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July 7, 2023
Dear Members and Expo Attendees:
Thank you for attending the inaugural African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Juneteenth Black Business Expo. You were one of over 500 people who attended this momentous and collaborative event at Montclair State University. Our goal was to focus on entrepreneurship, and the economic and cultural empowerment of underperforming communities. It was our intention to provide a forum to highlight African American entrepreneurs from various business sectors along with over sixty corporations, community partners and state agencies displaying their products and services in a transformed exhibit space that incorporated the history of Black Wall Street, and Black entrepreneurial excellence, past, present, and future.
A special thank you to Hackensack Meridian Health for their support and participation. We had a health fair within a business expo. The screenings were well attended, and everyone was very pleased with the accessibility of the medical professionals.
Most importantly, the Expo was an extension of the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to assist and advocate for Black businesses and the Black community. We hope you enjoyed the match making sessions and panel discussions that offered valuable opportunities and knowledge. Helping to make the event a success were Expo special guest speakers including Governor Phil Murphy, Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Vista Equity Partners, Austin, Tara Dowdell, President, Tara Dowdell Group, Dr. Kimberly Holmes, Asst. Commissioner, NJ Dept. of Community Affairs, Aaron Samuels, Founder, & Managing Partner, Collide Capital, and Co-Founder of Blavity & Afro-Tech, Tim Sullivan, CEO, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), and Jonathan Koppell, President of Montclair State University.
Click the links below to view highlights from “A Legacy of "Excellence” Juneteenth Black Business Expo AACCNJ Black Business Expo Trailer 2023 including the virtual reality Black History timeline highlighting Tulsa’s Black Wall Street created by Black Heart. You can see the experience with people interacting with it here. The password to the video is BLACKHEART.
Another Expo highlight was “Art and Couture Fashion Row” featuring a select group of Black-owned businesses displaying the best in Black, art, jewelry, fashion, and more, including Silver & Riley, Art’s World, Covered by God, Secur by Keeley B, and Afriprintz.
Based on the feedback received from numerous attendees, we believe our vision for the Expo was achieved. As a result, we are already thinking about plans for an even stronger 2024 Expo, which you will hear about during the coming months. Please feel free to let us know if you have comments and suggestions for next year’s Expo. Thank you again for contributing to the success of the Juneteenth Black Business Expo, and we look forward to seeing you at upcoming Chamber events.
Sincerely,
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