Montclair Hotel Will Host NJ Pride Chamber Of Commerce Gala Awards

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce (NJPCC) is proud to announce the recipients of its first annual gala and awards dinner.

The gala will celebrate the accomplishments of the state’s best and most influential LGBTQ+ business owners and allied advocates who take inspired action to advance the queer community’s economic development, inclusion, and staying power within the state.

The sold-out celebration will be held at The MC Hotel in Montclair on Thursday, Dec. 1.

The NJPCC’s 2022 Gala Award Recipients Include:

• Visionary of the Year: NJ Governor Phil Murphy for signing Executive Order No. 295 in May of this year. The order calls for the inclusion of certified New Jersey LGBT+-owned and operated businesses to be elevated among the State’s pool of suppliers so they can bid on public projects. This makes NJ the 4th state in the nation to recognize and uplift LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
• Corporate Partner of the Year: PSEG; award to be accepted by Marisol Ramirez, Supplier Diversity Manager for PSEG.
• Outstanding Member of the Year: Joanne Balady, Founder and President of Balady Promotions.
• Community Advocate: Joe Forte, veteran public servant of the Lawrence Township City Council and Vice Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee (NJDSC) LGBTQ+ Caucus.
• Ambassador of the Year: Noah O’Hare, Financial Center Manager for Spencer Savings Bank.
• NJPCC Ally Award: Monica Martinez Milan, Owner of Stumpy's Hatchet House – Greenbrook, NJ and Board Member of the New Jersey Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NJSHCC).
• NJPCC Ally Award: Luis De La Hoz, Regional Director of Community Lending at Valley National Bank and Chairman of the Board of Directors for NJSHCC.

The awards show will feature live performances to commemorate the chamber’s growth. Performances include:

• Comedian Julia Scotti, America's Got Talent '16, Bros (2022), Apple TV+’s Documentary Julia Scotti: Funny That Way.
• Daniel Shevlin, Cellist from Well-Strung, the international touring pop string-quartet sensation.
• Lance Horne, Emmy Award-Winning Composer & Pianist who has arranged compositions for a myriad of A-list celebrities like Alan Cummings and Kristin Chenowith. And, he has performed for President Barack Obama and the late Queen Elizabeth.

To further mark the recipients’ hard work in furthering diversity and equality within the community, this year’s awardees will receive a specially designed and sculpted glass award created by glassmaking artist Rodi Rovner, the owner and founder of Hands-on Glass | Hot Glass Studio in Corning, NY. Hot Glass Studio is a woman-owned and operated small business, it was the first public access glass making studio in Corning. Additional thanks to Cody DeWert, Graphic Designer at Hands-on Glass Studio.

Guests will then celebrate the gala’s after-party on the hotel’s enclosed rooftop with Manhattan skyline views, where NJPCC member and special guest DJ Gio Navarrette will get the party started on the dance floor.

“We thank our sponsors for their support of our organization, not only at this event, but year round,” said Stephen Blazejewski, president of NJPCC. “Their commitment to NJPCC has made our exponential growth this past year possible.”

Gala sponsors Include:

• VIP Reception Sponsor: Crunch Fitness - Clifton
• Awards Dinner Sponsor: New Jersey Resources | NJ Natural Gas
• After-Party Sponsor: BCB Bank
• Gold Sponsors: TD Bank, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Balady Promotions, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Spencer Savings Bank, and Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, and Out Montclair.
• Silver Sponsors: PNC Bank, Joe Forte for Lawrence Council, ABW Compliance Services, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).

The night will be emceed by Steven Garibell, NJPCC’s Advisory Board Chair and VP of Diversity Business Development Strategy for TD Bank.

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