The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce was horrified at the death of George Floyd in Minnesota and we have watched with sadness the events that have unfolded around the country since then.
We are proud of the many New Jerseyans who have exercised their right of protest and who have, for the most part, done so peaceably and with respect for the feelings and property of their fellow citizens.
We fervently hope that the nation can move past rhetoric and begin to finally and effectively address the issues of racial inequality that has led to the anger and the frustration we have seen in our cities and towns.
One key issue of racial inequality is the ongoing imbalance of economic opportunity for people of color.
To help address this problem, the NJ Chamber will partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on its initiative to address inequality of opportunity through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and criminal justice reform.
NJ Chamber board member John Harmon, president and founder of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, serves on the U.S. Chamber’s national steering committee on this issue and we look forward to creating with John a series of local and industry dialogues that will discuss the tangible actions New Jersey’s business community can take.
All Americans have a stake in resolving the issues of racial inequality. The business community can make a forceful and positive impact and the NJ Chamber is making a commitment to be at the forefront of this effort.
