Designates August of each year as "Black Business Month" in NJ.

SJR92

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 92

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 24, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates August of each year as �Black Business
Month� in NJ.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating August of each year
as �Black Business Month� in New Jersey.

Whereas,

Black Business Month was founded in 2004 by
Frederick E. Jordan Sr. and John William Templeton to
recognize the impact of Black-owned businesses throughout the United States and
to encourage their continued development
; and

Whereas,

As of the latest census data release, there are almost three million
Black-owned businesses in the country,
generating $150
billion in annual revenue and supporting almost four million jobs;
and

Whereas,

New Jersey is home to over 76,000� Black-owned businesses that provide jobs and
careers to residents throughout the State; and

Whereas,

The State is home to six of the top grossing Black-owned businesses in the
country according to Black Enterprise Magazine�s �top 100 Black-owned
businesses;� and

Whereas,

Promoting new and existing Black-owned businesses in the State can
help reduce the racial wealth gap between White and Black
adults, with a study by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity finding that
Black business owners significantly reduce the racial wealth gap when compared
to their White counterparts
; and

Whereas,

The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has affected a myriad of businesses in New
Jersey, with many Black-owned businesses in the State significantly suffering
from reduced revenues; and

Whereas,

The promotion and support of Black-owned businesses encourages the flourishing
of local communities and culture throughout the State; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� The month of August of
each year is designated
as �Black Business Month� in New
Jersey, in order to
encourage residents throughout
the State to frequent Black-owned businesses in their communities during the
month of August and throughout the year, and to reflect on the contributions of
Black entrepreneurs in our State.

���� 2.��� The Governor may
annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and residents of
the State to observe �Black Business Month� with appropriate programs and
activities.

���� 3.��� The New Jersey Business
Action Center within the Department of State shall take appropriate measures
each year to publicize and provide information on �Black Business Month� among
residents of the State.

���� 4.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates August of each year as �Black Business Month� in New Jersey.

���� Black Business Month was
founded in 2004 by Frederick E. Jordan Sr. and John William Templeton to
recognize the impact of Black-owned businesses throughout the United States and
to encourage their continued development.� As of the latest census data
release, there are almost three million Black-owned businesses in the United
States, generating $150 billion in annual revenue and supporting almost four
million jobs.� Of these overall numbers, over 76,000 of these Black-owned
businesses operate in New Jersey, with six of the highest grossing Black
businesses operating in this State according to Black Enterprise Magazine.�
These companies provide jobs and careers to residents throughout the State, and
they also create an opportunity to help reduce the racial wealth gap between
White and Black adults, with a study by the Association for Enterprise
Opportunity finding that Black business owners reduce the racial wealth gap when
compared to their White counterparts.�

���� With the coronavirus 2019
pandemic severely affecting Black businesses in the State, the promotion and
support of Black-owned businesses can help those establishments in need and can
encourage the flourishing of local communities and culture throughout the
State.� As such, this joint resolution intends to designate August of each year
as �Black Business Month� in New Jersey in order to encourage residents
throughout the State to frequent Black-owned businesses in their communities
during the month of August and throughout the year, and to reflect on the
contributions of Black entrepreneurs in our State.