Three Champions of Diversity to be Recognized for their Work on Promoting Equal Economic Opportunity in New Jersey

Three Champions of Diversity to be Recognized for their Work on Promoting Equal Economic Opportunity in New Jersey

 

The Oct. 6 Reception is the Third in a Series of ‘Equal Opportunity Receptions’ Produced this Fall by the N.J. Chamber and the African American Chamber of N.J.

 

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey are honoring “Champions of Diversity” at a cocktail reception in Somerset on Wednesday, Oct. 6. They are being recognized for their outstanding work to promote equal economic opportunity and diversity in New Jersey.

 

The honorees are Dr. Daniel Jean, assistant provost for special programs, Montclair State University; Eloise Samuels, one of the founders and president, New Jersey Orators; and Joe Roth, president & CEO NJ Sharing Network.

 

The reception will take place at The Palace at Somerset Park, Somerset, beginning at 5:30 p.m. It is the third in a series of ‘Equal Opportunity Receptions’ produced this fall by the N.J. Chamber and the African American Chamber of N.J. The series culminates with a dinner gala in Edison on Nov. 10 to celebrate diversity.

 

“These events are not just celebrations, they are part of a mission,” said John Harmon, president, CEO and founder of the African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J. “New Jersey is already one of the most diverse states in the nation. The time is now to make it the most economically inclusive state in the nation. No issue is more important to New Jersey’s economic health than creating a system where economic opportunity is available for all.”

 

The two Chambers are working together to address the economic inequities that exist for Black citizens and Black business owners in the state. They are focusing their efforts on education, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for people of color.

 

“This is a rallying call,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the N.J. Chamber of Commerce. “We must demand an end to economic inequities in New Jersey. We will challenge businesses in every corner of the state to do their part to change the status quo.”

 

Guests may register for the complimentary event here.

 

 

 

More on the Honorees

 

Dr. Daniel Jean, assistant provost for special programs at Montclair State University, is executive director of the institution’s Educational Opportunity Fund. It provides academic and financial support to low-income, highly motivated New Jersey residents. He also started his own company – Wordstravel – through which he provides motivational speaking and empowerment seminars to students, educators and administrators in the area of leadership, retention, branding, diversity and career development.

 

Eloise Samuels, a founder and president of New Jersey Orators, is being recognized for teaching public speaking, literature, reading, media arts literacy, civic engagement, college readiness and life skills to youth 7 to 18 years old in preparation for advanced learning. New Jersey Orators was founded in 1985 by a small group of African-American corporate executives who were concerned by the lack of formal language skills of young people who interviewed for jobs at their companies. Over the past 35 years, the New Jersey Orators has grown from one chapter in Somerset to 22 chapters and more than 200 volunteers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with plans to expand nationally.

 

Joe Roth, president & CEO of NJ Sharing Network, is being recognized for for his company’s innovative “#DonationNeedsDiversity,” program, an initiative to encourage multicultural communities to become more involved in saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation. There are nearly 4,000 people in New Jersey currently waiting for a life-saving transplants – 66% are people of color.

 

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About the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

 

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization that represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues. Based in Trenton, the organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network. For more information, visit njchamber.com

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