South Jersey Business Owners, Leaders Discuss Diversity, Leadership and Legacy
Christina Renna (right), executive director of the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey speaks next to (L-R) Ma'at Zachary, of Urban One, Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and Kimberly S. Reed, at the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey DEIB Breakfast at Adelphia's in Deptford on Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Creative Content On Demand.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was produced as part of the South Jersey Emerging Journalists Project (SJEJP), an independent initiative dedicated to supporting content creators and emerging journalists from underserved communities across Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic counties.
BY KADAYSHA LITTLE | South Jersey Emerging Journalists Project
DEPTFORD – Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna E. McClinton last week urged business leaders in South Jersey to not sit back in today’s political climate.
“If you want to save the democracy, participate in the democracy,” the Democrat from Philadelphia said during her call to action at the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council breakfast on Feb. 19.
Nearly 100 business leaders listened to McClinton, Ma’at Zachary, vice president of branded content and development at One X Studios, Urban One, and moderator Kimberely S. Reed, of Reed Development Group.
Speaking on the topic, “America at 250: Leadership, Diversity and the Story We’re Still Writing,” the event covered a variety of subjects, including Pennsylvania passage of the CROWN Act, which prevents discrimination against hair styles, artificial intelligence, education and voting, including the proposed federal SAVE Act.
In opening the session Reed challenged the panelists on their actions to prevailing federal winds that seems to downplay the history of minority and cast immigrants in a negative light.
“As we (the United States of America) approach 250 years, what do you believe future generations will say about how leaders showed up in these defining days?” Reed asked.
President Donald Trump during his State of the Union Speech, while listing what he viewed as his major accomplishments in his second term said Tuesday that his administration “ended DEI in America.” Yet, support for DEI was the reason why attendees gathered at Adelphia’s Banquet Hall in the first place.
Professionals from all different industries and backgrounds met to engage in conversation about the importance of leadership’s role in diversity initiatives at the event.
McClinton represents the House 191st District of Delaware and Philadelphia counties and first Black woman every elected as Pennsylvania House Speaker. Zachary is an award-winning content strategist who specializes in digital media, video, linear, audio, podcast, and live events.
McClinton, Zachary and Reed brought different insights into the conversation, allowing for a wide range of dialogue. From storytelling, to jokes and calls-to-action, the audience was engaged throughout the event.
The chamber’s DEIB priorities were created to foster an inclusive organization that helps provide equitable economic opportunity, connectivity, and education to our diverse cross-section of member companies.
Its DEIB priorities set out to:
- Create and support business resources, educational programs and initiatives that provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for CCSNJ member companies and their employees to grow and connect with others.
- Through deliberate recruiting efforts, increase the number of diverse business members and promote inclusive activities so that all members share a sense of belonging.
- Advocate for policies that create an equitable landscape for CCSNJ member companies to build valuable, sustainable, and profitable professional relationships.
- Increase participation of diverse speakers, panelists, and special guests at events.
- Implement methods to encourage member companies to provide diverse candidates to serve in CCSNJ leadership positions.
- Promote and integrate DEI practices across all sectors of business and community by conducting meaningful, educational, and substantive conversations and opportunities to connect with others at CCSNJ events.
Co-chairs of the DEIB Advisory Council include Damien Ghee, of Citizens Bank, Robin Walton, of Inspira Health, and Blenda Pinto, of United Airlines.
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