A time when so many companies and organizations are eliminating — or muting — their intentions around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, the African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J. and the N.J. Chamber of Commerce recently recognized eight New Jersey organizations that continue to demonstrate leadership, vision and measurable commitment to DEI.
A look at those honored at the third annual Trailblazer Impact event, with remarks from the gathering:
Atlantic City Electri
At Atlantic City Electric, diversity, equity and inclusion aren’t just priorities — they are woven into the company’s DNA and drive how it serves the people of South Jersey.
Through open dialogue, representation, and strong community partnerships, Atlantic City Electric ensures every voice is valued and every community has access to opportunity.
Its inclusion efforts span every corner of the company — from workforce development to supplier diversity.
One shining example: the company helped launch a summer STEM Camp that introduces underrepresented students to careers in energy.
Atlantic City Electric also established analyst roles for neurodivergent professionals.
The results speak for themselves. Within just three weeks, a team of these professionals processed nearly 3,000 work orders for telecom equipment — a project that would have otherwise taken almost a year to complete.
Representation at the leadership level is another area where Atlantic City Electric is setting the pace.
The company has embedded bias awareness into its hiring and promotion practices and strengthened mentorship programs that help team members prepare for management and C-suite opportunities — ensuring advancement is open to all.
And inclusion extends to spending, too.
Atlantic City Electric truly puts its money where its mouth is. In 2024, the company purchased $150 million in goods and services from diverse suppliers — building on a century-long tradition of supporting diverse businesses.
Capital Health
Capital Health’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion deepened during the pandemic, when disparities in health and well-being became sharper.
In response, Capital Health — in partnership with local businesses and community partners — launched the ‘Trenton Neighborhood Initiative.’
It addresses the social and economic factors behind health outcomes and advance health equity.
In other words, Capital Health took responsibility for the communities it serves.
With $1 million in seed funding and a $10 million commitment, the program has supported:
- home ownership;
- Education;
- the delivery of food and meals;
- small business grants;
- computer literacy;
- distribution of laptops.
The results have been profound: Strengthening community trust, lifting employee pride and reshaping Capital Health’s vision for equity and well-being.
The Trenton Neighborhood Initiative is changing lives – one home, one degree and one meal at a time.
Gibbons PC
The law firm Gibbons P.C. is being recognized tonight for its exceptional leadership in advancing diversity — both within the firm and across New Jersey’s business community.
In partnership with the State Chamber and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Gibbons helped establish the AACCNJ Pro Bono Alliance. It is an initiative that provides free legal services to small, diverse businesses, empowering them to launch, sustain, and grow.
Beyond that, Gibbons serves as government and regulatory affairs counsel to the AACCNJ, supporting efforts to secure passage of legislation that would direct more than $1 billion in procurement dollars to minority- and women-owned businesses.
It’s a bill that represents fairness, opportunity, and economic empowerment.
Gibbons’ advocacy on this issue reflects a simple truth: doing the right thing is not always easy — but it is always worth the work.
By combining advocacy and action, Gibbons P.C. demonstrates how a deep commitment to inclusion strengthens both the firm AND the entire New Jersey community.
Citizens Bank
At Citizens, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of the company’s culture and success.
Citizens is committed to creating an environment where every colleague feels valued, supported, and empowered to bring their best self to work — every single day.
That commitment extends beyond the workplace, reaching customers and communities across New Jersey and beyond.
Through impactful community initiatives, dynamic Business Resource Groups, and forward-thinking colleague programs, Citizens invests in growth, development, and opportunity for all.
The result is a more future-ready, diverse, and inclusive workforce — one that reflects the world we live in and the communities Citizens serves.
New Jersey Society of CPAs
The New Jersey Society of CPAs has made an unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive and representative accounting profession.
Through its comprehensive DEI Action Plan — a template it shares with accounting firms across the state — the NJCPA equips members and firms with practical tools to attract, engage, and retain diverse talent.
These resources help HR teams recruit more inclusively, guide communications teams in reaching broader audiences and inspire leaders to embed equity throughout their organizations.
The CPA Society has also invested deeply in the next generation.
Over the past five years, the NJCPA has awarded scholarships to students from diverse New Jersey high schools who are pursuing accounting degrees — helping underrepresented young people see accounting as a field where they can thrive and lead.
The NJCPA believes diversity is both a moral and a business imperative, reflecting the changing demographics and values of today’s workforce.
By challenging stereotypes, expanding opportunity, and fostering a true sense of belonging, the New Jersey Society of CPAs continues to strengthen the accounting profession — and the communities it serves.
OceanFirst Bank
For more than 120 years, OceanFirst Bank has built its success on a simple yet powerful principle — treating customers, employees, and neighbors with dignity and respect.
That enduring commitment goes hand in hand with inclusion — and inclusion continues to shape the very heart of OceanFirst’s culture.
With more than 900 employees across multiple states, OceanFirst has created vibrant Employee Resource Groups that host guest speakers, networking events, book discussions and community gatherings.
These events bring team members together — providing opportunities to learn new perspectives, strengthen connections and build understanding — both at work and beyond.
The result is a workplace where every employee feels comfortable, valued and heard.
OceanFirst’s inclusive spirit also extends beyond the office and into the communities it serves.
Guided by its founding belief that everyone deserves access to financial tools and opportunity, the bank continues to uplift others by listening, learning, and leading with respect.
OceanFirst Bank proves every day that strong, inclusive relationships are the foundation of lasting success.
SJI: South Jersey Industries
SJI’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has shaped how the company operates — as an employer, a utility provider and a community partner.
What began with compliance and equity as SJI’s guiding principles has evolved over the past decade into a comprehensive and intentional DEI program that touches every part of the organization — from the boardroom to the field.
SJI, for example, strengthened its foundation with harassment and ethics training, redesigned its salary structure to promote pay equity and conducted employee surveys to ensure every voice is heard.
The company also formed a Diversity Council — made up of executives and senior leaders — to ensure accountability and visible commitment to advancing inclusion at the highest levels.
SJI’s Employee Resource Groups — including the American Association of Blacks in Energy and the Hispanic Organization for Latin Achievement — provide platforms for leadership development and a strong sense of belonging.
The company also created DEI podcasts and Coffee Chats and expanded wellness and mental health resources.
SJI even organized its own DEI Summit, titled: “Where Trust Leads, Safety Follows.”
The summit reinforced an important truth: when employees feel safe, respected, and comfortable sharing their perspectives, the entire workplace becomes stronger and safer.
Like many organizations, SJI has faced external headwinds — shifting DEI legislation — and the challenge of maintaining focus amid competing priorities. At times, these pressures have threatened to stall progress or limit investment in inclusion, but it has never lost sight of its purpose.
By anchoring inclusiveness as a core business driver, SJI has shown that inclusion is not just a value, it’s good for business, for retention, and for customer trust.
Withum
Withum believes that diversity isn’t just a value. It’s a strategic advantage that fuels creativity, collaboration, and trust. Every voice deserves to be heard. And inclusion, Withum believes, is not only the right thing to do — it’s also the smart thing to do.
By embracing inclusion, Withum has built a culture where team members feel empowered to bring their full selves to work.
The result?
Greater engagement, higher retention and yes, a stronger bottom line. The firm is proving that doing the right thing and doing the smart thing align perfectly.
Withum’s talent development program connects interns from underrepresented backgrounds with senior leaders, resulting in higher intern-to-full-time conversion rates … and a more connected, inclusive culture.
Through its Culture and Inclusion Committee and Employee Resource Groups, Withum actively listens to employees and turns their feedback into meaningful action, ensuring inclusion is lived, not just stated.
Withum shared advice for employers hoping to build more inclusive workplaces:
- Start by leaning in and listening;
- Understand the lived experiences of your people;
- Use that insight to design initiatives that feel authentic and lasting.
Withum believes that progress requires being proactive, accountable and open to evolution.
DE&I, Withum says, is everyone’s responsibility — and when embraced fully, it transforms organizations from the inside out.
