The College of New Jersey recently hosted the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s third annual Juneteenth Black Business Expo on June 12, 2025. The event, themed “Resilience is Our Heritage,” aimed to highlight African American entrepreneurship and economic empowerment while honoring the legacy of Black Wall Street.
Over 50 corporations, Black-owned businesses, community partners, and state agencies participated in the expo held at the Brower Student Center. Notable speakers included New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Chamber President John Harmon, and TCNJ President Michael Bernstein.
“We were honored to host this vibrant celebration of culture, entrepreneurship, and community leadership,” Bernstein stated. He emphasized that TCNJ is committed to values like equity, access, and inclusion.
Governor Murphy reflected on his previous decision to make Juneteenth a holiday in New Jersey. “Five years ago, I had the privilege of signing legislation declaring Juneteenth a holiday in New Jersey,” he said. “The story of New Jersey’s Black business community is a testament — true to the theme for this year’s Expo — to the power of ‘resilience.’ Together, we are building a future in which every New Jerseyan…has the opportunity to rise and thrive.”
The expo featured various activities including exhibit halls, financial planning sessions, business matchmaking opportunities, panel discussions, a networking reception, and a keynote address by Boyce Watkins—best-selling author and founder of The Black Business School.
Major sponsors for the event included Prudential, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Electra Grid, Citizens Bank, PSEG (Public Service Enterprise Group), United Airlines, Meritain Health (an Aetna Company), and Ocean First Bank.
