ROI Influencers: People of Color 2021 — Nos. 21-30
21 Ken Frazier
Executive chairman
Merck
Frazier retired as CEO on June 30 and it’s unclear how much impact he will have as executive chairman during a transition period, but his impact and influence in New Jersey figures...
ROI Influencers: People of Color 2021 — Difference Makers, N-S
Taneshia Nash Laird
CEO
Newark Symphony Hall
She is using her position as head of the historic performing arts center to be a social change agent and community developer by expanding programming to respond to community needs...
ROI-NJ reveals the 2021 ROI Influencers: People of Color
We started the ROI Influencers: People of Color list three years ago in an effort to show just how many talented people of color there are in the state.
Last year, we made it our...
ROI Influencers: People of Color 2021 — Difference Makers, A-C
Shawn Abner-Purnell
Vice president, diversity, inclusion & engagement
South Jersey Industries
Through career development programs, diversity & inclusion efforts and employee engagement, Abner-Purnell creates a culture of inclusion for all — one where every employee can feel...
ROI Influencers: People of Color 2021 — No. 1
John Harmon
Founder, CEO and president
African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J
We don’t necessarily aim to give the No. 1 honor on our ROI Influencers lists to the same person in consecutive years. With so...
ROI Influencers: People of Color 2021 — Difference Makers, K-M
Armond Kinsey
VP, chief diversity officer
Atlantic Health System
Takes the lead on diversity & inclusion strategy, the diversity council, supplier diversity, corporate social responsibility and other initiatives — with a special emphasis on diversity recruitment and...
ROI Influencers: People of Color 2021 — Nos. 11-20
11 Mo Butler
Partner
Mercury
He’s a partner at one of the most influential public affairs firms in the state, represents and advises some of the state’s biggest politicians (Booker and Baraka), biggest companies and biggest developers while...
ROI Influencers: People of Color 2021 — Difference Makers, D-F
Michellene Davis
Thought leader, speaker, board member
Various organizations
She left a top position at RWJBarnabas Health to become CEO at New York-based National Medical Fellowships, but she maintains a strong presence in the state, where she...
ROI Influencers: People of Color 2021 — Difference Makers, G-J
Rudy Garcia
President
MBI-GluckShaw
Few in the state understand the intersection of business and politics as well as Garcia, a longtime go-to leader for many. At MBI, he manages issues covering roadway improvement, environment, commercial development and...
ROI Influencers: People of Color 2020 (Difference Makers, A to C)
Ras Baraka, Cory Booker and Mo Butler appeared in our Top 25 rankings. View them here.
Mahalaxmi Aburi
Director, Atlantic Center for Research
Atlantic Health System
Aburi is the director of a research arm located at Morristown Medical...
