Rick Wade
Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Outreach
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Honored for taking a national leadership position on diversity and inclusion initiatives on behalf of the American business community, and codifying the actions and goals of this initiative in the Equal Opportunity Agenda.

Darrell Edmonds
Executive Director
Friday is Tie Day

Honored for founding Friday is Tie Day, a non-profit that mentors African American youth by imbuing the with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their life outcomes – both personally and professionally. Friday Is Tie Day is geared towards young men in grades 8-12. The program encourages the young men to wear ties to school on Friday and make a deliberate effort to dress and act like gentlemen.

John Harmon
Founder, President and CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ

Honored for a lifetime of leadership and advocacy in the cause of equality for black business executives and black businesses in New Jersey. The honor will include presentation of $35K check to the African American Chamber.

Pascale Sykes Foundation

Honored for decades of work championing the “whole family approach” so working families can stabilize themselves and create the circle of support essential to achieving long-term success. The Foundation opened its doors in 1992 out of a belief that all members of a family — adults and children — can achieve and maintain a stable, supportive environment if they have the tools and support network to cope with short-term stresses and issues.

Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey (JAG NJ)

JAG NJ will be honored for its ongoing work serving young adults to develop valuable workforce skills so they are prepared for post-secondary education, certification, military service, and/or employment.