceforth is to have a more equitable participation in every area of the public sector wherein economic opportunities exist.”

 

“The Study, as expected, revealed that African American businesses received little of the $ 18.5 billion the Murphy administration spent on contracts for construction, professional services and goods and services from 2015 to 2020,” said John E. Harmon, Sr.

 

“While expecting the worst, little did we know that the Study would document African Americans received less than one (1) percent of the $18.5 billion dollars the State awarded to contractors. African American businesses received a pittance despite the fact that we represent, 14 percent of the population, and over 10 percent of the businesses in New Jersey willing and able to contract with the State.”

 

For updates on events and actions related to the recent Disparity Study, please visit aaccnj.com.

 

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 proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

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NJ’s Project Labor Agreements discriminate against minority businesses and workers

By John E. Harmon Sr.
For USA Today

— In 2024, during Black History Month, the African American Chamber of Commerce is shining a spotlight on the racial disparities in New Jersey’s government procurement process.

New Jersey Statehouse rotunda. — Credits: Danielle P.

 

Recently, the Murphy Administration released a study that showed a “statistically significant disparity” when it comes to public contracts awarded to minority businesses.

 

In fact, according to the study, minority — African American businesses received less than half of 1% of $18.5 billion dollars the state awarded to contractors. A prime example of the disparity: Minority owned businesses represented 9.19% of the available construction businesses but received only 0.14% of the dollars on construction contracts valued from $65,000 to $5,710,000.

 

New Jersey has to fix its Project Labor Agreement policy

The release of the data contained in the Disparity Study helps to move stakeholders and the administration forward to find solutions. However, significant obstacles remain in the fairness of the state procurement process for minority- and women-owned businesses; the state’s Project Labor Agreement, or PLA, requirements, which inherently discriminate against non-union enterprises.

 

Since 2002, the State of New Jersey has allowed discriminatory PLAs to be placed on any public works contract over $5 million. PLAs discriminate against workers who are non-union, which is more than 78% of the construction workforce in the state. And an overwhelming 98% of all African American and Hispanic construction companies are non-union. Furthermore, at $5 million, New Jersey has the lowest threshold for PLAs for state works of any state in the country, meaning there are fewer and less lucrative projects for non-union and minority firms to bid on.

 

PLAs also come at a huge cost to New Jersey taxpayers. The most recent study conducted by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development found that PLA projects costs were 30.5% higher than all non-PLA projects and they had a longer duration by approximately 22 weeks. Over 10 years have passed since this study was prepared, and not a single body or association has refuted the analyses and conclusions.

 

Unfortunately, some unions are pressuring local towns, such as Parsippany, Montclair and Brick, into passing ordinances to require PLAs on all public works projects in their municipalities and school districts. These ordinances are being passed with little input or knowledge to taxpayers, who will ultimately pay for artificially inflated construction costs contained in the PLAs. Despite false assurances from union officials with a vested interest in these discriminatory schemes, PLAs have been proven to be an expensive and deceptive practice that hurt taxpayers and discriminate against local and minority workers.

 

For example, last April, the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division ruled that the Delaware Joint Toll Bridge Commission “violated its fiduciary and legal duties” because it required a PLA for its project that resulted in just one bid at $69 million, or roughly 20% more than the estimated project cost. This is just one instance that shows how PLAs exclude qualified contractors and raise costs considerably for taxpayers.

New Jersey policy cannot discriminate a majority of its workers

If the Legislature is looking for solutions, they need to search no further. To ensure more of our public works contracts are afforded to minority- and women-owned businesses, New Jersey needs to increase the threshold from $5 million to $35 million so that our state is in alignment with the federal contracting levels as recently stipulated by President Joe Biden. The current PLA requirements discriminate against the majority of New Jersey’s workers and only benefits the union special interests.

 

Ensuring that taxpayer-funded construction projects are open to all workers who are paying for these projects with their own tax dollars is what is fair and equitable. Equal access to public works projects is the only way to ensure fair and equitable change for our state’s minority- and women-owned construction businesses.

 

 

— John E. Harmon Sr., IOM, founder, president and chief executive officer, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

 

— Special to the USA TODAY Network

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Why ‘From Hilde, With Love’ director made Nazi-era Berlin seem almost ‘Normal:’ ‘I wanted to bring it closer to our reality’

When Laila Stieler’s script for “From Hilde, With Love,” which world premiered Saturday in competition at the Berlinale, first came to director Andreas Dresen he was a little reluctant to take the project on.

 

The issue was not the script but the subject-matter: set in Nazi-era Berlin, “From Hilde, With Love” is a love story about two real life members of the pro-Communist, German resistance movement known as the Red Orchestra, Hilde and Hans Coppi.

 

More than 50 members of the group were guillotined in Berlin’s Plötzensee Prison between 1942 and 1943, including the Coppis. Hilde gave birth to her son in prison. He is alive today and was consulted about the production.

 

“I was a little bit afraid of doing these films about Nazi times, because it’s always in sepia colors, you know, very historical, very artificial always, and this is not the style of cinema I like,” he tells Variety.

 

“But when I read [the script], with that wonderful character [Hilde], I immediately fell in love with that woman because she’s so humble, so shy, and she would never have called herself a resistance fighter. It just would not have been possible for her. She just followed her heart, and that’s what I really liked about [the story].”

 

The film, which is being sold by Beta Cinema and is produced by Claudia Steffen and Christoph Friedel for Pandora Film, stars “Babylon Berlin” breakout Liv Lisa Fries and Johannes Hegemann.

 

One aspect of the production is the absence of the usual cliches of the Nazi period: There are no swastikas, the Gestapo officers wear suits, not black leather coats, and nobody has a dueling scar.

 

All of this was intentional. “I was bit afraid of these iconic statements about those times. The intention was to not give that story a kind of historical ambience. I wanted to free it from history and to bring it closer to our reality,” Dresen says.

 

The intention, he says, was to make everything seem almost “normal.” Before they are caught, life for Hans, Hilde and their friends seems light-hearted and almost fun: they drink, they picnic, they dance, they swim and make love.

 

One reason for this was that Dresen grew up in Communist East Germany where the Coppis and other members of the resistance were depicted as larger-than-life heroes. “They were so brave, everything they did was so fine, and so I found myself feeling so small in front of them, and I always thought: ‘Oh, I could never be so brave as they were and I’m such a small person,’ and I think behind that is a kind of political intention. And that was that if you don’t compare yourself to people like that, then you don’t allow yourself to step into any kind of resistance. And in East Germany, of course, it was the intention to prevent us from doing anything against the system.”

 

“And, so, my intention when we started production was to bring these people as close as possible to us, so we could feel that they could be our partners, they could be our friends. These are young people: they fall in love; they go swimming; they have sad times. Sometimes it looks like they are on their holidays. These are not 24/7 resistance fighters. Most of them are young people who have their own dreams. They want to have families. Hilda becomes a mother. That was important for me: to show these people as normal as possible.”

 

The legal process is depicted as being almost as you’d see in a democratic state. There is almost no violence shown during the interrogation, the prison guard and nurses are depicted as being as humane as they could be in the circumstances, there is little histrionics at the trial, evidence is presented calmly, a defense attorney is present, and the judge gives Hilde an opportunity to exonerate herself by accusing others, but when asked why she conspired against the state, she simply replies: “Because I loved my husband.”

 

“Even the Nazi part in the film, they are in a way normal people. They don’t shout, they don’t hit, except one moment. We don’t have these marching soldiers. I think the system could look friendly, but at the end it’s as dangerous as it was, even if the people are friendly, because they are opportunists. It’s not necessary to be very loud. ‘We are following the rules of the system. We do everything we can to be friendly.’ But at the end is the guillotine.”

 

“And, so, I wanted to show this part of history as close as possible to our reality and that we can compare ourselves to people like Hilde and Hans, on the one side, and on the other side, to the Nazis. So you can choose: On which side would I have been if I had lived there? And I think maybe even in our times, it is important to decide.”

 

 

Read More

 

— Variety

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Mercer County Park Commission announces summer nature camps

HAMILTON, N.J. — The Mercer County Park Commission hosts thrilling and educational summer nature camps for children ages 7 to 15 years.

With activities like fishing, trail exploration, and nature games, these camps are designed for children who love to explore nature or want to build their experiences in the great outdoors.

All camps are licensed with the State of New Jersey and are led by our full-time Naturalist Educators. Offered in three of our county parks, summer nature camps highlight the full scope of unique wildlife and outdoor experiences that Mercer County has to offer.

Aquatic Adventure Camp for Anglers

For campers ages 10 to 12 and will take place on Mercer Lake. Campers will on build their fishing skills by choosing the right bait, identifying fish, and finding habitats along the lake for the most success. Only offered from June 24 to June 28! 

Aquatic Adventure Camp for Kayakers

Campers ages 13 to 15 will have exclusive access to explore plant and animal life along Mercer Lake’s shoreline, creeks, and hidden coves by kayak. Only offered from June 24 to June 28! 

Baldpate Nature Camp

This camp is packed with hands-on nature explorations, hikes through the forest, and unstructured nature play. Activities are designed for campers to delve into topics such as birds, bugs, and butterflies and include age-appropriate activities for campers 7 to 9 years, and 10 to 12 years. Only offered July 8 to 12, and July 15 to 19.

Tulpehaking Nature Camp

This camp has campers explore the trails of the marshlands through the lens of the Lenape, who inhabited this region centuries ago and continue to view it as their homeland. Age-appropriate activities incorporating traditional Lenape Games and crafts are designed for campers 7 to 9 years, and 10 to 12 years. Only offered July 29 to Aug. 2, and Aug. 5 to 9.

Register now. Camps fill quickly. See How to Register below for more information on how to claim your child’s spot in camp.

How to register:

Registration and payment must be completed online at https://register.communitypass.net/mercer. Camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and spots are limited. Only complete applications will be processed. Make sure you have the following information before registering: child’s medical information (including physician and health insurance information, emergency contact etc.), immunization record, and full payment.

Click here for our full Nature Camp brochure with program dates and details or call (609) 888-3218 ext. 205.

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The AACCNJ hosts  town hall meeting with over 200 in attendance — Topic: ‘The Fierce Urgency of Now’

TRENTON, N.J. —  The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) hosted a town hall on Feb. 7 , from 3 to 6 p.m., with over two hundred in attendance at the Crowne Plaza Princeton, Conference Center in East Windsor, N.J.

 

The meeting was convened to provide an open forum for discussion and included a presentation on the State’s newly released Disparity Study, conducted by Mason Tillman Associates, LTD.

 

The Presentation was led by Dr. Denise Anderson, Founder & CEO, Denise Anderson & Associates (DA&A) LLC, and moderated by John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ, and included a lengthy Q&A session with the audience, which consisted of AACCNJ members, and stakeholders, elected officials, representatives from the state government, and Chambers of Commerce.

 

The State’s commissioned study documented institutional discrimination to African American businesses in NJ.  Dr. Denise Anderson received a positive response to her statement “Disparities need to be addressed between Blacks and Whites and within minority groups. We need specific solutions for different populations based on the data and their needs. Regardless of how we are classified – lumping us as “minority” does not make us monolithic.”

 

Dr. Anderson’s presentation was met with a standing ovation at the conclusion.  Dr. Anderson also quoted Frederick Douglass and James Baldwin in her presentation, quotes that resonated with the audience.

 

“Each day the AACCNJ and its members continue to fight what Dr. King called the ‘soft bigotry of low expectations,’ and we prove time and time again, that when the opportunity presents itself, we are ready,” said John E. Harmon, Sr.

 

Harmon set forth a call to action to those in attendance, to reach out to their local and state elected officials to voice their concerns, and to let them know they were in attendance.  CEO Harmon fielded more than two dozen questions during the audience Q& A segment.

 

“I knew that we invited the right person to make a presentation to our constituents on the Disparity Study, Dr. Anderson’s knowledge and analysis of the data was excellent and was presented in a straightforward manner to the audience,” said Gary Mann, AACCNJ, Chairman of the Board.

 

“Tuesday marks two weeks since the state released the long-promised disparity study — one that showed all minority groups, as well as females, have received nowhere near their “fair share” of state contracts, based on their population size and their ability to do the work.

 

The 221-page report, commissioned in 2020, was filled with stunning data, including this fact: Even though Black-owned companies in the state represent 9.19% of the available construction businesses, they received only 0.14% of the dollars on construction contracts valued over $65,000 to $5.71 million. (The report estimates this potentially cost these businesses $209 million).

 

More stunning: These numbers didn’t surprise anyone, including state officials.

 

Even more stunning: The state, after releasing this report, seemingly has done little to address the issue. No focus groups, roundtable discussions, executive orders or legislative proposals have been announced.

 

After years of saying it needed a study to be able to do something, the state has not made any public announcements on how it will address the findings.”1

 

“The Study, as expected, revealed that African American businesses received little of the $ 18.5 billion the Murphy administration spent on contracts for construction, professional services and goods and services from 2015 to 2020,” said John E. Harmon, Sr.

 

“While expecting the worst, little did we know that the Study would document African Americans received less than one (1) percent of the $18.5 billion dollars the State awarded to contractors.  African American businesses received a pittance despite the fact that we represent, 14 percent of the population, and over 10 percent of the businesses in New Jersey willing and able to contract with the State.”

 

“As we move forward, we ask the Governor and his administration to also hold a statewide meeting, to discuss the results of the disparity study,” said Harmon.

 

“The Administration needs to establish a race and gender-based program with minority and woman-owned business utilization goals to end the discriminatory practices in its award of contracts,” said Harmon. “Our mutual goal henceforth is to have a more equitable participation in every area of the public sector wherein economic opportunities exist.”

 

The AACCNJ has convened a Disparity Study Task Force Committee to work with the Murphy administration to outline our engagement plan with the state and develop a strategy to address disparities and underperformance among Blacks in New Jersey.  The task force will be co-chaired by Dr. Denise Anderson, Denise Anderson and Associates and Ferlanda Nixon, Esq., Chief of Public Policy & External Affairs, AACCNJ.  Committee Members include John E. Harmon, Sr., President  CEO, AACCNJ, Gary Mann, Chairman of the Board, AACCNJ, Tammeisha Smith, Vice Chair of the Board, Stan Prater, Senior Advisor to AACCNJ President & CEO, Tanya Freeman, Esq, Chair of the Board, NY State Black Business Alliance (NYSBBA), Robert Johnson, Esq., Secretary, AACCNJ, Board of Directors, Marcus Dyer, CPA, Treasurer, AACCNJ, Board of Directors, Robert Warrington, Esq., AACCNJ Board of Directors, and Monique Nelson, Executive Chair, UWG.

 

1  https://www.roi-nj.com/2024/02/06/diversity-inclusion/2-weeks-after-release-of-shocking-disparity-study-state-seemingly-has-done-little-to-address-issue/

 

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 proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

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FCC outlaws scam robocalls like fake, AI-created voices, now state AGs have legal tools to pursue illegal robocallers 

Brian Fung / CNN:

 

 

—  The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday it is immediately outlawing scam robocalls featuring fake, artificial intelligence-created voices, cracking down on so-called “deepfake” technology that experts say could undermine election security or supercharge fraud.

The unanimous FCC vote extends anti-robocall rules to cover unsolicited AI deepfake calls by recognizing those voices as “artificial” under a federal law governing telemarketing and robocalling.

The FCC’s move gives state attorneys general more legal tools to pursue illegal robocallers that use AI-generated voices to fool Americans, the FCC said.

 

“Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement.

“We’re putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice.”

The decision to interpret the 1991 Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) more broadly to include AI-generated voices comes weeks after a fake robocall that impersonated President Joe Biden targeted thousands of New Hampshire voters and urged them not to participate in the state’s primary.

Authorities said this week they had linked those fake calls to a Texas man and two companies in an ongoing investigation that could lead to civil and criminal penalties.

In its announcement Thursday, the FCC said those who wish to send robocalls “must obtain prior express consent from the called party before making a call that utilizes artificial or prerecorded voice simulated or generated through AI technology.”

With Thursday’s change, scam robocalls featuring cloned voices would be subject to the same fines and consequences associated with illegal robocalls that do not use the technology. The FCC had announced it was considering the proposal last week.

Violations of the TCPA can carry stiff civil penalties. In 2021, the FCC announced a $5 million proposed fine against right-wing operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman for allegedly using illegal robocalls to discourage voting in the 2020 election.

The number of robocalls placed in the US peaked at around 58.5 billion in 2019, according to estimates by YouMail, a robocall blocking service. Last year, the figure was closer to 55 billion.

As the FCC updates its interpretation of federal law, some US lawmakers have proposed revising the law directly to further deter illegal robocallers. House Democrats unveiled legislation this year that would double the TCPA’s maximum penalties when a robocall violation involves the use of AI.

 

 

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— Techmeme

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The AACCNJ announces new members to its Governing Board of Directors

TRENTON, N.J. – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces new additions to its Governing Board of Directors.

 

Dr. Denise Anderson, Founder & CEO, Denise Anderson & Associates (DA&A) LLC, William Bowie, President & CEO, Empower Construction, LLC, and Deborah Frazier, Wealth Management Advisor, LRG Wealth Advisors/Hightower, joined the Board of Directors effective Jan. 1, 2024.

 

“I am honored to join the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) Governing Board,” said Dr. Denise Anderson, Founder & CEO, Denise Anderson & Associates (DA&A) LLC.

 

“Joining this esteemed group of leaders presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the economic development and success of the Black community. I look forward to collaborating with fellow board members, leveraging my expertise in the public and non-profit sectors and DEI while engaging in initiatives that will drive equitable innovation and prosperity for minority and women-owned businesses. Together, we will navigate the evolving landscape, fostering growth and resilience in our business community.”

 

“I am deeply honored to be appointed as a board member at the AACCNJ,” said William Bowie, President & CEO, Empower Construction, LLC.

 

“I see this opportunity as a platform to influence positive change, drive growth, and contribute to our collective vision. Together, we can foster an environment that promotes diversity, innovation, and mutual success.”

 

“I am truly honored to serve as a Board Member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey,” said Deborah Frazier, Wealth Management Advisor, LRG Wealth Advisors/Hightower.

 

“The commitment to economically empower and sustain African American communities and businesses aligns closely with my heartfelt beliefs. I am thrilled at the prospect of contributing to the Chamber’s mission, working towards the empowerment of Black businesses, fostering leadership development, and nurturing our communities for a prosperous future.”

 

“I am looking forward to collaborating with these accomplished individuals in my new role as the Chairman of the Board,” said Gary Mann, CEO, Jasfel Analytics.

 

“Together, with the continued guidance of AACCNJ, CEO, John E. Harmon, Sr. and former Chairman of the Board, R. Stanley Prater, we will further advance and expand revenue generating opportunities and strategic relationships for African American businesses in New Jersey and beyond.”

 

“I look forward to working with each of our new Directors to design strategies that will derive value for our members and those that invest in the mission of AACCNJ while contributing to the competitiveness of New Jersey,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President, & CEO, AACCNJ.

 

Please visit the links for more information:

https://www.aaccnj.com/board-members

https://drdeniseanderson.org/

https://www.empowerconstruct.com/

https://www.pbs.org/video/the-power-of-inspiration-and-seizing-an-opportunity-7ukkqd/

https://lrgwealthadvisors.hightoweradvisors.com/deborah-frazier.html

 

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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The AACCNJ announces Hon. Tahesha Way, Esq., NJ Lt.-Gov., Secretary of State to make opening remarks at 2024 Black History Month, Black-Tie Gala

TRENTON, N.J. — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces that the Honorable Tahesha Way, Esq., NJ Lieutenant Governor and  Secretary of State, will make opening remarks at the 14th Annual Circle of Achievement Awards Gala on Feb. 22 at the Venetian in Garfield, N.J.

 

“We are excited to have the Lieutenant Governor join us for our Black History Month Gala,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.

 

“We are at a critical juncture for our co-existence in NJ. The Lieutenant Governor’s presence is significant and appreciated as we look forward to advancing a more intentional economic agenda to improve the social economic standing of Black people in NJ. This will be a night of Excellence on full display.”

 

The AACCNJ 2024 Annual Awards Gala themed “Leading the Way” is the premier Black History Month event in the state of NJ. Each year at the black-tie affair, the AACCNJ recognizes a distinguished group of African Americans that have attained a significant level of accomplishment in business, politics, education, sports and/or entertainment. The event provides the platform, on behalf of the members of the AACCNJ and the over 88,000 Black owned businesses in the state of NJ, to continue to increase the visibility of its members and their businesses.

 

2024 Honorees:

The Honorable Benjamin Crump, Founder & Principal, Ben Crump Law; will be presented with the Presidential Award of Excellence. Brett J. Hart, President, United Airlines, and Dr. Darcella Patterson Sessomes, Chief, Division of Programs and Reintegration Services, State of New Jersey, Department of Corrections will both receive the Community Service Award. Keith D. Wright, PhD., Director, Business Diversity Operations, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Port Authority of NY&NJ will receive the Public Service Award.

 

The evening will begin with a “Black Carpet Experience” for the attendees, honorees and guests and will also include a Cocktail Reception in the Grand Ballroom and dinner, dancing, and the Awards Ceremony in the Palazzo Ballroom.

 

The 2024 Gala “Exclusive” Sponsor is Truist. Gala Gold Sponsors include Atlantic Health Center, Consolidated Edison, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Milhouse Engineering, PSEG, Provident Bank, United Airlines, Valley National Bank. Silver Sponsors include American Water, Atlantic City Electric, Atlantic Shore Winds, Citizen’s Bank, Davis EIS, JCP&L, Lakeland Bank, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), PNC and SJI.

 

More information can be found at www.aaccnj.com  https://www.aaccnj.com/gala

 

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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Fork & Good hosts first ever tasting of hybrid cultivated meat at Davos

The food startup shared its product with thought leaders and local residents at its first large-scale tasting since the launch of its pilot facility last year

 

 

DAVOS, Sz. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — On Jan. 16, heads of state, industry experts and business leaders gathered for the annual World Economic Forum conference at Davos.

 

At the same time, a smaller, though no less consequential, event took place just 10 minutes away at Sonas Irish Pub. Food startup Fork & Good conducted the city’s first blind tasting of hybrid cultivated meat to gather feedback from an eclectic group of 40 people.

 

Participants each received two small dishes distinguished by blue and yellow stickers. One contained 100% conventional pork and the other a blend of 30% cultivated and 70% conventional pork. (Willing vegetarians also had a chance to enjoy dumplings made with a blend of plant and cultivated pork).

 

“Mixing cultivated meat with conventional meat has many advantages,” said Fork & Good Chief Scientific Officer Gabor Forgacs.

 

“It helps alleviate the rising supply chain and environmental challenges meat producers face. It also allows for the gradual introduction of cultured meat through products consumers are already used to.”

 

Perhaps most importantly, it tastes just like meat — because it is 100% meat. As Fork & Good co-founders expected, participants at the blind tasting found no major difference between the two samples. An informal poll after the tasting showed more than half of the group preferred the 30/70 blend over conventional meat on its own. The group was equally split when asked to guess which dish contained cultivated meat.

 

The tasting was led by Fork & Good CEO Niya Gupta, who said, “We are aiming to serve everyone everywhere with affordable meat so it’s exciting to get input in this open and democratic way. We had everyone, from an American professor to a Swedish nonprofit worker to a Chinese student — even a regular Swiss person walking in off the street looking for a beer. Their feedback has been critical to us as we continue our product development journey.”

 

One of the participants, global data science leader Dr. Richard Kerr, said, “I wasn’t able to tell the difference between the samples, to the point that I thought it was going to be revealed that all the samples were 100% cultured. I love the idea, and will continue to follow [Fork & Good’s] progress with interest.”

 

The lunchtime tasting was a part of UnDavos, an informal entrepreneurship-focused gathering that takes place the same week as the WEF conference. Mark Turrell, founder of UnDavos and CTO of Fresh Solutions AI, invited Fork & Good to present their product at a “meal for the future” event.

 

“It was amazing to physically experience technology being integrated into our food — the food in our mouths,” Turrell said.

 

In addition to the blind tasting, Fork & Good was invited to the main WEF conference as a Technology Pioneer, one of just 100 early-stage startups developing innovative technologies to address global challenges. Gupta participated in back-to-back meetings and roundtables, including a bilateral meeting with one of the world’s largest meat producers who couldn’t tell the difference between conventional meat and Fork & Good’s hybrid cultivated meat.

 

Founded in 2018, Fork & Good launched its pilot facility in Jersey City, New Jersey. The facility is already capable of producing six to ten times more meat per square foot than is currently possible by conventional means. Fork & Good’s cultivated meat is ready for market, pending regulatory approval by the FDA and USDA.

 

ABOUT FORK AND GOOD

From its facility in Jersey City, Fork & Good is on a mission to grow the best of meat for everyone, everywhere. The company takes a novel approach to cultivating meat by growing muscle cells directly in proprietary bioreactors for maximum flavor and nutritional value—while drastically reducing the amount of land and water used in conventional livestock production. The team has 150+ years of combined experience that spans food, agriculture, and science, and is committed to helping build the industry in a safe, transparent way. Learn more at: www.forkandgood.com.

 

Contacts

Emily Bogan, Business Operations Manager

Email: hello@forkandgood.com
Phone: (201) 201-1392