In the Community

CHAPTER PROGRAMS & EVENTS

American Conference on Diversity chapters throughout the state sponsor programs to meet the needs of their local communities. Program offerings are determined by the local chapter.

Chapter Programs

Poster Art Contest
Chapters throughout the state sponsor poster art contests for middle school or high school students.  Schools are invited to have students submit poster art reflective of the chapter-sponsored theme.

Click here to see poster art from Central Jersey Chapter's Poster Art Contest for Middle Schools, click here for Hudson County Chapter's Poster Art Contest for Jersey City high schools and click here for Essex County Chapter's Poster Art Contest for Essex County high schools.

School Swap
School Swap is an interactive curriculum where a group of students at your school can experience a day in the life of students from different area schools. Although high school students throughout the state may share many similarities, the experience of a high school student is often dependent on the size of the high school, the geographic location, socioeconomic make up, the student diversity, and the diversity of faculty and staff. The goal of School Swap is for students to build understanding for ones in different learning environments by realizing the similarities and differences of their high school experiences. Students will then be able to dialogue about why these differences exist and the importance of discussion on these differences in high schools.

Click here to learn more about how your high school can participate in School Swap or call us at 732-745-9330.

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
This annual Breakfast, sponsored by the Atlantic County Chapter, commemorates the memory of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by bringing together students and adults to share thoughts relevant to select inspirational phrases of Dr. King. The 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Brotherhood-Sisterhood Breakfast, was held on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at The Richard Stockton College of NJ in the Campus Center Event Room.

The Breakfast brought together community leaders and student leaders from throughout the Atlantic County area and was chaired by Dianne S. Lennon, Vice Chair of Programs and Donna Nelson Lee, Atlantic County Chapter Chair.  The Reverend Dr. James Coaxum, III was the keynote speaker. Dr. Coaxum is Pastor of St. James AME Church in Atlantic City and Associate Professor and Chairperson of the College of Education at Rowan University.

Students in the 7^th to 12^th grades from throughout Atlantic County attended the Breakfast. A panel of high school juniors and seniors focused on Dr. King’s message, legacy and dream as they shared their response to this year’s theme, "Whatever Affects One Directly, Affects All Indirectly." Click here to read the student panelists' written responses to the theme.

"Students from so many diverse backgrounds come together in good fellowship & respectful admiration of each other's opinions. This experience is a great opportunity for young people to learn about cultures other than their own and to share a small part of themselves." - Hammonton High School Student Council Advisor Mary Ann Meehan

"I cannot begin to thank you for allowing our school to participate in the Dr. MLK Breakfast and strongly encourage other schools to take part in this educational and inspiring event.  Each year our students look forward to attending the breakfast.  The event gives students the opportunity to meet youth from neighboring schools in a non-competitive and supportive environment, as well as, give them the opportunity to articulate their individual perspectives on diversity.  I also appreciate the forum because it allows students to shine amongst their peers and community leaders. I am always amazed and delighted at the wonderful and insightful speeches prepared by students.   I particularly enjoyed this year’s keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. James Coaxum.  His speech was encouraging, uplifting and really inspired me to think about my role in finishing the job of Dr. King.  Thanks again for everything!" - Atlantic City High School Guidance Counselor Tanya Cain

Click here to see more photos from the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast. For more information about these and other Chapter programs call us at 732.745.9330 or click here for email.

Chapter Events

Each year American Conference on Diversity chapters recognize local individuals, companies and organizations are recognized for reflecting the American Conference on Diversity mission to value diversity, educate leaders and promote respect.

Recent and Upcoming Events

Jan. 17, 2012 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at the Richard Stockton College of NJ in teh Campus Center Event Room.  The Rev. Dr. Jame Coaxum, III is the keynote speaker. High school students will respond to Dr. King's quote, "Whatever Affects One Directly, Affects All Indirectly." Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the program begins at 8:30 a.m.  Reservations are $25. Call 609-345-0636 or click here for email to reserve a seat or sponsor a student table.

Dec. 1, 2011 Atlantic County Chapter Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner at The Atlantic City Country Club honoring Reliance Medical Group, represented by Dr. Jon M. Regis, President and Vincent J. Papaccio, Senior Vice President; Henrietta Wallace Shelton - President, Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, Inc.; and The Women’s Center  - Creating a Place for us Since 1975, represented by Claudia Ratzlaff, CEO. Special Guest Speaker will be  Edward W. Bullock, Vice President - Diversity, L`Oréal. Click here for reservations and sponsorship opportunities. 

Nov. 8, 2011 - Mercer County Chapter Annual Humanitarian Awards Program & Reception, honoring The Arc Mercer, Inc. (Steven Cook, Executive Director); Connie Mercer (President/CEO, Homefront); Mercer County Community College (Dr. Patricia C. Donohue, President); PNC Bank-Downtown Trenton Branch (F. Kevin Tylus, Regional President Central NJ), at the Conference Center at Mercer (1200 Old Trenton Rd.); 5:30 p.m. cocktails & hors d'oeuvres reception and 7:00 p.m. awards presentation and dessert. Click here to purchase individual seats, ads or sponsorship opportunities.  Click here for a copy of the invitation.

Oct. 26, 2011 - Greater Bergen Chapter Annual Humanitarian Awards Breakfast, honoring Teaneck Community Chorus (Steven Bell, Artistic Director and Beth Robin, Pianist), Edward A. Torres (Maywood Rotary Club) and Ilise Zimmerman (President & CEO, Northern NJ Maternal/Child Health Consorium), 8 a.m. - 10 a.m., Fairleigh Dickinson University, Student Union Building, Metropolitan Campus.  Click here to purchase individual seats, ads or reserve sponsorship opportunities. Further further information, call 732-745-9330 or click here to email.

Sept. 20, 2011 Embracing Humanity - Unifying Communities - a community program sponsored by Central Jersey and Mercer County Chapters and co-sponsored by the Plainsboro Human Relations Council and the Wyndham Hotel and Conference Center, Plainsboro, the program venue. The program will bring together community members and panelists representing various ethnic groups to share experiences and discuss potential strategies to embrace community diversity and create inclusive communities. Registration and refreshments 5:45 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.  The program will start promptly at 6:15 and conclude by 8:30.  There is no fee to attend the program but pre-registration is requested.  Click here to register (please provide your contact information) or to requestion additional information and click here for the program flier.

VIEW OUR PHOTO GALLERY OF PAST EVENTS and CHAPTER PROGRAMS