CareSparc Community Connections Hosts Breakfast Focusing on Health, Equity, Access & Policy

Newark, NJ – July 20th 2025 - Led by a message from Senator Cory Booker, along with nearly 100 healthcare, political and community leaders, CareSparc Community Connections (CCC), hosted their 4th Annual Networking Breakfast, “The Future of Community Health” A Strategic Exchange.”

The breakfast was held recently at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The goal of was to identify challenges and potential solutions to address healthcare, food insecurity and health disparities and resources for black and brown communities.

“The mission of this great organization to collaborate on effective solutions for health equity to improve positive health outcomes is incredibly and vitally important,” said Senator Booker, citing the organization’s fresh produce initiatives for seniors and families and its Sustainable Health and Wellness Village Tour as “life changing” programs advancing health equity outcomes in black and brown communities in New Jersey. The senator added that “access to healthcare is a fundamental right and we need all federal and state policies to reflect that commitment.”

The breakfast also featured guest speaker Adam Taliaferro, Director of State and Community Engagement at Johnson & Johnson, a major sponsor of the Sustainable Health and Wellness Village Festival (SHWVF). Speaking from his personal experience and as that of a former legislator, Taliaferro focused on the importance of access to healthcare and the necessity of collaboration by multiple entities to ultimately achieve that goal. He commended the efforts of CCC in their role as a convener, commenting that “When people see CareSparc Community Connections come to their communities, they see a sign of hope.”

Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table, participated in the event and shared, “We are so proud to partner with CareSparc to support food security in Essex County, which is absolutely critical for good health. So far in 2025 we’ve delivered nearly 100,000 pounds of wholesome fruits and vegetables to CareSparc’s Free Fresh Produce markets – together creating nutrition security and better health for hundreds of seniors and other neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.”

The 4th Annual Breakfast ended with a roundtable exercise and discussion aimed at identifying solutions to community health challenges. Leaders participating in the breakfast included Newark City Council Chairman Larry Crump; Jonathan Graham, President, Horus Construction Services, Ruthi Zinn Byrne, Founder Zinn Graves and Field; Amir Jones, Essex County Sheriff; Thomas Burke, Chief Administrative Officer of Clara Maass Medical Center, Leslie Hirsch, President and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, RWJ Barnabas Health Clara Maass Medical Center; Ketlen Alsbrook, CEO and Director, Newark Department of Community Wellness, Dr. Ana Natale Pereira, Division Director, Rutgers Health NJ Medical School and Christian Ragland, Assistant Vice President DEI, AtlantiCare. They also were joined by leaders from the funding and not-for-profit fields.

Among the participants’ recommendations were healthcare services geared towards improving access to health screenings, increasing preventative care, raising awareness of crucial health and wellness resources, and “meeting people where they are” in their communities.

“Today reminded us that community health isn’t defined by any one voice—but by many,” said Dr. Sherri Johnson, RN, FAAN & the breakfast host & moderator. “What began in one room must now ripple outward—in policy, in practice, and in partnership. The future of community health won’t be built by any single institution. It will be shaped by all of us, together."

Keith Da Costa, Executive Director of CCC, ended the event by saying that “This is not a one-time event. This is a movement, fueled in purpose, for a healthier stronger New Jersey.”

CareSparc Community Connections is a 501 © 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to collaborate with underserved communities, service providers, and thought leaders on effective solutions to advance health equity and improve positive public health outcomes.

For more information, visit caresparccommunityconnections.org to learn about the programs and initiatives.

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