Join Us for an Unforgettable Juneteenth Celebration at the AACCNJ Black Business Expo
As we approach another Juneteenth, a day rich with history and significance, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) is thrilled to invite you to the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) Black Business Expo on June 13, 2024. This event promises to be a remarkable convergence of culture, entrepreneurship, and empowerment, all taking place at the Bogota Savings Bank Center, Fairleigh Dickinson University.
This year's theme, “The Journey Continues,” encapsulates the spirit of perseverance and dedication that characterizes our community's ongoing struggle towards equality and economic empowerment. We are especially proud that our founder, Malcolm Jenkins, will be delivering the keynote speech. Malcolm will delve into themes from his new book, *What Winners Won’t Tell You*, discussing the critical lessons learned from both his victories and setbacks. His journey from a celebrated NFL player to a successful entrepreneur embodies the resilience and dedication AACCNJ aims to highlight at this year’s expo.
The expo will feature an array of activities tailored to inspire and support entrepreneurs and community members, including:
- Innovative exhibits from up to 90 local businesses
- Matchmaking sessions to connect entrepreneurs with mentors and investors
- A business corner offering professional headshots to enhance your professional presence
- A pitch competition to spotlight emerging business ideas
Whether you’re looking to grow your business, expand your network, or gain new insights into overcoming professional challenges, this event is for you.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate the power of community and entrepreneurship together!
See you there!
For information on tickets, vendor registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit Juneteenth Black Business Expo (aaccnj.com)
NFL players participating in the camp include Devin McCourty (New England Patriots), Sidney Jones (Philadelphia Eagles), Ron Brooks (Philadelphia Eagles), Travell Dixon (Carolina Panthers), Marques Colston (former New Orleans Saints), Brandon Bing (former New York Giants) and Steven Miller (former Detroit Lions).This year’s camp was made possible through the generosity of sponsors and community partners including AT&T, Piascik, The Heldrich, The Muscle Maker Grill, Dynasty Sports Group, Piscataway Township Schools, Safe Kids New Jersey, Philadelphia Eagles, RWJ Barnabas Health, American Water, Simon’s Fund, NAMI, Thomas Sweet, State Farm Agent Robby West, BASH, Township of Piscataway, Piscataway PBA Local 93, North Shelton Volunteer Fire Department, the NFLPA and its partners QuestNutrition, CorePower, SKLZ, Dometic and a grant from the NFL Foundation. See full photo 
Former Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins remembers the thrill of being the 14th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. But seven years since, and a day after the 2016 first round that saw five Buckeyes taken, Jenkins was gaining satisfaction of a different sort.This morning he was at the Columbus Urban League parking lot off Mount Vernon Avenue helping coordinate the second Get Ready Fest, a collaboration of his Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, Feed the Children and Teleperformance. With its mission to distribute a 25-pound box of food and a 10-pound box of personal hygiene products to 1,200 pre-identified families who can use the help, the orderly line stretched down the block.“We’re feeding and helping over 4,500 people,” Jenkins said. “They get not only the food, but they get resources, they get haircuts, help services -- everything that they need to really get a kick start.“Everything that we do we focus on youth, and families, and under-served communities because, you know, I’ve been blessed. There are people in need that look up to me as an athlete, that look up to everybody (including the hundreds of volunteers involved), and this is an opportunity for us to give back.” Ironically, it was his being drafted in 2009 that helped set him on this path. He was taken by the New Orleans Saints, thrusting him into a city still in the early years of its recovery from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.“Seven years ago I was getting drafted to a city that had a lot of need,” Jenkins said. “I got to look around the community and could see there were people that needed help. So I did what little part that I could.“And through the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation we just started to give back to all the communities that have affected me.”That list includes New Orleans; his hometown area in and around Piscataway, N.J.,; Philadelphia, where he now plays for the Eagles; and Columbus, where he was a star for the Buckeyes. The program is in its fourth year overall.Asked whether he’d recommend becoming involved in such endeavors to those drafted on Thursday night, Jenkins said, “I think it’s all personal, and it all depends on what you want to invest your money in.“For me, I like to invest not only my money but my time into other people. I know that some people, whether it be (his former OSU coach and now Youngstown State University president) Jim Tressel, be it my high school coaches, my parents, they invested time in me, and I know the impact that it’s had on my life. So that’s what I like to give back to other people.”His friend and former New Orleans teammate Will Smith, who played at Ohio State before him, had been involved in several chartitable endeavors during his playing days and since his career ended after the 2013 season. But Smith, 34, was shot to death on a New Orleans street several weeks ago after a late-night traffic accident escalated into a confrontation with the driver who had hit him from behind.“Unfortunately I don’t know what the lesson is from this tragedy beside the fact life is short and you’ve got to enjoy the time you have with your friends and family,” Jenkins said. “It’s a tragic situation, and it brings to light to a bigger narrative about violence and some senseless acts.“That’s because it’s one thing to read a news clip about Will Smith’s passing, but it’s a different thing to go to his funeral and see his three kids and his wife who will never have him again. That’s something that I think we’ve become numb to. ... Will Smiths happen across this country every single day, and it’s unfortunate.”Jenkins, meanwhile, is an NFL veteran and Pro Bowl performer who has persevered for two teams during the past seven years, so he had some advice for those being drafted this week.“One, enjoy the ride,” he said. “There’s a lot of things, a lot of pressure, a lot of tugging and pulling -- everything is really set up for you to fail, basically. But you’ve got to enjoy it. And then, just be smart. Have a plan, because football is very, very short.“The law of averages say you’re only going to play for three years; if you play any more than that you’re lucky. But you’ll most likely be done playing when you’re 35. There’s a lot of life to live after that. We get kind of brainwashed to think that football is all we can do. Enjoy it while you have it, take advantage of it while you have it, but also prepare for a life afterwards.”Original article taken from Columbus Dispatch | Ohio State Buckeyextra:
