Sign In
Free Newsletter
Legislation to address Disparity Study advances in Trenton
While the action is welcome, "intent and outcome are two different things," African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey CEO John Harmon pointed out, as he and other business leaders welcome more opportunities to collaborate.
Lawmakers shine a light on study of contracting disparity in NJ
A pair of hearings in Trenton elicited testimony highlighting a recent report that revealed significant differences in public contracting opportunities for minority- and women-owned business enterprises in New Jersey.
Minority- and women-owned Blossom Dispensary opens in Jersey City (photos)
The accredited MWBE enterprise is run by longtime resident Bina Bhatt and Parvinder Kaur, who has worked in Massachusetts’ legalized cannabis industry.
Husband-wife duo preps South Jersey dispensary launch
Located in a former TD Bank branch in Blackwood, Flower & Flame will begin welcoming customers March 29.
OPINION: How WBE certification can help women make their mark
This Women's History Month, BFI Furniture President and CEO Kate Kerpchar explores how the Women Business Enterprise designation can help create opportunity.
Morris County getting 2nd cannabis dispensary (updated)
A certified Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE), Holistic Re-Leaf in Rockaway will begin welcoming customers March 15.
Invest Newark launches program for minority-owned businesses
The first virtual session of the Black Bunker program, designed to help minority-owned businesses thrive, takes place on Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Prudential to give its Devils helmet placement to Black-owned biz for 13 games
Companies can submit applications for the 2021-22 season starting Oct. 13, with the winner to be named in mid-November and to appear on helmets starting in December.
‘Just because’
“There’s power in spreading joy. The world is not always flowers and sunshine but even when it’s difficult you can find something to celebrate,” says SaVonne Anderson, the creator of sustainable stationary company Aya Paper Co., which will be available at Whole Foods and Nordstrom locations nationwide come October.
23 NJ businesses finish program to steer public contracts to minority-owned firms
The Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program, which aims to help "small business owners compete for city, county, and state contracts and expand their portfolios of projects,” launched in 2018 as a joint venture between the NJEDA and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
A longer road
Studies have shown that pandemic-related restrictions had more profound effects on establishments owned by Hispanics and African Americans, and many shut their doors at a higher rate than those with white owners. In addition, federal relief loans were slower or more difficult to get into the hands of minority business owners.
Where to look
In 2014 there was no localized repository for New Jersey-based Black businesses, so Natasha Bray founder of New Jersey Black Businesses, made her own. “I thought, if not me, then who? ... I knew that I was always intentional when I was supporting Black-owned businesses. I knew it was important for our community in terms of bridging the wealth gap and creating jobs for people and contributing to [...]
