African American Chamber of N.J. and N.J. Chamber are Recognizing Champions of Diversity who are Truly Challenging the Status Quo

The African American Chamber Commerce of New Jersey and the N.J. Chamber of Commerce will co-host one of the most important business events of 2022 – the first-ever DE&I Trailblazer Awards reception. The Nov. 3 event will recognize New Jersey companies that are demonstrating tangible and measurable progress in the critical areas of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).

“Being ‘in support’ of diversity, equity and inclusion is not always synonymous with proactive advocacy, and cohesive company-wide implementation of measurable equity and inclusion goals,” said John E. Harmon Sr., founder, president & CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. “The inequities that exist in the marketplace were put in place with intentionality and it will take intentionality to reverse these generational impediments. If we are adamant about making an impactful difference, then we must advocate for a reimagined corporate culture of inclusivity in New Jersey and across the nation. That is the pathway to our mutual success.”

“We will honor the companies that are walking the walk,” added Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the N.J. Chamber. “We are recognizing and celebrating the champions who are meeting the challenge and challenging the status quo.”

For the past two months, the two chambers have accrued an impressive list of nominees ranging from small to large businesses that represent a wide range of industries. All of them have inspiring and uplifting stories to demonstrate how they moved diversity, equity and inclusion to the forefront of their business strategies, and the benefits they have realized as a result.

The two chambers will host the reception on Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. at the Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge to reveal the award recipients who have made progress in one or more of these key areas: access to capital; board diversity; corporate citizenship; emerging DE&I influencer; supplier diversity; and workforce diversity.

For more information on the event and to register, click here.

Nominees considered are below:

Abitronix, LLC

American Water Works

Back Thru The Future

Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc

Burns & McDonnell

Columbia Bank

Curio Wellness / Far & Dotter

Gibbons PC

Hackensack Meridian Health

HelloFresh