Bridgeton, NJ – On Wednesday, September 17th members of the LAEDA team celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce at the newly renovated popular local eatery and bar Inka Chicken. It was a joyous occasion of celebration and positivity, being the first event to break bread inside the newly renovated restaurant, where Minerva Alvarado of Hispanic Business Committee opened the meeting by speaking on the progress of Hispanic businesses and business owners in this past year. Next, the County Clerk Celeste Riley gave warm welcomes to the local residents and business owners and recounted her journey with the Hispanic constituents in her career. This year’s national theme of innovation, resilience, and unity defines the Hispanic experience, and Ms. Riley made sure the emphasize these values in the year to come.

Next up, the Chamber had a surprise for the entire audience – the creation and presentation of the inaugural Pioneer of Change Award. No one knew this award was even real, much less who the winner would be. However, as Ms. Alvarado read out the accomplishments of this person, it became crystal clear that LAEDA’s beloved community partner and friend Stephanie Gonzalez, of the Bridgeton UEZ, was the one being honored. Everyone was the moon for her and she rightly deserves this award. Congratulations Stephanie! LAEDA President and CEO Ray Lamboy was also honorably mentioned for the critical role LAEDA has played in connecting the local business community to resources and providing training and counseling.

Next up was the keynote speaker Jerry Velasquez, CEO of The Authority. A lifelong local, Mr. Velasquez has worked to ensure the rights and fair share of everyone and anyone, especially those of the local and the Hispanic communities. Nick Acevedo, a Bridgeton native who has been practicing law in Philadelphia for more than forty years, gave a commemorative address reflecting on his childhood and the ways this community has supported him in his career, and the ways he has given back to the community.

All in all, it was a celebration of the people in the room, and the ways they have supported the Hispanic communities in the area. The event truly demonstrated the national theme, as without innovation there can be no progress, and the men and women inside Inka Chicken have surely made progress. Without resilience there can be no growth, and every speaker and audience member have experienced learning through failure. And finally, without unity, there is simply no future. And celebrations of culture, like this one, are the perfect harbingers of harmony and unity.

Note: Special thanks again to Minerva Alvarado, Tony Stanzione and the entire Chamber at Bridgeton for the profound and positive work you guys do for the community.  Special thanks to Stephanie Gonzalez, for being a stable yet vibrant presence connecting LAEDA to the people of Bridgeton.