On Saturday, July 12, Black Men Vote convened political and community leaders at its inaugural New Jersey Leadership Breakfast, a powerful gathering focused on strengthening the civic leadership and engagement of Black men across the Garden State.

The event brought together elected officials, community organizers, civic advocates, and young leaders to discuss new strategies for mobilizing Black men as informed participants in civic life, from voter education to community advocacy.

“This was more than a breakfast, it was a turning point,” said Michael Bland, Executive Director of Black Men Vote. “For the first time in New Jersey, we began building a unified, community-rooted strategy to elevate Black men’s civic participation and leadership. We’re laying the foundation for long-term impact.”

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka helped frame the significance of the moment, emphasizing the opportunity to reimagine what forward movement looks like for Black men in New Jersey. He voiced enthusiasm for Black Men Vote’s ability to help shape that future together with communities across the Garden State.

Passaic County Commissioner Rodney De Vore reflected on the uniqueness of the gathering, noting that bringing men together from across the state early on a Saturday morning demonstrated real commitment and signaled a hunger for collective purpose and leadership.

The event included presentations on the organization’s upcoming educational programming, including nonpartisan voter registration and town hall events scheduled this summer and fall.

“We’re creating space for alignment—not just around politics, but around purpose,” said Gerry Gibbs, BMV board member and founding principal at Capital Impact Group. “What we saw today was the beginning of a statewide network of Black men who are ready to lead, serve, and shape the future of civic engagement of our communities.”

The New Jersey Leadership Breakfast is part of Black Men Vote’s broader strategy to engage Black men in 11 states through education, empowerment, and community activation. The breakfast marked the kickoff of BMV’s civic engagement cycle in the state, with additional community events planned throughout the year ahead.

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About Black Men Vote

Black Men Vote is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization committed to moving Black men from the political margins to the center of American democracy. Through civic education, community-based programming, and strategic voter engagement efforts, BMV builds political power and leadership among Black men nationwide. I