Get Ready for the AACCNJ Juneteenth Black Business Expo with Malcolm Jenkins

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)

Celebrating Community Success at Economic Perspective - Camden County

We are thrilled to share the highlights from an inspiring event that took place recently in Camden County, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey. The "Economic Perspective - Camden County" was not only a gathering of influential local leaders but also a shining moment for The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) as one of the proud exhibiting nonprofit partners.

A Special Congratulations

First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to James Martin, Vice President of Santander, who won an Eagles football autographed by TMJF's Chairman, Malcolm Jenkins. His win marks a memorable moment in the event, celebrating the spirit of community and philanthropy that TMJF stands for.

Strong Community Presence

The event was graced by the presence of the Mayors of Camden City, Cherry Hill Township, Haddon Township, and Winslow Township. Their collective commitment highlights the collaborative efforts to foster growth and prosperity in the region.

Get Ready Fest: Mark Your Calendars!

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce our upcoming Get Ready Fest® in August 2024. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, the American Water Charitable Foundation, this event promises to be another milestone in our ongoing efforts to support and uplift the Camden community.

Ways to Support

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite you to join us in making a significant impact. There are a few sponsorship opportunities still available for those who share our vision of empowering communities and changing lives in Camden. Your support can help us continue to provide much-needed resources and initiatives in the area.

Together, we can make a difference.

Spreading Joy and Support: The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation’s Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise in Newark, NJ

This holiday season, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) brought joy and much-needed support to the Newark community through its annual Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise. In a heartfelt initiative led by Malcolm Jenkins, author, philanthropist, and two-time Super Bowl Champion, TMJF and its partners provided 155 deserving families with not only a holiday feast, but also toys and other essentials, embodying the spirit of giving and community support.

Since its inception, the Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise has been a cornerstone of TMJF’s efforts to combat food insecurity, particularly during a time of year that can be financially stressful for many families. This year, the need was more significant than ever with rising food costs deeply affecting the community. In response, the foundation, along with its community partners and volunteers, worked tirelessly to assemble and distribute festive holiday dinner baskets filled with nutritious and festive foods.

The baskets included everything needed for a full holiday meal: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, green beans, cornbread mix, collard greens, mac-n-cheese, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, condensed milk, chicken broth, bread, apple juice, and even an apple pie. Additionally, each basket contained utensils, plates, a roasting pan, and a holiday greeting card personally signed by Malcolm Jenkins.

This wonderful event was made possible through the generous support of Amerigroup and contributions from the Black Leadership Forum at Prudential, which organized a toy drive. Students from KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy also played a crucial role, volunteering their time to assist with the packing of the baskets. Their involvement underscored the importance of community service and the impact of youth participation in charitable activities.

Sharmaine Lewis, Founder and Student Leader at KIPP Newark, remarked on the significance of the school hosting the event for the second consecutive year, emphasizing the value of providing such opportunities for students to give back to their community.

Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, TMJF President & CEO, highlighted the ongoing challenge of food insecurity, particularly during the holiday season. She noted, "This time of year is especially hard for families. For the past 13 years, we have held this event in multiple cities of the Foundation’s footprint, as we’ve observed the rapidly growing number of people, especially children, who experience food insecurity.”

TMJF extends its gratitude to all the sponsors, partners, and volunteers, including ShopRite of Newark, Brookdale ShopRite, individual donors, and the various community partners listed at the end of this release. Their support is invaluable in making the Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise a success year after year.

As we move forward, TMJF is calling on the public to support these initiatives by making a donation. Every contribution, regardless of size, can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. To help, please visit https://www.themalcolmjenkinsfoundation.org/donate.

This holiday season, through the combined efforts of all involved, TMJF has not only provided meals but has also strengthened the fabric of the community, ensuring that the spirit of the holidays is a reality for all, regardless of their circumstances.

Empowering Camden: American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water Contribute $30,000 to The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation

In a powerful collaboration dedicated to making a positive impact, the American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water have joined forces to contribute $30,000 to The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. This significant donation aims to combat food insecurity in the City of Camden, reflecting a shared commitment to community well-being and inclusivity.

The American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization associated with American Water, has provided $25,000, while New Jersey American Water has generously contributed an additional $5,000. This substantial support bolsters The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's flagship community outreach event, Get Ready Fest®.

Get Ready Fest® stands as a beacon of awareness for food insecurity and addresses various challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Families attending the event gain access to crucial resources spanning education, career readiness, housing, financial literacy, health and wellness, senior and veteran services, as well as COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. A highlight of the fest is the TMJF Pop-up Grocery store, ensuring families leave with 40 pounds of food—enough to sustain them for up to 10 days.

Carrie Williams, President of the American Water Charitable Foundation, expresses enthusiasm for the partnership with Malcolm Jenkins and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. She emphasizes the foundation's strong commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity, echoing the shared passion for making a positive impact on communities served by American Water.

Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, President and CEO of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, extends heartfelt gratitude for the generosity of the American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water. She highlights the significance of such contributions during challenging times when families are juggling the additional costs of school supplies, clothing, gas, and putting food on the table.

Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water, echoes this sentiment, expressing delight in the partnership with The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. He underscores their commitment to supporting organizations that enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve.

In a city where 65% of families experience hunger and nearly 37% live below the poverty line, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation has already made a substantial impact by serving over 10,000 families—equating to approximately 40,000 individuals. The recent contribution will undoubtedly further these efforts, making a meaningful difference in the ongoing fight against food insecurity in Camden.

What sets this collaboration apart is not just the financial support but also the active involvement of employees from both American Water and New Jersey American Water. Their hands-on participation in packing boxes, distributing food, and more exemplifies a genuine dedication to community outreach and improving the lives of those in need.

As the contributions flow into Camden, the collective efforts of the American Water Charitable Foundation, New Jersey American Water, and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation stand as a testament to the positive change that can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared vision of creating brighter, more equitable futures for our communities.

Get Ready Fest - Brings 800 Camden families wellness resources, food and essentials.

Since 2014, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins has brought Get Ready Fest, his foundation’s signature charity event, to cities across the country. In Camden, New Jersey, 35 percent of households live below the poverty level and far too many children go to bed hungry. This is why The Malcom Jenkins Foundation and PepsiCo partnered with Feed the Children to kick off “Get Ready Fest: Helping Feed Camden” providing 800 Camden-area families with wellness resources, food and essentials.The event kicked off at 12 noon at Antioch Baptist Church, 690 Ferry Ave, Camden, NJ.“The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) is proud to team up and partner for this important event in the Camden area,” said Malcolm Jenkins, a New Jersey native.  Thursday's event was its first in Camden.

"We thought it was very important (to come to Camden)," he said. "It's that city that's right there on the other side of the bridge that you forget about, but me being from Jersey, we wanted to do something in New Jersey specifically and Camden just made sense to us.  Despite the rain, which Antioch pastor John Parker joked "baptized us all," about 800 families turned out for boxes of food, toiletries, books, school uniforms and supplies, and help with an array of social services.

Each family identified by Antioch Baptist Church received:

• One 25-pound box of nonperishable food items
• One 15-pound box of personal-care items
• One box of AVON products
• Books from Disney Publishing Worldwide
• Frito-Lay snacks
• PepsiCo beverages
• Life Original Cereal
• Quaker Standard Oats
• Chewy Granola Bars
• Variety of Campbell Soup products

In addition to providing enough food and daily essentials, the Get Ready Fest TM event offers an array of health-related services and information through the support of various community resource partners. These services include health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, etc., education and social service information relating to GED, job training, and senior and veteran support services. Additionally, the event includes a children’s resource area that provides services, children’s books, school supplies, haircuts, face painting, and snacks.