Business and Community Leaders in a Classroom at New Trenton Central High School Facility
Note from the CEO
One of the biggest headlines in September was the opening of the new $155 million Trenton Central High School facility.
 
We convened a tour of the school with Mayor Reed Gusciora and a number of business and community leaders on September 19th. What we all witnessed was nothing short of amazing as Trenton Central High School Principal Grant Hope presented an informative and inspirational tour of this exceptional facility.

Greater Trenton: Revitalization and Resilience is the name of a segment that will appear on WHYY, Thirteen, and NJTV at various times in October. I had the distinct pleasure of joining Benjamin Delisle, City of Trenton's Director of Housing & Economic Development; Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Artworks Board Member Lehze Flax to discuss various initiatives of consequence in the city.

We're gearing up for our Second Annual Caren Franzini Capital City Award Celebration happening on December 2, 2019 at Cooper's Riverview (50 Riverview Plaza) in Trenton. If you haven't done so already, please register here .
 
Also, check out some great events happening in our Capital City from classical music at War Memorial Patriots Theater to WWE Live at Cure Insurance Arena.
TrentonDaily , which celebrated its one-year anniversary on September 10th, reached over 60,000 readers. We look forward to more growth, more readers and providing more stories highlighting progress and opportunities in New Jersey's State Capital City. Please contact Bryan Evans at [email protected] for story submissions.

We wouldn't be able to do this without your tremendous support. As always, we appreciate all that you do and we look forward to continued collaboration and partnership.

Best,

George

George D. Sowa
Chief Executive Officer
GREATER TRENTON
New $155 Million Trenton Central High School: Building Blocks of Inspiration
Trenton's bright and shiny beacon of hope, the new $155 million Trenton Central High School campus was beautifully designed with thoughtful elements from the school's historic past. The massive hallways, open spaces and technological advancements dropped many jaws during a tour of the facility on Thursday, September 19. Yet, the evening's takeaway was a narrative far deeper and more inspiring. Hyper-focused on meeting the needs of more than 1,800 students, the facility and curriculum feels like a college campus; promising to prepare young Trentonians for a world of glistering opportunities.

As a group joined by Mayor Reed Gusciora including business, civic, education, and religious leaders, strolled the immaculate facility, Trenton Central High School Principal Hope Grant chronicled an inspiring story of opportunity, structure and progress, that penetrates beyond the brick-and-mortar and is now creating a student mindset of success.

Trenton Central High School Principal Hope Grant (top left) gives a lesson on the school's innovative learning tools as Mayor Reed Gusciora (left) looks on with the crowd

"What we need, with every partnership that we have, is that connection with young people," said Grant after an eye-opening story about students who lack basic necessities like being hugged and feeling loved. "It's more than just a bright new building," added Grant. "In the end, if there is not someone cheering for our students, this whole experience is minimized."

Grant explained that by the end of the construction process, every single company that had a major contract with the New Jersey Schools Development Authority hired Trenton Central High School students to provide services to enhance the facility. As an example, the company that was responsible for the computers, hired 24 seniors last June at industry rate and trained them to image all of the laptops in every classroom.
Other students were hired to engage in furniture staging and even construction services to help make the facility shine. "The class of 2019, who never got a chance to step foot in the new building, now have their imprints on this building," said Grant.

Organized into five diverse career-focused small learning communities known as Career Academies, Trenton Central High School guides students to select the Career Academy that best aligns their interests to one of the College and Career program offerings within each Academy. These “schools-within-a-school” provide the opportunity for large high schools to create smaller educational communities that offer a more personalized learning environment to better meet the needs of students.

The school's five career academies include Communications, Health Professions, Restaurant, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and Visual and Performing Arts.
Often asked how the students are taking all of this in, Grant says "It is something that I can't even put into words. How they are carrying themselves, how they are responding, and how they are challenging me, is wonderful and speaks to how our students are able to advocate."

"I can only imagine the thrill and excitement students have walking into this new state-of-the-art facility as they navigate a new world of opportunities," said Greater Trenton CEO George Sowa. "The grand facility - but more importantly, the programs and initiatives - promises to serve Trenton youth well for generations to come."

John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, who graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1978, described the new building as "transformational" as he reminisced walking through the halls of the former school.

"In 1962, when I graduated from Trenton Central High School, we were one of the premier high schools in the Country," said James White III, Student Success Coach and Radio Host at Mercer County Community College. "This is a fantastic facility hands down ... our students have everything they need, now it's up to them."
George Sowa's Appearance on Steve Adubato's "Think Tank" Kicks off in October
Starting on October 19th, a 4-person roundtable discussion featuring George Sowa on Steve Adubato's Think Tank, will air during the following times:

Sat. 10/19 NJTV 8:30AM
Sat. 10/19 Thirteen 12:30PM
Sun. 10/20 NJTV 8:30AM
Sun. 10/20 NJTV 11:30AM
Sun. 10/20 WHYY 11:30AM
Tues. 10/22 NJTV 5:30AM

The segment Greater Trenton: Revitalization and Resilience , will feature George Sowa along with other guests including Benjamin Delisle, City of Trenton's Director of Housing & Economic Development; Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Artworks Board Member Lehze Flax.
The broadcast will feature a range of topics including the current state of economic development and revitalization in the city, the role of government and Governor Murphy administration in city growth, impact of investing in Trenton, what the future looks like for Trenton and challenges facing businesses.




Greater Trenton Gears Up for Second Annual Caren Franzini Capital City Award Celebration
Greater Trenton's Second Annual Caren Franzini Award Celebration , happening on December 2, 2019 at Cooper's Riverview (50 Riverview Plaza in Trenton), aims to build on last years success; reflecting on Trenton’s past, re-imagining its future, and engaging with some of the most influential leaders impacting the Capital City. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. with a pre-celebration at 4 p.m. for VIP ticket holders.

"Thanks to all of our sponsor to date including: NJM Insurance Group, Novo Nordisk, Wells Fargo, M&T Bank, PSEG, PNC Bank, and AT&T," said Greater Trenton CEO George Sowa. "We look forward to additional support as we continue to prepare for this important and impactful event bringing together hundreds of attendees to advocate for Trenton's revitalization."
The celebration, which honors the legacy of  Caren Franzini , former NJEDA CEO and one of the founders of Greater Trenton, will recognize Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman with this year's Caren Franzini Capital City Award for her ongoing commitment to Trenton.

With welcoming remarks by Mayor Reed Gusciora, this elegant evening will include cocktails, conversations and collaborations as attendees reflect on Trenton's past, reimagine its future, and mingle with some of the most influential leaders impacting the Capital City.

Event Co-Chairs include Brenda Ross-Dulan, Principal of the Ross Dulan Group, LLC and Mike Van Wagner, Vice President of Public Affairs for NJM Insurance Group. 

For information on how you can join the effort to memorialize Caren’s extraordinary leadership while helping Greater Trenton reinvigorate our Capital City, please reach out to Bryan Evans at [email protected] or call 609- GREATER (609-473-2837) x102 or visit www.greatertrenton.org/CapitalCityAward
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TRENTON?
Opening Night! At Your Request with Maja Rajkovi ć
October 19, 2019
7:30 p.m.

Beginning with the electrifying “Mars, the Bringer of War” and ending with the ethereal “Neptune, the Mystic” incorporating women’s choir, attendees will experience an awesome ride through the solar system. Wagner’s energetic “Prelude to Die Meistersinger” opens the concert, followed by Mozart’s “Elvira Madigan” concerto, a rare modern nickname because of its use in the 1967 Swedish film of the same name in which its lyrical second movement was featured. This famous melody even inspired Neil Diamond’s 1972 hit “Song Sung Blue.” Serbian pianist Maja Rajković, will make her American debut with the orchestra.
War Memorial Patriots Theater
1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ 08608
WWE Live
October 19, 2019
7:30 p.m.

WWE Live returns to Cure Insurance Arena on October 19 featuring:

Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt: RAW Championship Match

Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks

Braun Strowman vs. The O.C.
2 on 1 Handicap Match

Plus, Baron Corbin, Samoa Joe, Ricochet, The Miz, Natalya, The Usos, Lacey Evans, Dolph Ziggler and many more!
Cure Insurance Arena
81 Hamilton Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08611
Capital City Farmers Market at Mill Hill Park
Through October 31st
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Capital City Farmers Market is running every Thursday through October 31st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mill Hill Park located at 165 E. Front Street, Trenton, NJ. Each week the market draws around 4,000 visitors — workers from the surrounding state/government offices and private businesses, as well as residents and tourists.

The market features Jersey Fresh farm produce and regional producers, artisanal food, specialty produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, jewelry, all natural body and face care products, and much more.

They’re a close and growing community. Long-term vendors have a dedicated base of loyal fans, and several have gone on to open brick and mortar stores after growing with the Capital City Farmers Market.
Mill Hill Park
165 E. Front Street
Trenton, NJ 08608

VISIT TRENTONDAILY.COM TO GET YOUR DAILY DOSE OF STORIES SURROUNDING TRENTON'S ECONOMIC PROGRESS, NEIGHBORHOODS, COMMUNITY HEROES, ARTS & CULTURE, HISTORY, BUSINESS ASSETS AND MORE. 
Reach us at 609-GREATER (609-473-2837)