ECONversations Episode 9: New Jersey’s COVID-19 Response

11/05/20 • 40 min

New Jersey has led the nation in the State’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a suite of programs that provide direct financial support for businesses and workers as well as training and technical assistance to help impacted business owners address their immediate needs and make the necessary changes to operate safely during the pandemic. COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on minority-owned businesses and businesses in historically disadvantaged communities. The state’s response includes a particular focus on supporting the recovery of these businesses. On this episode of ECONversations, host Tai Cooper is joined by Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan, NJRA President and CEO Leslie A. Anderson, and NJHMFA Executive Director Charles A. Richman for an in-depth discussion of New Jersey’s response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to prepare for a stronger, fairer recovery.

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ECONversations Episode 8: Hester Agudosi

New Jersey’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion was established to lead New Jersey’s efforts to promote diverse leadership in government that is reflective of the state’s population and to ensure diversity in appointments, recruitment, and the execution of diversity and inclusion strategies targeted toward greater utilization of minority, women, veteran, and LGBT owned businesses. In this episode of ECONversations, Hester Agudosi, New Jersey’s first Chief Diversity Officer, joins NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in economic development, strategies to ensure equitable and sustainable economic growth, and specific programs that promote fairness in industries from tech to cinema.

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NJEDA Celebrates Black History Month

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) continues its Black History Month celebration by focusing this month's podcast on New Jersey’s 80,000 Black- and Brown-owned small businesses and the contributions they make to our state's economy. They also discuss ways the NJEDA has worked with our partners in the public and private sectors to develop programs and initiatives with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind. This month, our host, Tai Cooper, is joined by the NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan and its first-ever Chief Diversity Officer Michelle Bodden, as well as John Harmon, the Founder/President/CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and Small Business Owner Tara Dowdell, who has been helping the NJEDA spread awareness of our COVID-Relief programs.