Juneteenth: Mosaic Networking Group Continues To Bring People Together
Mosaic Networking Group co-founders David Garnes, James Fridie III, and Andre Norwood pause at their networking event held June 27, 2025 at Essie's Restaurant and Lounge in Clementon. Photo by Meredith Winner/Mer-Made Photography.
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
CLEMENTON – Co-founders of the Mosaic Networking Group, speaking at their monthly professional networking events, said they see their efforts as an opportunity to attract people of color from various professions and help them build connections with others they might not otherwise meet.
Camden County-based attorneys James Fridie III, David Garnes, and Andre Norwood said they wanted to dispel the notion that, because they come from the legal field, the Mosaic Networking Group is geared toward that profession.
Their latest event held in June captured the “vibe” of Juneteenth, embodying resilience, unity, mutual support and hope for the future.
“We take all comers,” said Norwood, a general practice attorney. “We have an array of people who have come out [to our networking events]. We want people to connect and expand their networks.”
Garnes, a divorce attorney, and Fridie, who practices family law, added that over nearly two years of hosting monthly networking events, they’ve seen people from all professions walk through the doors.
“While we created this for people of color, we want to welcome everyone of all colors and backgrounds,” Fridie said.
The co-founders shared these comments with Front Runner New Jersey during their latest networking event at Essie’s Restaurant and Lounge, a Black-owned establishment in Clementon on Friday, June 27. The swanky establishment gave the network their upstairs space, where a free buffet of chicken wings, pasta, shrimp rolls and salad were served.
Garnes said he and another attorney attended similar networking events before the COVID-19 pandemic, which they found beneficial. After the pandemic, he felt that a networking effort specifically for people of color was missing from broader efforts to reengage the public.
“I reached out to James and Andre, and we were all of a like-mind that it was needed,” Garnes said. “I’m not aware of anyone doing this in a way we are coming at it from. We wanted to make sure we attracted people from a broad range of occupations.”
Norwood said the group was intentional about where they held the networking events and whom they hoped to attract.
“We pretty much wanted to give Black-owned businesses our business,” Norwood said. “[Essie’s] is pretty much centrally located and we have the upstairs to ourselves. It has been growing. Each event was more successful.
“We’re inviting some guest speakers — That has made it more worthwhile in coming out. We’ve had some insightful and attentive crowds.”
Fridie said he hoped for the networking events to build a spirit of collaboration and outreach that will connect professionals and others in business and cooperation.
“We’re stronger together,” Fridie said. “It reminds me of that Muhammad Ali quote that service is the price we pay for living here on Earth.
“I’m originally from D.C., and when I moved here, there were a lot of older attorneys who guided me along the way, so I want to be in that role for younger attorneys and other professionals however I can.”
The networking event drew a large crowd in April, attracting small business owners and people from various business interests.
The co-founders said they all see their networking event growing and continuing to gain traction among Black professionals and others in the future. They said the next step will be for them to increase their marketing presence.
“As more people hear about what we’re doing, they get interested and want to come out,” Garnes said. “We have a good number of people coming out and we want to expand it. The sky’s the limit, but it’s just getting the word out to people.”
Norwood said he understands that some people have yet to emerge from the post-pandemic era and continue to let social media speak for them rather than engage in person. He said the group wants to create an atmosphere where even the most reclusive person can be comfortable.
“That’s the way our society is today,” Norwood continued. “They would rather hide behind social media instead of being face-to-face with someone. We want to make people feel comfortable — That’s why we wanted to have something like this, something that is more intimate without being intimidating.”
NMG’s July networking event has not yet been announced, but those interested can connect to their Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/mosaicnetworkinggroup.
One thing that is guaranteed, is that attendees — new and regular — will be greeted with open arms, just as the co-founders designed it to be.
Follow Us Today On:
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. Thank you for reading!
About Author
