Let’s get moving
The governor said doing nothing is not an alternative.
“Time is of the essence, this has been kicking around for generations, let’s get at it,” he said.
The Rev. Ronald Slaughter of the Saint James AME Church in Newark said we must do a better job of explaining how to apply for government-issued contracts. (David Matthau/WHYY)
Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, who chairs the legislative Black caucus, said the Diversity Study “sheds light on critical gaps that continue to limit fair access to government contracts and the essential resources needed to allow these businesses not only to compete but to thrive. Armed with this data, we’re seizing this opportunity to enact real change.”
Other participants in the roundtable included Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Senator Nellie Pou, Assemblyman Sterley Stanley and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly.
Representatives from the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Punjabi Chamber of Commerce, the Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce, and the NJ Diverse Business Advisory Council also participated, along with Jo-Ann Povia, chief of staff to the Department of the Treasury, associate deputy State Treasurer, Michelle Bodden and Jayné Johnson, director of the governor’s Office of Equity.
