Eight New Jersey businesses and a business leader were recognized for their progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) at the third annual DE&I Trailblazer Awards reception. The event was co-hosted by the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce on November 14.
“These are the companies and organizations that don’t just support DE&I, they are setting measurable equity and inclusion goals and meeting them,” said John E. Harmon Sr., IOM, founder, president & CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. “They are making a difference. We applaud these trailblazers and encourage their counterparts in the business community to work toward similar measurable goals.”
Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, added: “We are honoring the companies that are walking the walk. We are recognizing and celebrating the DE&I champions who are meeting the challenge and challenging the status quo.”
The awards ceremony at Pines Manor in Edison highlighted honorees excelling in areas such as access to capital, board diversity, corporate citizenship, supplier diversity, and workforce diversity. A 'Statewide DE&I Champion' award was presented to a company excelling across nearly all categories of DE&I; while a 'DE&I Influencer' award went to an outstanding business leader.
Virtua Health received recognition for 'Board Diversity', with its board comprising 41% people of color and 35% women. In addition to this achievement, Virtua's senior leadership team is composed of 55% women and 22% people of color.
New Jersey Community Capital won in 'Access to Capital'. The nonprofit provided $58 million in new loans during fiscal 2023, with 55% supporting minority borrowers from underrepresented communities.
American Water was awarded for 'Supplier Diversity', having increased spending on diverse suppliers by 25% over three years.
Comcast earned accolades for 'Corporate Citizenship' through its $1 billion initiative against digital inequity.
Huntler Management received recognition in 'Corporate Citizenship – Small Business', focusing on community impact beyond industry leadership.
CGI was acknowledged for its inclusive culture under 'Workforce Diversity'. It partners with local schools to mentor students from underserved communities pursuing STEM careers.
Langan also won under 'Workforce Diversity', boasting a workforce comprised significantly by women and people of color compared to industry averages.
Leon Baptiste received the ‘DE&I Influencer’ award as president of LB Electric Company for his contributions both within his firm and broader community initiatives focused on renewable energy training.
Hackensack Meridian Health was named ‘Statewide DE&I Champion’, noted for embedding diversity into its mission resulting in significant increases in supplier diversity spending.
Over two months leading up to this event, nominees were evaluated based on how they prioritized diversity within their strategies across various sectors including healthcare services or construction industries among others listed below:
- American Water
- AmeriHealth
- BND Consulting
- Center for Family Services
- CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc.
- Comcast
- Electra Lines LLC
- Elevate 360 LLC
- Emergency Pest Control
- Empower Construction LLC
- Hackensack Meridian Health
- Huntler LLC
- Langan
- LB Electric Co., LLC
- New Jersey Community Capital
- New Jersey Department Of State
- Quality Dental School Of Technology Inc.
- Qunnections Management Group LLC
- South Jersey Industries
- Virtua Health
- We Are Jersey
