Three ‘Champions of Diversity’ are Recognized for Their Work to Promote Equal Economic Opportunity in New Jersey
The Sept. 14 Event Kicked off a Series of 'Equal Opportunity Receptions' Produced by the N.J. Chamber and the African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J.
Three "Champions of Diversity” – leaders with great passion, commitment and persistence – were recognized Sept. 14 for their outstanding work to promote equal economic opportunity and diversity in New Jersey. They and their organizations were honored at a reception in Livingston hosted by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
The honorees were Aisha Taylor Issah, CEO of Sistahs in Business Expo; Bernel Hall, CEO of Invest Newark; Sean LaCon, founder of BLESSED Ministries.
“Women of color are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs, and the least funded.”
—Aisha Taylor Issah
CEO, Sistahs in Business Expo
“Women of Color is the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs, but the least funded and the least supported,” Aisha Taylor Issah said in her acceptance speech. “That has to change and I will not rest until it does.” Her organization, Sistahs in Business, is the country's only multi-city, small-business expo created to celebrate and empower entrepreneurial women of color.
The organization also created Sistahs in Business University, which provides business training, and, this past year, it opened its first retail store called The Sistah Shop at The Mills at Jersey Gardens. It sells products designed by Black women. “This is our first award,” she said. “I say 'we' because I do not do this alone. I have a team – an ‘Amen Corner’ – who make sure this movement keeps moving.”
“I keep counting jobs for people of color.”
CEO, Invest Newark
Bernell Hall was recognized for his work as CEO of the economic development organization Invest Newark. “We advance the prosperity for all Newarkers and I’m focused on making diversity work,” Hall said. “I keep counting jobs for people of color and women. And I’m counting the dollars for people of color and women.”
This year alone, the team at Invest Newark has served more than 2,100 small businesses, trained more than 900 entrepreneurs and helped more than 5,000 businesses register for Urban Enterprise Zone incentives.
“We do this out of love. Not for money, but to help people rise.”
—Sean LaCon
Founder, BLESSED Ministries Inc.
Sean LaCon, founder and executive director of BLESSED Ministries in Newark, was recognized for his program that transitions formerly incarcerated people and those with substance abuse backgrounds into employment in mainstream companies. “We do this out of love, not for money, but to help people rise,” LaCon said. “It’s about more than putting people to work. It’s about creating entrepreneurs. We provide transportation to work, connect them with banks, help them start LLCs. These people establish themselves and they go on to hire others.”
BLESSED Ministries has placed more than 4,000 individuals in employment opportunities across the tri-state area. LaCon once said, “My biggest joy in working with our clients happens when they walk into our office looking for work and to see the expression on their faces when I ask, ‘Can you start working today?'”
“New Jersey is of the most diverse states. It’s time to make it the most economically inclusive state.”
—John Harmon
President, CEO and Founder
African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J.
The reception kicked off a series of 'Equal Opportunity Receptions,’ being produced this fall by the N.J. Chamber and the African American Chamber of N.J. The series will culminate with a dinner gala in Edison on Nov. 10. to celebrate diversity.
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 chiefly on education, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for people of color.
“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.”
“We will challenge businesses in every corner of the state to do their part to change the status quo.”
—Tom Bracken
President and CEO
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
“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.”