Published: Mar. 30, 2022

By NJ.com Staff

The Mosaic Empowerment Program is currently open to minority-owned businesses located in Essex County and Mercer County. The free application period is open through April 17.

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• A free 6-month long advertising campaign valued at $25,000
• Free marketing consultation
• Marketing education materials
• Access to other support from program sponsors.

Qualified Essex and Mercer county businesses should apply here.

“Knowing that BIPOC small business owners have struggled particularly hard during the pandemic, we wanted to use our marketing know-how to offer something tangible to the community,” said Michele Hayes, VP of Marketing at NJ Advance Media. “In collaboration with NJ Advance Media’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, we asked for insights from the state’s business leaders serving minority entrepreneurs. We used their guidance to shape the program.”

Development of the Mosaic Empowerment Program began by connecting with local business resources, including the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Newark Regional Business Partnership, and the New Jersey Department of Economic Development.

Lack of access to business capital, business networks and support are among the key issues affecting minority-owned small businesses.

“We know firsthand the uphill battle that minority-owned businesses face, particularly those which are small and mid-sized,” said Maya Curry, vice president of Communications and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Newark Regional Business Partnership. “Visibility is critical to their success and this program provides important resources which will allow these businesses to attract new customers and maintain their often tight budgets. We look forward to being a resource for the Mosaic Empowerment Program and its participants.”