Let’s start with this basic idea: Trenton Forward isn’t trying to build anything new in Trenton — it’s trying to connect what’s already there.
The nonprofit, which announced itself to the state this week, said its entire premise is that the capital city doesn’t suffer from a lack of opportunity, but from fragmentation: properties, funding, projects — and institutions that rarely talk to each other.
Trenton Forward is a Trenton-based 501(c)(3) built on the bet that Trenton already has what it needs to thrive — location, institutions, historic corridors, and underused real estate — but lacks the coordination to turn those assets into action.
Let’s also add this: Trenton Forward’s main tool is Trenton Forward Atlas, an AI-assisted platform that turns a user’s goal, like finding a property or a funding source, into a guided pathway of next steps, backed by a year-round calendar of executive gatherings, a podcast and an annual summit.
Call it new-age technology aiming to bring a new start to Trenton.
Now hear this: The group does have humans behind it. Four pretty good ones, in fact. Here’s a look at the founding board:
- Executive Director Kwaku Dokyi: The Trenton-based social entrepreneur and founder of The Kooman Company;
- Chairman Lawrence Krampf: The marketing executive and Advertising Hall of Fame inductee;
- Secretary Michael Hierl: The retired founder of the Princeton-based Pacesetter Group of Companies;
- Treasurer Mike Reagan: The former BellSouth chief information officer and CGI executive.
The group is recruiting members and sponsors ahead of its inaugural public summit in January 2027. Interested, click here.
Interested in just reading more? We’ve got that covered, too.
Here are 10 things you need to know about the group re-shaping how New Jersey’s capital city does business.
10. It’s a nonprofit, not a developer: Trenton Forward is a Trenton-based 501(c)(3) organization. It doesn’t build or own property itself — it positions itself as a connector between the people, capital and institutions that do.
9. It has an AI-assisted platform at its core: Trenton Forward Atlas is designed to turn a user’s goal — say, finding a redevelopment site or a funding source — into a guided pathway using property, GIS, and incentive data, plus a network of vetted local organizations.
8. Atlas keeps a human in the loop: Member projects and strategic conversations stay private by default. Any high-stakes property, capital or relationship recommendation gets routed to Trenton Forward staff for review before it goes further.
7. Its work is organized around eight pillars: They range from entrepreneurship and workforce development to district activation, property redevelopment, arts and culture, and civic stewardship — grouped under four broader goals: building the economy, connections, places and community.
6. Membership is open to almost anyone with a stake in Trenton: There are five pathways — community, institutional and public, corporate, leadership council, and chairman’s council — covering everyone from small nonprofits to major corporations and government agencies.
5. The founding board brings four very different resumes: It includes a Trenton-based social entrepreneur, an Advertising Hall of Fame inductee, a serial entrepreneur and organizational-change consultant, and a former Fortune 500 executive.
4. There’s a student tier, too: A $150 student membership gives currently enrolled undergraduates and graduate students access to career resources, internship pipelines and a personal Atlas learning workspace.
3. The calendar runs year-round: Weekly podcast episodes, monthly executive breakfasts and evenings, quarterly white papers, and annual flagship events are all designed to keep the Trenton conversation going 365 days a year — not just at a single event.
2. Sponsorships scale from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars: Backing ranges from a $2,500 exhibit sponsorship up to a $50,000 presenting sponsorship, with tiers in between tied to benefits like Founders Wall recognition, Atlas access and complimentary Summit registrations.
1. Its flagship event launches in January 2027: The inaugural Trenton Forward Summit will be held Jan. 14, 2027, at the Trenton War Memorial, with more than 350 business, civic and institutional leaders expected to attend.
