RWJBarnabas Health didn’t just accept an award at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s annual dinner last week. It made a pledge.
Christopher James, the system’s Senior Vice President for Public Policy and External Affairs, did so while accepting an award for CEO Mark Manigan at the chamber’s 16th annual Corporate Awards Dinner.
James didn’t stop at ‘thank you.’
“People are running away from African American Chambers and the African American Community, we’re standing with the chamber,” he said. “We’re here, we’re here for whatever you need and we’re not going anywhere.”
It was a notable statement at a time when the word “diversity” has become a target, and when many in the business world are reluctant to say anything at all.
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Each year, the chamber honors three leaders who have contributed to its success. Along with Manigan, this year’s honorees were Tom Bracken, CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, and Tony Wittock, managing partner and chief technology officer of Cyber Security Consulting Ops.
John Harmon, the chamber’s founder and CEO, said the choices reflect the chamber’s mission.
“The chamber is founded on being solution focused and driving a strategy that will lead to a more competitive and inclusive New Jersey,” he said. “These people have been chosen tonight because they have contributed to the chamber achieving that goal.”
Bracken and Harmon have worked together on economic development for decades.
“It’s great to be recognized by friends,” Bracken said. “I’ve known John since before he was a doctor.”
Bracken said that kind of partnership is the only way anything gets done in New Jersey.
“You can’t do anything alone in the state of New Jersey,” he said. “You have to have strong relationships, build coalitions, have allies.
“At the top of my list is John Harmon and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.”
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Wittock’s company shows what those connections can mean.
Cyber Security Consulting Ops grew from a small business into a firm handling IT for some of the state’s largest municipalities, including Newark, after joining the chamber.
“I thank God for the chamber for allowing us to have meaningful connections,” Wittock said. “It’s really important.”
Harmon closed the night by talking about what the chamber is up against.
“We’re in the perception business,” he said. “There’s a perception that our members lack the wherewithal to meet the moment. I push back on that every day.”
For Harmon, it’s simple.
“DEI, when done effectively, is about innovation, efficiency, market penetration and growth, and sustainability,” he said.
The secret, Harmon said, is simple.
“Ladies and gentlemen if you’re not in the room, but if Tom or I are, rest assured we got you covered, because we know you can meet the moment,” he said.
