Rev. Al Sharpton, the founder of the National Action Network and a well-known social
justice activist, will give the keynote address at The State of Black New Jersey: 2026
Economic Summit, April 16 in Princeton.
The event, put on by the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, will
be held at the Princeton Marriott Forrestal. (Register here)
The event is designed to address some of the most pressing economic and business
issues impacting the Black community across the state. The program will feature three
in-depth panel discussions led by respected industry experts, thought leaders, and
practitioners who bring real-world insight, practical strategies and forward-thinking
perspectives.
Here’s a look at the three panels:
Black Businesses: Success Models & the Value Proposition: This panel will explore
what drives sustainable success for Black-owned businesses in today’s competitive
marketplace. Speakers will share proven business models, growth strategies, and the
unique value Black enterprises bring to local and regional economies. Attendees will
gain insight into innovation, branding, access to capital, scaling operations and how to
position businesses for long-term resilience and impact.
Panelists:
- William Bowie, CEO, Empower Construction
- Della Clark, President, The Enterprise Center
- Monique Nelson, Executive Director, UWG
- Brian Oglesby, Executive Director, UWG
Moderator: John Harmon, CEO, AACCNJ
Procurement Opportunities & Corporate Partnerships: Access to procurement and
corporate partnerships can be transformational for business growth. This discussion will
focus on how Black-owned businesses can successfully engage with major
corporations, supplier diversity programs, and institutional buyers. Panelists will outline
how to navigate procurement pipelines, build strong partnership relationships, meet compliance standards, and position companies as competitive and reliable vendors in
both private and public sectors.
Panelists:
- Mark McDonough, president, American Water
- Bianca Reyes, supplier diversity manager, PSEG
- Doug McKoid, president, JCP&L
Moderator: John Harmon, CEO, AACCNJ
Best Practices in Public Contracting: Public contracting presents significant
opportunities — but also unique challenges. This panel will provide a practical roadmap
for navigating government contracting processes at the local, state, and federal levels.
Experts will discuss certification pathways, bidding strategies, compliance requirements,
risk management, and how to build the capacity needed to secure and successfully
execute public contracts.
Panelists:
- Michael Garner, chief business diversity officer, NYC Mayor’s Office
- Carra Wallace, founder/president, Optimized Diversity Solutions
- Keith Wright, former director, Port Authority of NY/NJ
Moderator: Denise Anderson, CEO, Denise Anderson & Associates
Both moderators, Harmon and Anderson, were recently honored in BINJE’s Best:
Top Black Business Leaders.
In that issue, Harmon had strong insights into the post-George Floyd relationship
between Corporate America and Black-owned businesses.
