>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WORKING TO KEEP NEW JERSEY IN BUSINESS.

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>>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

LOTS OF CHANGES, LOTS OF QUESTIONS.

WE HELP YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON YOUR TAX RETURNS.

>>> PLUS, PUTTING PEN TO PAPER TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNS OFF ON AID PACKAGES TO HELP KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

>>> WE'RE PUTTING WORK PLACE BIAS IN FOCUS, TALKING TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS ABOUT HOW COMPANIES CAN ENCOURAGE INCLUSION AND EQUALITY, INCLUDING WHY COMPANIES NEED TO THINK BEYOND DIVERSITY.

THAT'S AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

♪ >> Announcer: THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT," WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

>>> HELLO, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON YOUTUBE, MAKE SURE YOU SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET ALERTED WHEN WE POST NEW EP E ISODES AND CLIPS.

>>> THIS WEEK WE ARE TALKING TAXES, EVERYTHING FROM UPDATES FROM THE IRS THAT WILL IMPACT YOUR FINANCES TO KEEPING TRACK OF THE COVID-19 RELATED CHANGES FOR THIS TAX FILING SEASON.

IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO FILES ESTIMATED TAXES EACH QUARTER, HOPEFULLY YOU DID THAT THIS WEEK, THE APRIL 15th TAX DEADLINE TO PAY THOSE TAXES DID NOT CHANGE THIS YEAR.

EVEN THOUGH THE IRS MOVED THE REGULAR TAX FILING DEADLINE TO MAY 17th.

TO FIND OUT ABOUT SOME OF THE SPECIAL TAX CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THIS YEAR, I TALKED WITH ANDREA DIAZ, A PARTNER WITH THE ACCOUNTING FIRM, SKC & COMPANY.

>> THERE WAS A LOT THAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST YEAR AND I WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT THE TAX IMPLICATIONS ARE.

STIMULUS CHECKS.

SEVERAL PEOPLE GOT SOME EXTRA MONEY.

IS ANY OF THAT TAXABLE?

>> IT IS NOT TAXABLE.

AND IT'S NOT TAXABLE FEDERAL, NEW JERSEY OR NEW YORK.

CANNOT SPEAK TO ALL STATES.

IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE ALL OF YOUR STIMULUS THAT YOU WERE ENTITLED TO, YOU CAN RECEIVE A CREDIT ON YOUR 2020 TAX RETURNS.

SO LET ME GIVE YOU A FOR INSTANCE.

IF YOU HAD A CHILD IN 2020, WAS NOT REPORTED ON YOUR 2019 TAX RETURN, YOU HAVE AN ADDITIONAL DEPENDENT, YOU CAN APPLY FOR A CREDIT ON YOUR 2020 TAX RETURN TO GET THE STIMULUS THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED FOR YOUR NEW DEPENDENT.

>> AND THEN, WHAT ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THERE WAS A CHANGE THAT CAME DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT'S REALLY GOING TO IMPACT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY IN TERMS OF THE TAXABILITY.

>> YEAH, SO TYPICALLY, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE FULLY TAXABLE, FEDERALLY.

CERTAIN STATES DO TAX UNEMPLOYMENT, NEW JERSEY IS ONE THAT DOES NOT.

NEW YORK IS ONE THAT DOES.

THE IRS HAS COME OUT WITH -- OR CONGRESS HAS COME OUT WITH THE IRS IS CHANGING THE TAXABILITY.

SO THE FIRST $10,200 OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE NOT TAXABLE IF YOUR INCOME IS LESS THAN $150,000.

NOW, IN MANY OTHER TAX BENEFITS, THEY HAVE SEPARATED SINGLE FILERS FROM MARRIED FILING JOINT.

OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS NOT A SEPARATION BETWEEN SINGLE FILERS AND MARRIED FILING JOINT FOR THIS 150,000.

THAT IT IS SIMPLY THE RETURN THAT IS FILED, 150,000 ABOVE -- AND IT'S A CLIFF.

SO THERE ISN'T A PHASE OUT.

SO IF YOU'RE $150,001, YOU'RE PAYING TAX ON YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THIS YEAR.

WHAT ABOUT FOR EVERYONE WORKING FROM HOME, CAN NAY DEDUCT ANY EXPENSES?

>> SO, PRIOR TO THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT OF 2017, EMPLOYEES AND SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS WERE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE HOME OFFICE DEDUCTIONS HOWEVER PARTS OF THE TAX CUTS THAT TOOK EFFECT IN 2018, EMPLOYEES ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO DEDUCT HOME OFFICE EXPENSES BUT SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS ARE.

>> HOW ABOUT EVERYBODY WHO HAD BEEN WORKING IN NEW YORK, NOW WORKING IN NEW JERSEY, DO THEY STILL HAVE TO PAY TAXES TO NEW YORK?

>> THIS HAS BEEN TOPIC OF CONVERSATION AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND IT'S NOT JUST NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

IN EVERY STATE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CROSS BORDERS.

AND NEW YORK CAME OUT VERY EARLY, AS WE ANTICIPATED, AND SAID IF YOU HAVE CONTINUED TO WORK FOR A NEW YORK CORPORATION AND YOUR TYPICAL PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT HAS NOT CHANGED, EXCEPT THAT NOW YOU'RE WORKING FROM HOME, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PAY NEW YORK TAXES FOR 2020 AND THEN YOU GET A CREDIT ON YOUR NEW JERSEY TAX RETURN.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME OTHER STATES, NOT -- NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MASSACHUSETTS SPECIFICALLY, THEY WANT TO TAKE IT TO COURT, NEW HAMPSHIRE WANTS TO TAKE MASSACHUSETTS TO COURT TO SAY YOU SHOULDN'T BE TAXING OUR RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN THERE.

SO WE'LL SEE THE OUTCOME OF THAT CASE AND THAT COULD CHANGE THINGS, BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, IF YOU DID WORK IN NEW YORK AND YOU LIVE IN NEW JERSEY AND YOU'VE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO PAY NEW YORK TAXES.

THE OTHER CAVEAT IS SAY YOU WORK FOR A LARGE CORPORATION, A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY AND THEY HAVE AN OFFICE LOCATION IN NEW YORK AND AN OFFICE LOCATION IN NEW JERSEY, IF YOU SWITCHED OFFICES DURING THE YEAR YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY NEW YORK TAXES.

IF YOU'RE WORKING OUT OF THE NEW JERSEY OFFICE BUT WORKING FROM HOME, THEN YOU WOULD CHANGE YOUR -- CHANGE IT TO NEW JERSEY VERSUS NEW YORK.

>> SO I GUESS THE LAST QUESTION, I STILL CAN'T DEDUCT MY PET?

MY VERY EXPENSIVE PET?

>> I WISH.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE TRY TO DO THAT.

>> I HAVE TWO DOGS MYSELF, AND THEY CAN BE QUITE COSTLY.

>> ANDREA, IT'S BEEN GREAT HELPING YOU NAVIGATE THIS YEAR'S TAX SEASON, A LOT OF CHANGES.

SO WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SPENDING TIME WITH ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, RHONDA.

IT'S BEEN GREAT.

>> OF COURSE, YOU DO GET TO DEDUCT YOUR CHILDREN AS DEPENDENTS AND NOW MANY RESIDENTS WILL QUALIFY FOR A SPECIAL CHILD TAX CREDIT ENACTED AS PART OF COVID-19 RELIEF LEGISLATION.

THE IRS CONFIRMED THIS WEEK IT WILL BEGIN SENDING MONTHLY PAYMENTS IN JULY TO PARENTS WHO MEET THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY FOR THE EXPANDED TAX CREDIT.

FOR THIS YEAR ONLY THE TAX CREDIT WAS RAISED FROM $2,000 TO $3,000.

>>> MONDAY IS AN IMPORTANT DAY FOR ANY NEW JERSEY BUSINESS HOPING TO RECEIVE SOME OF THE NEW GRANT MONEY THE STATE IS MAKING AVAILABLE, THANKS TO BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS WEEK, ANOTHER $85 MILLION WILL SOON BE DISTRIBUTED TO BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS IN NEED, INCLUDING RESTAURANTS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS.

>> OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE EDA HAS APPROVED ROUGHLY 55,000 APPLICATIONS REPRESENTING OVER $250 MILLION IN FUNDING.

THE M IMPACT CAN BE SEEN UP AND DOWN OUR STREETS THROUGHOUT THE THOUSANDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES WHOSE DOORS REMAIN OPEN AND THE COUNTLESS COMMUNITY BASED NONPROFITS WHOSE CORE MISSIONS REMAIN FULFILLED.

THE LAW I'M ABOUT TO SIGN IN A FEW MINUTES IS ADDITIVE TO THESE EFFORTS AND ENSURE WE CAN DO MORE FOR MORE.

>> BUSINESSES MUST PREREGISTER ON THE WEBSITE BEFORE APPLYING FOR A GRANT UP TO $20,000.

PREREGISTRATION OPENS THIS MONDAY AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH APRIL 29th.

AFTER THAT, BUSINESSES CAN SUBMIT THEIR GRANT APPLICATIONS IN EARLY MAY.

BUSINESSES ARE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THE GRANT MONEY TO COVER PAYROLL COSTS.

>>> SOME COMPANIES AROUND THE STATE ARE EXPANDING THEIR WORKFORCES.

A STATE SENATOR SAID BUSINESSES IN HIS DISTRICT ARE HIRING.

>> WE'VE BEEN CONTACTED BY SO MANY INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY OUR TOURISM INDUSTRIES, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO HIRE FOR THIS SUMMER SEASON THAT'S COMING UP.

WHICH REALLY STARTS AROUND MOTHER'S DAY DOWN HERE IN CAPE MAY COUNTY.

UNFORTUNATELY THEY CAN'T FIND THE NECESSARY AMOUNT OF WORKERS TO HAVE THEM STAFFED.

>> THEY'VE LAUNCHED AN INITIATIVE TO MATCH UNEMPLOYED WORKERS WITH BUSINESSES THAT ARE HIRING.

HE BELIEVES THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COULD BE DOING MORE TO HELP PUT PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND HE'S CRITICAL OF THE STATE'S DECISION TO KEEP ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS CLOSED.

>>> IN MARCH, NEW JERSEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 7.7%, HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL RATE THAT STANDS AT 6%.

AS MORE PEOPLE GO BACK TO WORK, ONE ISSUE TOP OF MIND IS ADVANCING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN AND BEFORE A YEAR OF INCIDENTS THAT PROMPTED PROTESTS FOR RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE, THE CONSULTING FIRM MACKENZIE SURVEYED EMPLOYEES AND FOUND MANY DID NOT FEEL FULLY INCLUDED AT WORK.

THE SURVEY FOUND THAT 84% OF ALL RESPONDENTS EXPERIENCED WORK PLACE MICRO AGGRESSIONS OR EVERYDAY SLIGHTS ROOTED IN BIAS.

AND WOMEN, MINORITIES AND LGBTQ PLUS WORKERS SAID THEIR CAREERS ADVANCED MORE SLOWLY THAN THEIR PEERS.

THIS WEEK WE PUT WORK PLACE BIAS IN FOCUS.

WHEN IT COMES TO DIVERSITY, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT CHECKING THE BOX WHEN THE MINORITY IS HIRED.

PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE DODGE FOUNDATION SPOKE WITH ME ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING THE RIGHT CORPORATE CULTURE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

YOU RECENTLY SPOKE AT A DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CONFERENCE AND ACTUALLY MADE A FASCINATING POINT.

AND THAT IS COMPANIES THINK ABOUT DIVERSITY IN THE HIRING PROCESS.

BUT TOO OFTEN THEY DON'T THINK BEYOND THAT.

TELL ME ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING AND WHY THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT COMPANIES SHOULD REALLY FOCUS ON.

>> SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GO BEYOND DIVERSITY, WHICH IS REALLY JUST COUNTING THE NUMBERS AND THE STATISTICS AND REALLY ENSURING THAT WE'RE CREATING AN INCLUSIVE AND OPEN AND BELONGING WORK PLACE, SO THAT WE CAN RETAIN OUR EMPLOYEES AND THAT WE CAN RECRUIT EMPLOYEES FOR THE FUTURE.

WE WANT TO CREATE THIS WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SHARE THEIR VOICES, BRING THEIR BEST SELVES AND THAT THEY CAN REALLY ADD VALUE IN THE WAY THAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR THEM.

>> SO HOW DO COMPANIES FAIL TO DO THAT?

WHAT ARE THEY DOING WRONG IN TERMS OF ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES OPENNESS?

>> SO I THINK WHAT HAPPENS, TOO, IS THAT IN RECRUITMENT, ESPECIALLY AGAIN THIS PAST YEAR, AS THE CALLS FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND LOTS OF ORGANIZATIONS WERE MAKING STATEMENTS, I THINK WHAT WAS HAPPENING IS THAT ORGANIZATIONS WERE REALIZING THAT MAYBE WE'RE NOT BEST EQUIPPED TO EVEN SPEAK IN A CULTURALLY COMPETENT FASHION ON THESE ISSUES WITH OUR EMPLOYEES THAT WE CAN HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND CREATE THE SPACE WHERE OUR EMPLOYEES CAN HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.

SO I THINK WHAT'S REALLY NEEDING TO HAPPEN, I'M SEEING IT IN THE CORPORATE BOARD ROOMS AS WELL AS NOT FOR PROFIT BOARD ROOMS IS HOW CAN WE CREATE AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT AND HOW CAN WE ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE -- NOT THE RIGHT PEOPLE BUT THAT WE'RE ENSURING WE HAVE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AT THE TABLE IDENTIFYING WHAT ARE THOSE ISSUES AND WHAT WILL CREATE AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE IN THEIR ORGANIZATION.

SO IT'S A LONG WINDED WAY OF ME SAYING THAT THIS CANNOT BE TOP DOWN APPROACH ONLY.

WHILE CULTURE BEGINS AT THE TOP OF AN ORGANIZATION, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT, THE TONE AT THE TOP IS SET AT THE BOARD, THAT EMPLOYEES THEMSELVES, THOUGH, NEED TO BE ABLE TO SAY WHAT IS RELEVANT AND NEEDED FOR THEM TO BE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS INCLUSIVE.

THAT THEY CAN SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVES AND THEIR VOICES AND FEEL SAFE TO DO SO.

>> I THINK THIS IS A GOOD POINT YOU'RE MAKING ABOUT WHILE YOU CAN SET CULTURE AT THE TOP, THE DECISIONS CAN'T COME FROM THERE BECAUSE WHEN WE LOOK AT WHO'S AT THE TOP, WE DON'T SEE DIVERSITY IN LEADERSHIP GENERALLY SPEAKING IN CORPORATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> SO I THINK THAT IS CHANGING.

I THINK THERE'S A RECOGNITION THAT WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY OUR C SUITES AND DIVERSIFY OUR BOARD ROOMS.

I WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO SAY THAT IT STILL REMAINS QUITE SLOW, BUT I AM OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING CHANGE IN THE BOARD ROOM.

WE'RE SEEING IT IN THE -- THE CONVERSATIONS ARE CHANGING IN THE BOARD ROOM ABOUT DIVERSITY, IT'S INCLUDED, INCLUSION AND EQUITY, THE CONVERSATIONS ARE SHIFTING TOWARDS CULTURE AND ACCOUNTABILITY, WHICH IS SO VERY CRITICAL.

AND I THINK THE CONVERSATIONS ARE ALSO CHANGING THAT WE'RE HOLDING OURSELVES AS BOARD MEMBERS, PUTTING MY BOARD MEMBER HAT ON, AND C SUITE EXECUTIVES THAT THE SCOPE AND THE SPHERE GOES WELL BEYOND THE C SUITE, IT'S THE TALENT PIPELINE AND THE WORKFORCE ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT LINE WORKER TO THE CARE AND SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, BUT ALSO CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT EMPLOYEES WANT TO WORK THERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR INSIGHT.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WE WANTED TO FIND OUT HOW ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST COMPANIES IS APPROACHING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

SO WE CHECKED IN WITH SHEILA, THE CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER AT PSEG.

ONE THING I THINK IS INTERESTING WHEN PSE&G TALKS ABOUT DIVERSITY, YOU DESCRIBE IT AS A JOURNEY TOWARD DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

AND I GUESS THAT MAKES ME THINK THAT THE WORK IS SORT OF NEVER DONE ON THAT FRONT.

>> THE WORK IS NEVER DONE, RHONDA.

SO I WANT TO JUST TOUCH ON ON A LITTLE BIT OF HOW WE DEFINE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

AND SO THE DIVERSITY FRONT ARE THOSE ELEMENTS, THOSE ATTRIBUTES, ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN COUNT RATHER THAN SOMEONE'S RACE, GENDER, PARTICULAR TYPE OF DISCIPLINE OR SKILL SET IS ONE ASPECT OF IT.

THE INCLUSION FRONT IS THE ACTUAL CULTURAL EXPERIENCE THAT EMPLOYEES HAVE WHEN WORKING FOR THE COMPANY.

AS WELL AS THE EXPERIENCE OUR CUSTOMERS AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE HAVE.

AND THAT'S BOTH ENDS OF THOSE PIECES ARE NEVER DONE.

>> I READ A MACKENZIE STUDY FROM ABOUT A YEAR AGO THAT WAS REALLY KIND OF SHOCKING TO ME.

THIS ONE NUMBER THAN MORE THAN EIGHT OUT OF TEN OF EVERY WORKER SURVEYED FELT MICRO AGGRESSIONS AT WORK BASED IN BIAS.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT NUMBER GOES DOWN TO ZERO?

ESPECIALLY IF YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OR UNDERSTAND THE KIND OF FEELINGS SOMEBODY ELSE MIGHT HAVE IN TERMS OF THAT MICRO AGGRESSION?

>> SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC, RHONDA, AND WE TOO HAVE READ THE SURVEY AND ARE JUST AS FOCUSED ON THE IMPLICATIONS IDENTIFIED THERE.

AS HUMANS, WE ALL HAVE BIAS.

IT COMES FROM JUST OUR CUMULATIVE LIFE EXPERIENCES WE HAVE.

SO BIASES AREN'T NECESSARILY INHERENTLY BAD.

BUT THE RECOGNITION THAT WHEN IT COMES TO HOW WE HIRE, HOW WE PROMOTE, WHO WE TRAIN, THOSE EXPERIENCES COME TO PLAY.

SO THE WAY WE'RE GOING AFTER THIS IS THROUGH EDUCATION.

WE SPENT THE LAST YEAR WITH OUR TOP 200 LEADERS IN THE COMPANY, GOING THROUGH INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING, HELPING US BEST TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR, UNDERSTAND THE BIASES WE BRING TO THE TABLE, AND THEN UNDERSTANDING HOW TO OPEN OUR MINDS, HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND OUR DIFFERENCES AND MAKE SURE WE'RE INTERRUPTING THOSE BIASES WHERE THEY MAY BE GETTING IN THE WAY OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

>> SHEILA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND TALKING WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU, RHONDA.

>>> THIS WEEK WE ALSO CONNECTED WITH ONE MAN WHO IS FIGHTING AGAINST BIAS HE HAS PERSONALLY FACED ON THE JOB.

DARNELL WILLIAMS IS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS, AND A BROKER OWNER OF DESTINY REALTY IN MORRISTOWN.

HIS MISSION, HE WANTS TO DIVERSITY THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY WHILE INCREASING BLACK HOME OWNERSHIP.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S BIAS IN YOUR INDUSTRY?

>> THERE IS MOST DEFINITELY BIAS, MOST DEAF IN ITSLY PREJUDGE.

EVERY DAY I GET UP, PUT ON A COLLARED SHIRT, MY JACKET, GO TO WORK, YET SOME PEOPLE WILL NOT USE THE -- THE BROKERAGES, THEY WILL NOT USE THE BLACK AGENT ON PREJUDGMENT.

PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS.

WHICH IS TOTALLY UNTRUE IN THE INDUSTRY AS FAR AS BLACK REAL ESTATE AGENTS ARE CONCERNED, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE SAYING THAT GOES ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO PREVIEW YOUR HOME ON A CARAVAN, WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO SHOW YOUR HOME, I JUST EXPERIENCED THAT IN A TOWN NEAR ME.

SO HEY, IT IS THERE.

IT IS MAYBE NOT AS BLATANT AS IT ONCE WAS, BUT IT IS THERE.

>> HOW DOES THAT CHANGE?

IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM FAIR IF A PLAYING FIELD ISN'T LEVEL AND YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING?

>> IT'S NOT, AND IT'S VERY HARD.

AND THAT'S WHAT I SAID IN THE VERY BEGINNING, THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING -- THE NEW CANDIDATES, THE NEW STUDENTS, THE NEW PROFESSIONALS, THE NEW LICENSEES ARE HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES IN THE INDUSTRY.

I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS ALMOST 30 YEARS, SO I MEAN, I HAVE THE BASE OF MY FOUNDATION, BUT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING A VERY HARD TIME.

I THINK THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE, THROUGH EDUCATION.

AND THE NEXT THING IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE HOW WE GOT IN THIS POSITION IS THROUGH SOME GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION.

FOUR OUT OF THE TEN BLACK PEOPLE YOU SEE OWN HOMES.

ONLY FOUR OUT OF THE TEN THAT YOU SEE AT WORK, AT THE YMCA, THE GYM, THE SUPERMARKET, KING'S, SHOP RIGHT, KROGERS, WHATEVER IT IS.

SO THEREFORE, THE EDUCATION HAS TO BE THERE.

EVERYBODY HAS GOT TO WORK IN CONCERT TOGETHER TO ACTUALLY MOVE THIS NEEDLE.

>> HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ADVANCING AN AGENDA IN WHICH HOME OWNERSHIP IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE WHO QUALIFIES AND WANTS TO BE IN A HOME?

>> WELL, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, RHONDA, THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HAVE TO PLAY SOME ROLE.

THEY HAVE TO PLAY SOME ROLE.

BUT THEN IT'S ALSO UP TO THE ACTUAL LICENSEES AND THE INDUSTRY TO GIVE SOME INPUT.

WE DID SKIP A GENERATION WHO AREN'T CONCERNED ABOUT HOME OWNERSHIP.

IT'S NOT JUST THE MILLENNIALS, IT'S 40 AND 50-YEAR-OLD FOLKS OUT HERE THAT DON'T OWN A HOME BUT DRIVE A NICE CAR.

YOU KNOW IT, WHETHER YOU'RE BLACK, WHITE, WHATEVER, WE KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS A NICE CAR OR TRUCK BUT LIVES WITH THEIR MOTHER AND FATHER, SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SHOW OUR HOMES IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE AFRAID AND IF THEAPPRAISERS, I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN ARTICLES OUT THERE, PEOPLE HAVE CALLED ME UP, THE APPRAISERS ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE IT A FAIR SHOT AND THEY'RE GOING TO PLAY IN A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

I HAD A CLIENT CALL ME UP IN A MORRIS COUNTY HOME, LIVES THERE, BOUGHT IT SIX, EIGHT YEARS AGO, HE WANTED TO GET AN APPRAISAL DONE, HE ASKED ME -- I WAS SO SHOEKED, HE ASKED ME, SHOULD I TAKE DOWN MY PICTURES AND HAVE MY FRIEND FROM WORK COME OVER WHEN THE APPRAISER COMES OVER.

TIME AFTER TIME WE'RE SEEING WE'RE NOT GETTING A FAIR SHAKE ON THE APPRAISALS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT NUMBER, WHEN YOU MAKE A LEFT ON SPRINGFIELD AVENUE AND A RIGHT ON MARTIN LUTHER KING WHERE IT GETS DEVALUED SO MUCH.

SO THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> YOU SHARED A LOT WITH ME, I APPRECIATE IT.

IT LEAVES ME A LOT TO THINK ABOUT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DARNELL WILLIAMS ISN'T ALOIN -- ALONE IN THINKING EDUCATION WILL HELP WITH A GREATER UNDERSTANDING.

CAROL MURPHY BELIEVES THAT TOO AND LED THE EFFORT TO REQUIRE NEW JERSEY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TEACH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

WE'RE FOCUSSING THIS WEEK ON BIAS AND DIVERSITY IN THE WORK PLACE AND WHILE COMPANIES ARE KIND OF MANAGING THROUGH THAT RIGHT NOW, YOU ACTUALLY PUT FORWARD A BILL THAT IS NOW LAW THAT WILL KIND OF ADDRESS THAT FOR THE FUTURE.

TELL ME ABOUT THE BILL THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY WE'RE EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THE BILL ALLOWS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A CURRICULUM FOR SCHOOLS, K THROUGH 12 TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY, TO PROMOTE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEIR CLASSMATES, TO PROMOTE THE FACT THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AND LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD AS SOMEONE ELSE TO BE DIFFERENT BUT STILL HAVE THAT RESPECT.

AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING.

IT'S ABOUT RESPECTING OUR PEERS, WHETHER IT'S A SCHOOL OR EVEN AS THEY GET OLDER THROUGH, YOU KNOW, 12th GRADE, TO GO INTO COLLEGE, THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOME TYPE OF DIVERSITY THAT THEY WILL EACH BE FACING, AND THEY SHOULD BE RESPECTFUL OF IT AND LEARN THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

>> TELL ME HOW THE BILL CAME ABOUT IN TERMS OF WERE YOU CONTACTED BY CONSTITUENTS OR DID YOU LEARN OF INCIDENTS THAT KIND OF RAISED YOUR CONCERN?

>> WITH THE GEORGE FLOYD MATTER AND THE BLACK LIVES MATTER, AND ATTENDING MANY OF THE RALLIES THAT HAVE GONE ACROSS MY DISTRICT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THOUGHT WAS SO INTRIGUING WAS BEING ABLE TO WALK WITH THE STUDENTS, STANDING WITH THEM AND SUPPORTING THEM, ONE THING I ENJOYED THE MOST WAS LISTENING TO THEM.

TRYING TO PUT MYSELF IN THEIR SHOES.

LISTENING TO WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING.

AND LAST YEAR, AT ONE OF THE RALLIES, A COUNCILMAN THAT I WORK WITH HERE IN MOUNT LAUREL HAD APPROACHED ME AND SAID, LOOK, THERE'S SOME -- YOU KNOW, PARENTS IN ONE OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAS SOME ISSUES AND HE SHOWED ME A LIST OF TEXTS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT.

AND I READ THEM, AND I WAS JUST SO HORRIFIED AT SOME OF THE LANGUAGE THAT WAS BEING USED IN SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS.

WE MET WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THE PARENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.

AND I PUT THE BILL IN THAT WAS BASED UPON, HEY, IF IT'S HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS, THERE'S A DISCONNECT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, GOOD TALKING WITH YOU.

>> YOU TOO, THANK YOU.

>>> AND THAT WRAPS UP OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

I'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>>> FUNDING FOR NBC PROVIDED BY, NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WORKING TO KEEP NEW JERSEY IN BUSINESS.

ONLINE AT NJCHAMBER.COM.

CGI, A GLOBAL I.T.

AND BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICES FIRM.

WE HAVE BEEN HELPING GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE SECTOR CLIENTS IN NEW JERSEY WITH THEIR EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS FOR 30 YEARS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES AT CGI.COM.

NJBIA HAS BEEN THE VOICE OF BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN 110 YEARS AND IS BUILT TO SERVE OUR MEMBERS IN TODAY'S NEW NORMAL.

NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, WHERE BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

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VISIT IBEW102.ORG.

♪