Groups serving underserved (and undervalued) communities are doing plenty to help them succeed. The state is not.
It’s one thing to take years to produce a disparity study. Another to do little in nearly a year since it was released.
We’ll leave that here as we reveal the Ten Top stories about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
No. 10: Penaranda Leaves Pride
Gus Penaranda was the face of the franchise for the group. He was the driving force behind N.J. becoming the first state in the country to certify LGBTQ+ businesses as an underserved group – a huge deal. (See that story in our economic development list). He also brought a FIFA event on its antidiscrimination initiative to William Paterson – the only such panel FIF did in the country. A huge get for the state, William Paterson and the chamber.
Read our exclusive here on Penaranda leaving here.
Read our story on the LGBTQ+ law passing here.
Read our story on the FIFA panel (which were honored to moderate) here.
No. 9: Puerto Rican Pride
Saint Peter’s Prep basketball stars are using an NIL deal to start a clothing company that honors legacy of Puerto Rican players.
Read our story here.
No. 8: The Unicorn
Sankofa Duncan is a Black, female developer. That makes her a unicorn. She wants to be a role model. (Following in the footsteps of Adenah Bayoh.)
Read her story here.
Duncan is not the only one leading the way.
Read our story on BLOC (Black Ladies of Construction) here.
No. 7: The case to Hire the Neurodiverse
Looking for employees? Have you considered the neurodiverse? If you have not, you’re like most other companies – and you’re missing out. We wrote about a movement to change this.
Read the story here.
No. 6: Where DEI Still Thrives
A tip of the hat to the Prudential Center and the Devils. Going against a national trend, they have continually shown a willingness to be a leader in activities that support and promote underserved communities.
The N.J. State Chamber feels the same way. For the third consecutive year, it partnered with the African American Chamber to honor companies who are leading the way.
Read our story on HBSE here.
Read our story on the State Chamber/African American Chamber event here.
No. 5: Fighting the Good Fight
The Institute for Social Justice celebrated its 25th anniversary by talking about all it can achieve in the next 25 years – in N.J. and around the country.
Read our story here.
No. 4: Supporting Female Entrepreneurs
In a soon-to-be majority-minority state, helping the fastest-growing entrepreneurial community (females) is vital to future success. A look at how the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship does it.
Read our story here.
No. 3: On Trump and Tariffs
Lilia Rios is an importer – and an immigrant from Mexico. Hear her views on tariffs (bad) and Trump (not so bad).
Read the story here.
No. 2: Always on Guard
For the Jewish community, Oct. 7 is reminder that security is 365-day concern – and that educating the public is a job that never stops.
Read our story here on how security unit of Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey provides advance level of protection.
Read our story here on efforts to bring a mobile museum of tolerance to New Jersey.
No. 1: Show Us the Money
At disparity study town hall, minority leaders make a call to action that starts with the most basic premise — getting access to contracts that exist but are going to others.
