NJBIZ In the Lead 2026: Minority-Owned Businesses

No one should be surprised that a state as diverse – economically, socially, culturally, ethnically – as New Jersey would have a thriving community of minority-owned businesses. The state’s economy is strong, with affluent markets and robust demand for a variety of goods and services.

To be sure, minority business owners here face many of the same challenges as their peers elsewhere. Access to capital remains difficult. Systemic bias and discrimination remain a problem. Support networks are often fragmented and inconsistent. Add in high costs and regulatory burdens – hurdles faced by all businesses – and the picture looks anything but rosy.

Nonetheless, as readers will learn from the businesses recognized in these feature, entrepreneurs and executives with talent, energy and drive often succeed spectacularly. And they do it in a variety of industries, including professional services, media and the arts, technology, hospitality, manufacturing and many others. The success stories are as diverse as the state’s population.

This moment in history is also an appropriate time to celebrate those stories. Through most of the late 20th century and early in the 21st, the U.S. in general and New Jersey in particular appeared to be making strides in alleviating the historic impediments faced by minority business owners and executives. And studies repeatedly showed that businesses with diverse leadership, vendors and clients were more financially successful than those mired in antediluvian attitudes about who the “right people” are.

But to the extent such a forward-thinking consensus did exist; it appears to have begun dissolving over the past decade or so. Important institutions have become hostile to the notion that promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in economic affairs is essential to growth.

Those old attitudes – demonizing people simply because of the way they look or speak – are once again driving decisions in government offices, schools and corporate boardrooms.

Thankfully, progress has not stalled completely. Leaders in many areas have remained steadfast in their pursuit of fairness and accountability. Here in New Jersey, elected officials, educators and many corporate leaders have not abandoned their commitment to equity and inclusion.

That commitment should offer encouragement to anyone who wants to start or expand a business here. By and large, New Jerseyans want to do business with folks who provide quality goods and attentive service at fair prices. Deliver that, and you should do well here.

All of the honorees you’ll meet below are delivering what clients and customers want. They deserve our patronage, our thanks and our admiration. So let us know what you think of the choice reflected here. And tell us if we missed anyone. As always, the honorees are presented in alphabetical order.

– Jeffrey Kanige
Email: jkanige@njbiz.com

Methodology

The Power and In the Lead lists are compiled by the NJBIZ editorial staff based on our reporting throughout the past year with input from experts in a variety of fields and recommendations from our readers. The staff looks for people who have gained public attention – and perhaps acclaim – for their professional accomplishments and public service. Each list identifies individuals who, through their efforts, are helping to make New Jersey a better place to live, work and do business. Honorees are not necessarily better at their jobs than others in their profession, but they have contributed meaningfully to the advancement of the public interest through their work and/or community service.

In the Lead 2026: Minority-Owned Businesses: