Champions of Diversity are Recognized for Their Work to Promote Equal Economic Opportunity in New Jersey
The Sept. 23 Event was the Second in a Series of 'Equal Opportunity Receptions' Produced by the N.J. Chamber and the African American Chamber of N.J.
Champions of Diversity – leaders with great passion, commitment and persistence – were recognized Sept. 23 for their outstanding work to promote equal economic opportunity and diversity in New Jersey. They and their organizations were honored at a reception in Cherry Hill hosted by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
The honorees were Angel Santiago, a fifth-grade teacher at Loring Flemming Elementary School in Gloucester Township, who was named the 2020-2021 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year; Joe Jingoli, CEO of Joseph Jingoli & Son; and Marga Matheny, Emily Dempsey, Judy Austermiller and David Mackenzie, representing Cape May Center for Community Arts.
“I looked for students who possessed two things: A good heart and a willingness to pass the goodwill forward.”
—Angel Santiago
Fifth Grade Teacher, Loring Flemming Elementary School
Angel Santiago, the state teacher of the year, was recognized for establishing the ‘Young People of Character’ program. Its mission is to bring together fourth and fifth grade students from all walks of life to serve their communities, such as writing letters to veterans for Veterans Day, cleaning up the school grounds for Earth Day, and volunteering during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
“When I created Young People of Character, I wasn’t looking for students of certain economic status or minimum academic achievement or the best behaved,” Santiago said at the reception. “I looked for students who possessed two things: A good heart and a willingness to pass the goodwill forward."
He invited three of his students to the stage – kids who participated in his program. Maleke Black, who made virtual holiday cards for residents in a Vineland veterans home; Caden Corsi, who made over 2,000 sandwiches for homeless people to commemorate Martin Luther King Day of Service; and Colin Morris, a graduate of the program who returns to speak to the participants about how the program benefits them as they progress through school and into careers. “They are the future of industry,” Santiago said, "not just for their work ethic, but for their heart. These are your future job candidates.”
“This is not charity, it’s really good business.”
CEO, Joseph Jingoli & Son
Also recognized was Joe Jingoli, CEO of Joseph Jingoli & Son, for his construction company’s signature “Competitive Edge” program used during construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and other projects around the state. The program provides jobs and mentorship to community members so residents, businesses and youth benefit from their presence and involvement. The company seeks local talent – often in urban areas.
As Joe says, “We don’t just begin a project, we become part of the community.” That is why his Competitive Edge program has made a significant impact in communities like Newark, Camden, Atlantic City and New Brunswick.
“This is not charity, it’s really good business,” Jingoli added. “We focus on recruiting and training talent from the communities we build and we want the people working in these communities to have careers in our company.”
“With heightened awareness of racial justice and social equity issues, we believe our work has taken on even greater importance.”
—David Mackenzie
Executive Director, Center for Community Arts
Marga Matheny, Emily Dempsey, Judy Austermiller and David Mackenzie of Center for Community Arts (CCA) in Cape May were recognized for their organization's use of the arts to promote and teach the Black community history of Cape May County. CCA conducts an Underground Railroad trolley tour and works to preserve the Franklin Street School (an elementary school for Cape May’s African-American children in the 1920s) for use as a community cultural center. It also organizes panel discussions, presents African-American Heritage Walking Tours, and administers the growing John T. and Janet D. Nash Archives of African-American History.
“Center for Community Arts, founded by 12 women artists, six African-American and six white, believes in the value of documenting and preserving Cape May’s African-American history, and making it widely available,” said David Mackenzie, executive director of Center for Community Arts. "Now, with heightened awareness of racial justice and social equity issues, we believe our work has taken on even greater importance."
“New Jersey is of the most diverse states. It’s time to make it the most economically inclusive state.”
—John Harmon
President, CEO and Founder
African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J.
“We will challenge businesses in every corner of the state to do their part to change the status quo.”
—Tom Bracken
President and CEO
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
The reception was the latest in a series of 'Equal Opportunity Receptions,’ being produced this fall by the N.J. Chamber and the African American Chamber of N.J. The series will culminate with a dinner gala in Edison on Nov. 10. to celebrate more Champions of Diversity.
The two Chambers are working together to address the economic inequities that exist for Black citizens and Black business owners in the state. They are focusing their efforts chiefly on education, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for people of color.
“These events are not just celebrations, they are part of a mission,” said John Harmon, president, CEO and founder of the African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J. “New Jersey is already one of the most diverse states in the nation. The time is now to make it the most economically inclusive state in the nation.”
“This is a rallying call,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the N.J. Chamber of Commerce. “We must demand an end to economic inequities in New Jersey. We will challenge businesses in every corner of the state to do their part to change the status quo.”
