- Support for this program was provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

Berkeley College education drives opportunity.

Be inspired.

- Hello, this is John Harmon, founder, president, and c e o of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

I want to welcome you to a special presentation today present on Pathway to Success.

I wanna talk about our inaugural Juneteenth Black Business Expo that was held at Montclair State University.

You know, it was also our 16th anniversary and we had a chance to really showcase black excellence.

There was so much inspiration throughout the day.

Today represents our resiliency because that happened then.

But we're still here.

- The African-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Juneteenth Black Business Expo 2023, A legacy of excellence.

We survived the middle passage.

We survived the horrors of slavery.

Since Africans have been on this soil, we have survived and persevered under the most extreme conditions, freedom.

Yet throughout it all, we persevered to behold that joyful day called Juneteenth.

We learned how to make a way out of no way.

As time passed, we were able to seize more opportunities and began developing our legacy of creating entrepreneurial excellence in this country.

Born into slavery, Booker t Washington was an American educator, author, auditor, and advisor to several United States.

Presidents.

Washington was a proponent of African-American businesses and a founder of the National Negro Business League.

He called for progress through education and entrepreneurship.

In that same spirit of entrepreneurial independence in the early 19 hundreds, Madam CJ Walker became the first black female millionaire with her beauty empire.

- I got my start by giving myself a start.

I'm a woman who came from the cotton fields of the south.

From there I was promoted to the wash tub.

From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen, and from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations.

I have built my own factory on my own ground.

- This bold statement is a testament to the spirit that led to the success of many African Americans to follow.

Black Wall Street is symbolic of hope, personal and economic success.

Doctors, lawyers, surgeons, pilots, jewelers, business owners, all the confirmation of the entrepreneurial drive and spirit of the Greenwood residents who worked together and thrived in the face of racism and segregation In the early 19 hundreds, on the shoulders of dozens of trailblazing and unstoppable African-American figures, this legacy of excellence continues to move us forward.

The African-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is proud, inspired, and dedicated to continuing this legacy.

Our future is bright.

We have come a long way.

Let's keep moving forward.

Let's keep raising the bar.

Let's keep lifting as we climb.

- Welcome everyone to the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey's, Juneteenth Black Business Expo 2023.

Let us all be a part of a legacy of excellence.

This video that you just saw, it really talks about the TMO of our ancestors.

We were taken from Africa, placed on the ship, chained and shackled, had to forego our culture, and then given an unfortunate new life of slavery, a life that produced generational wealth for a multitude of people.

There's no denying of that even though some are currently trying to do that.

But coming out of slavery post the Emancipation Proclamation, we had leaders like Booker t Washington who felt that we had to get these enslaved people who are now free into the US economy as best we can.

That led to the founding of Black Wall Street, where many of our black ancestors started businesses, barbershops, banks, insurance companies, hotels.

That was the envy of many.

And and I think that contributed to the massacre that we'll never forget.

You know, coming through Black Wall Street in the 1920s, dealing with Jim Crow segregation, and then the, the passing of the Civil Rights Act, which in my opinion really got black people in the US economy in a meaningful way.

Laws that were holding people accountable for wrongdoing or injustices towards blacks.

We then start to look at business reflecting back on what Booker t Washington had stood up.

The US Chamber was founded in 1912.

Booker t Washington started in 1900, which led to the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

And then in 2007 you had the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, which I'm humbled every day that God gave me the vision to put forth a mission that would heighten the awareness of the value proposition of blacks in New Jersey.

In partnership with mainstream New Jersey, both the public in the private sector.

Today we have north of 850 businesses that call the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, their chamber.

And, and working with this collection of large corporations, financial services institutions, large businesses, small businesses, retail businesses, wholesale operators, even cannabis businesses.

We are now a significant part of the state's economy.

And what you saw during this Juneteenth Black Business Expo was the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey on full display.

If you think about the vision of Booker t Washington, you think about Fred McKinley Jones, who created refrigeration air conditioning systems.

Think about blood plasma, you think about Lewis Latimer, who created the filament to go on the light bulb that helped Thomas Edison's invention really sustain itself and have relevance today.

Y you go on and on, you think about the gas mask, you think about the traffic light, you think about some of the designing of Washington dc Black people, were all a part of that success is in our d n a.

And so I'm here to remind you are a part of a very long legacy of black excellence.

Success is in your D n A and it only takes you to realize that and look around you and see, we have succeeded in so many different areas.

Some time ago I said we should do a black expo.

So, you know, as I I reflect now 26 years as a Chamber of Commerce executive, I'm constantly thinking about, you know, how do we showcase the excellence of black people from an historical perspective, celebrate our history, our cuisine, our innovation, our ability to be very productive citizens in New Jersey and throughout this country, and how do we bring that forward in a way that is appreciated even now?

And I thought if we had a black expo, Booker t Washington founded the Negro Business League in 1900, and many of those descendants went to Tulsa, Oklahoma and started the Black Wall Street.

And now, several years later, we have the African American Chamber of Commerce in New Jersey dealing with some of this same challenges, the tomo, the headwinds that we don't have the wherewithal to provide value.

We don't, or we cannot do things at the same level as others in this country.

But we thought, and I thought that if we would host a black expo to bring our corporate members in the room, to have some discussions with our members from a, a matchmaking perspective with the hope that they may have a chance to compete for opportunities.

You know, as the leader of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, you know, I set the vision and, you know, as I'm contemplating and, and working through my mind how this idea can be implemented and brought to fruition.

Yeah, I remember talking to Jacqueline Baptiste, who's the executive assistant to me and about this, this vision and Ralph Weaver from East West Connections, who, who's the guy who's responsible for overseeing the production and putting all the pieces together and see it all coming together.

It's just, it, it is unbelievable.

And I'm looking forward to spending the day on June 15th just enjoying it and interacting with the people that are gonna participate.

This is gonna be a great show and I'm excited to be a part of it.

But now we'll take a break on Pathway to Success and we'll come back and talk in more detail about this successful Juneteenth Black Business Expo.

- The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is your pathway to success.

We encourage you to visit our website@www.accj.com - Or call us at (609) 571-1620.

We are your strategic partner for success.

What a great, what a great confluence of things happening.

You've got the Juneteenth recognition coming together with a celebration of African American business at a fantastic university that's dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes for all people of New Jersey, with a particular attention to underserved communities that haven't had full access to the educational resources and the opportunities that come with it.

If you don't give people opportunities to get rich, to create better lives for their families, to build better communities, then you're not delivering on the promise of freedom.

- 1, 2, 3, - Let the game begin.

Welcome back to The Pathway to Success.

I'm John Harmon, founder, president and c e o of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

You know, our Juneteenth Black Business Expo was truly a successful number of reasons We could not have been as successful as we were without effective collaboration.

There were so many people behind the scenes that contributed to the success of this event.

We really appreciate you all.

You know, Jacqueline Baptist was, was given the charge to, to lead and, and execute this event.

I wanna thank Ralph Weaver of East West connections with his amazing team who helped us coordinate and execute the program from start to finish.

Governor Murphy not only showed up, but showed out.

I thought his remarks were, were spot on.

Today - Is also about the future.

It is about empowerment and coming together as a community to lift each other up together.

We're building a stronger - And - Fairer New Jersey where everyone has the opportunity to realize their dreams.

- The cameo presentations from one of the nation's black billionaires Robert Smith.

I thought he did a phenomenal job.

He's the c e o and Chairman of Equity Partners.

- It is a true honor to deliver these remarks on the eve of Juneteenth the day with great significance to our community.

We've come a long way from that first Juneteenth, and it is great to see on occasions like this we can share our story, celebrate achievements and share lessons learned.

It also serves as an opportunity to recognize that none of us will be where we are today without the long line of leaders came before and fought the fight.

- Talk about Hackensack Meridian Health, who kinda had their expo inside of an expo.

The many vendors, many sponsors, government officials, and the president of Montclair State University and all the staff and security, they were amazing hosts and we owe you all a debt of gratitude.

The business corner where there was a lot of conversations.

You know, we've gotten a lot of positive feedback about this event.

I've been talking and, and just celebrating the Great Body of work, this great presentation from our inaugural Juneteenth Black Business Expo.

But don't take my word for it.

There are a number of people that were happy to share their experience and we're gonna bring a few of them to you right now.

- Good to see so many black businesses come together, especially during Juneteenth.

It shows how much talent we have, how much we have to offer the Black Business Expo.

It's been breath, fresh air, seeing other individuals like me and what I could - Possibly transpire - Into.

I'd like to say congratulations to the organization, to all those who participated.

And I wanna say thank you.

Today is just so important at congratulations to the entire African American Chamber.

16 years, I can't believe it.

We are so proud of what this chamber has achieved and we are continuing in the fight for economic justice because black business is an integral part of society of American fabric.

Black dollars are the economic fuel of the, of the world.

And the African-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey exists to sustain those black-owned businesses.

- Think about the historical context.

It is so important.

Black Wall Street and what fellow entrepreneurs did at the turn of the century.

And then you look at the evolution and we stand on the shoulders of their accomplishment.

And that's what really motivates me to continue as a business owner.

- You know, there's so many parts of this event.

You know, we had a historic exhibit that really spoke to and showcased what occurred in, in Greenwood, the, the, the triumph and the tragedy.

But to hear some of this historical accounts of the businesses and the, the men and women behind those enterprises was something that was, it was the not only heart wrenching, but it also was motivating.

But those who, who viewed it Black Wall Street on full display, it showed our prosperous black business district of Greenwood, although they're gone, but they're not forgotten because men and women today were reflecting on their ancestry and how that motivated them to believe that they too could run a successful enterprise.

Our very own Chris Daniel, who, who's a producer of Pathway to Success, probably one of the most creative persons I've ever met.

He set up an l e d presentation, a lot of information, all of which added to a very engaging, very enlightening, very inspirational day.

You know, they say it takes a village to raise a child.

Well, it took a village to really pull this production off.

We were pleased to work closely with Michelle Murdoch.

She was from the, the Greenwood Cultural Center, and she provided us with photographs that we probably would not have been able to obtain on our own.

But one of the most important things that she shared with us was the sense of unity that took place with the businesses, the black businesses of Greenwood, Oklahoma.

You know, it was not about me get in mind, but it was about us all winning those who started businesses once they got them going, pooled money together to help others start businesses, patronize other businesses.

So Ms. Burd ex, we thank you for contributing to the success of our inaugural Juneteenth Black Business Expo here in New Jersey.

And we could not have pulled it off without your contribution, so we're very grateful.

- Hello, greetings from the Greenwood Cultural Center at the Historic Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

My name is Michelle Brown Verex and I'm the program coordinator for the Greenwood Cultural Center.

The Greenwood Cultural Center is the keeper of the flame for the history of the historic Greenwood District.

We acknowledge and recognize the important history of Black Wall Street and the 1921 Tulsa race massacre through ongoing exhibits, tours, performances, lectures, et cetera.

Our work is not only critical, it is necessary because so many people do not know enough about black history.

We want people to know that there's more to black history, the story of African Americans in our country than slavery and the Civil rights movement.

We want them to know that we are people who have been brilliant entrepreneurs, that we have built a successful black-owned business district in this country, not once, but numerous times throughout the country.

So it's important to us that our nation and our future generation knows about the history of the Historic Green District.

We are proud to tell the story of the black entrepreneurs, men and women who built the historic Black Wall Street in the early 1920s during a time when they were dealing with and faced with segregation, a lack of resources, a lack of opportunity.

When we have spoken with our survivors and asked how they were able to build this thriving black-owned business district, they said that they had such a love for self and a love for a community that when one person got their business up and off the ground, they would grab the hand of their brother or sister And pull them up alongside them.

There may never be an actual Black Wall Street.

However, that mentality, that mindset of loving and respecting ourselves and our culture, and loving and respecting our people and each other, and being able to support black entrepreneurship throughout our country, we can do that and we must do that.

It's important that we pay homage and tribute to those black entrepreneurs that endured and were able to succeed through all of the challenges that they overcame in honor of those black entrepreneurs that came before us, that laid the foundation and the groundwork for us.

It's important that we tell their story, that we learn from their blueprint, and that we continue to support each other as black entrepreneurs, Greenwood Founders, JB Stratford and o w Gurley believed in their community.

They loved their community, they loved black people, and they came to this area with the intent to help support entrepreneurs, to support black business owners by opening doors, sharing resources, supporting and encouraging one another.

And in such a short amount of time, they were able to create one of the most prosperous black-owned business districts in the country.

We encouraged that position, that mentality of encouraging and supporting one another from Tulsa, Oklahoma, from the historic Greenwood District.

We support you as you continue to elevate black entrepreneurship in your journey.

Know that we have love and respect for you and we wish you all of the best.

- You know, as Ms. Burks was articulating the sense of community, the sense of camaraderie, the sense of collaboration, the the sense of all working together for the greater good was similar to the principles of Kwanza and black people today should reflect on those principles and try to find a way back to that.

You know, with this recent affirmative action decision, unity is critically important right now.

Thank you for tuning into our special edition of Halfway to Success.

I'm your host, John Harmon, founder, president, and c e o of the African American Chamber of Commerce in New Jersey.

The message for the day is the importance of black excellence.

We can't lose sight of the fact you had a people that came to America as slaves, and then we had Jim Crow, we had bombings of Greenwood, Oklahoma had bombings of Rosewood and Florida, and some notwithstanding, all the tmo, all the opposition, all the adversity.

In the words of my Angelo, we still rise.

Black people have within them a resolve that's like no other black people have.

Within them, a level of empathy and willingness to coexist even with those who oppressed them, which I think is a rather unique quality.

We see laws struck down day in and day out, but we still find a way to make brick out a straw.

Some of America's most thriving enterprises, sports, entertainment, construction, architecture, engineering, cuisine, we are there.

So we're here today and we're here to stay.

But it would be great if more people would acknowledge that we're better together.

God has given us a certain quality to find a better pathway forward.

I'm your host, John Harmon, founder, president and c e o of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

Thank you for tuning in.

- The court for this program was provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Berkeley College Education drives opportunity.

Be inspired.