For Information Contact:

Jacqueline E. Baptiste

African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Media@aaccnj.com

www.aaccnj.com

609-571-1620

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 28, 2024

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Announces that Governor Phil Murphy will make remarks at  

 Juneteenth Black Business Expo at Fairleigh Dickinson University

(TRENTON, NJ – May 28, 2024) The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces that Governor Phil Murphy will make remarks as a Special Guest Speaker at their Juneteenth Black Business Expo on June 13th, at 10:15 a.m., at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ, in the Bogota Savings Bank Center.

“We are pleased with Governor Murphy’s attendance, it is significant to have his participation at the Juneteenth Black Business Expo for the second consecutive year,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ. “The Governor will be joining the AACCNJ to recognize Juneteenth and extend his support for the mission of the AACCNJ as we embark on our 17th year of advocacy and coalescing relationships that strengthen the competitiveness of NJ. Our ultimate goal is to work with the Murphy Administration and the private sector in New Jersey to create a transformational collaboration based on acknowledgment, focus, intentionality and excellence”, said Harmon.

The 2024 Expo themed "The Journey Continues" will be a dynamic, educational, and collaborative event focusing on entrepreneurship, and the economic and cultural empowerment of underperforming communities. The Juneteenth Expo provides a forum to highlight African American entrepreneurs from various business sectors along with over fifty corporations, Black owned businesses, community partners and state agencies will display their products and services in a transformed exhibit space that incorporates the history of Black Wall Street, and black entrepreneurial excellence.

Retired NFL Veteran, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Malcolm Jenkins will serve as the Keynote Speaker, in a fireside chat with CEO John Harmon.

The Black Business Expo will also feature a health and wellness fair by Premier Sponsor Hackensack Meridian Health. Premier Exhibitor, Johnson & Johnson, will feature a Pitch Contest for participating businesses, Elite Exhibitors include Davis EIS, Horizon Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NJ, Lakeland Bank, Citizens Bank, East West Connections, Valley National Bank & Cross Riverbank.

There are numerous sponsorship and exhibit opportunities designed to appeal to AACCNJ corporate and member companies that will provide a platform to display their services to a large audience. Visit the website https://www.aaccnj.com/black-business-expo.

Juneteenth – History

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with some 2,000 Union troops and the message that slavery would no longer be tolerated in the states. Since 1866 that day’s anniversary—known as Juneteenth, a combination of June and nineteenth—has been celebrated as the symbolic end of American slavery.¹

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c)(3) tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.