GC NAACP Women's Conference 2023

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Gloucester County President Loretta Winters is an excellent advocate for those who don’t have a voice. She is the President of the New Jersey Gloucester County NAACP and former 2nd Vice President for the NAACP NJ State Conference. She is the Chair of the Board of Director Chair at First Harvest Federal Credit Union and a Board Director for Planned Parenthood Northern, Central and Southern NJ....just to name a few Because of her strong advocacy for women’s issues she was appointed as the NJ NAACP State Conference Women in the NAACP (WIN) Chair. She is known for her positive approach of building bridges and tearing down walls that separate communities.

A consummate volunteer in service to others, Winters provides servant leadership to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race and ethnic-based discrimination. In her journey for equality and justice for all Loretta has been in the forefront for social and criminal justice. As a counter to ‘Boots on the Ground”, Loretta does a successful annual Women’s Empowerment Conference titled “Heels on the Battlefields”.

Winters recognizes that times have changed dramatically and her strategies and tactics of working with policy makers, elected officials, business owners, and labor in a mutually respectful manner, is focused on cooperation and collaboration on a unity of purpose work in yielding results. As an advocate on the cutting edge of legislation, Loretta served on the 2018 New Jersey Governor’s Transition team and was appointed an Electoral College voter for the 2016 presidential election. She started the first and only NAACP College Foundation at Rowan College @ Gloucester County College and under her leadership formed the first State of New Jersey NAACP High School chapter.

Loretta is a former Advisory Board Member on the State Human Relations Council, a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy, and former Councilwoman and Vice President of Council for Monroe Township, NJ. As council she has served the community on several boards such as the Planning, Education, Municipal Alliance, Administration, Finance and Economic Development.

Loretta has assisted many churches and organizations throughout her life and has been honored by having an 8 ½ acre park named after her “Winters’ Cove”. In addition, Congressman Robert Andrews named December 14th, Loretta Winters’ Day throughout the 1st Congressional District as an honor to her for commitment to community.

At the local level, her efforts have resulted in the formation of a diversity recruitment initiative made up of the county prosecutor, chiefs of police and diverse community groups looking to have police departments reflect the populations served. She is also one of the founding members of the Gloucester County’s School Superintendent’s Equity committee that aims to build a culturally competence learning environment.

On the National stage, she played a significant role in the organization of the 2015 and 2023 NAACP Convention in Philadelphia and Atlantic City, respectively overseeing the Welcome to New Jersey Receptions. When asked about her most rewarding accomplishment she answers, “Being the matriarch of a blended family of 7 beautiful children, and 15 grandchildren.”

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Conference Agenda 8:00 am- 9:00 am

9:00 am-9:30 am

9:45 am—10:45 am

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Program Starts: • Mistress of Ceremony, Tiffany Walker, Secretary, GC NAACP • Opening Prayer, Minister Dr. Irene Mintz, BOD, GC NAACP • Welcome, Loretta Winters, President, GC NAACP • Recognition of Special Guest • Recognition of Sponsor • Special Remarks from Planned Parenthood

The Bluest Eye: Open discussion of Toni Morrison’s Book “The Bluest Eye”.

This book has become very controversial in the school system. Let’s learn about the why’s and where do we go from here.

10: 50 am—11:50 pm

Four powerhouse women discuss family, community, and economics.

Discussion will include everything from gun control, education, to health.

11:55 am—12:45 pm

Dr. Mel Pierson will discuss and present on : ”The Mouth is the Gateway to your Body”

1:00 pm

1:30 pm—2:30 pm

3:00 pm

Lunch is served

Fashion Show by J Pratt Boutique

Please visit vendors before you leave.

Please Stay to Assist with Clean-Up

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Toni Morrison

Nine-year-old Claudia and ten-yearold Frieda MacTeer live in Lorain, Ohio, with their parents. It is the end of the Great Depression, and the girls’ parents are more concerned with making ends meet than with lavishing attention upon their daughters, but there is an undercurrent of love and stability in their home. The MacTeers take in a boarder, Henry Washington, and also a young girl named Pecola.

Pecola’s father has tried to burn down his family’s house, and Claudia and Frieda feel sorry for her. Pecola loves Shirley Temple, believing that whiteness is beautiful and that she is ugly.

Pecola moves back in with her family, and her life is difficult. Her father drinks, her mother is distant, and the two of them often beat one another.

Her brother, Sammy, frequently runs away. Pecola believes that if she had blue eyes, she would be loved and her life would be transformed. Meanwhile, she continually receives confirmation of her own sense of ugliness— the grocer looks right through her when she buys candy, boys make fun of her, and a light-skinned girl, Maureen, who temporarily befriends her makes fun of her too. She is wrongly blamed for killing a boy’s cat and is called a “nasty little black bitch” by his mother…………

Why are they taking this piece of American literature out of schools?

More to hear and learn.

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Mistress of Ceremonies & Bluest Eye Moderator

Tiffany Walker is a fifthgeneration resident of the Gloucester County area with distinction for over 15 years holding several leadership roles, though no single title could ever contain the full force and scope of her impact on the women, children and families whom she has served. She has over 5 years of experience in organizational leadership and is passionate about harvesting a healthy, happy workplace with real emphasis on a strong organizational culture. Tiffany considers it an honor and a privilege to be a part of her local community’s revitalization; creating opportunities for youth and their families to explore their creativity, fuel their ambition, and build brighter futures. This is has been evident in her active roles as a twice elected committee women and the former vice president of the Monroe Twp. School Board. It has been her mission to help New Jersey residents reach their potential through programs and services that connect people to fulfilling work opportunities and critical services through her positions in the nonprofit world. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the NAACP Presidential Award and South Jersey Phenomenal Women Award for her work with women and minorities. Tiffany currently serves on various boards including the executive board for the Gloucester County NAACP, working with colleagues and government officials from across the state on civil rights issues and with Thrive New Jersey, working as a collective for the reproductive justice movement.

Tiffany holds a degree in early childhood education and is currently attending Rowan University to further pursue a degree in Social Innovation and Leadership with a minor in Business Management. Tiffany is the proud mother to Devon, Carter, and step-mother to Brielle, and Bianna.

She resides in Williamstown with her children, fiancé Xazavir, and furbabies O'Malley and Romeo.

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Open Discussion With……...

YOLANDA E. GARCIA BALICKI, ESQUIRE Ms. Garcia Balicki is an associate attorney with Helmer, Conley, & Kasselman, P. A. in the firm’s Bridgeton and Vineland offices. She is fluent in Spanish and practices immigration law representing immigrants in pursuit of lawful permanent residence and citizenship in the United States through family petitions, consular processing, adjustment of status and removal defense in immigration court. Ms. Garcia Balicki also represents parolees before the NJ State Parole Board in matters concerning parole revocation and parole release and handles most of the pro bono parole matters assigned to her colleagues by the court.

Prior to joining Helmer, Conley, & Kasselman, P. A., she was employed with the NJ State Parole Board for 33 years. Together with her husband she has a blended family of five sons and three grandsons.

Ms. Garcia Balicki is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Cumberland County Bar Association, the NJSBA Immigration Law Section, the Rowan College of South Jersey Board of Trustees, the Rowan College of South Jersey Hispanic Advisory Board and is also 1st Vice President of the Gloucester County NAACP. Ms. Garcia Balicki earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1990 from Rutgers Law SchoolCamden and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in 1982. She is admitted to the bar of The United States Supreme Court, the state bar of New Jersey, the Third Circuit District Court, and the Federal Immigration Court.

DR. IRENE KIRKLAND MINTZ, MD Knowledge is power! Dr. Irene Kirkland Mintz completed her education in Philadelphia at Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel University College of Medicine, formerly Medical College of Pennsylvania – Hahnemann University. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. A strong academic foundation is vital. She imparts this to all medical students and medical residents that she mentors. She shares her time mentoring between Rowan University School of Medicine and Drexel University School of Medicine. Leveraging her skills and teaching in medicine and administration, Dr. Kirkland Mintz continues to educate and serve the uninsured and underserved communities in the Greater Philadelphia area. Empowering patients is a priority.

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Our Vision

Our Mission

OUR MISSION IS TO ACHIEVE EQUITY, POLITICAL RIGHTS, AND SOCIAL INCLUSION BY ADROOTED IN LIBERATION WHERE ALL PERSONS WE ENVISION AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY CAN EXERCISE THEIR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION.

VANCING POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT EXPAND HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS, ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AND ACCELERATE THE WELLBEING, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY OF BLACK PEOPLE AND ALL PERSONS OF COLOR.

Theory Of Change WE ARE COMMITTED TO A WORLD WITHOUT RACISM WHERE BLACK PEOPLE ENJOY EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES IN THRIVING COMMUNITIES. OUR WORK IS ROOTED IN RACIAL EQUITY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND SUPPORTIVE POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONS FOR ALL MARGINALIZED PEOPLE.

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Women’s Forum Moderator

MHA, FACMPE, FACHE

Fox has had a distinguished career of over 20 years leading innovations in healthcare operations including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Healthcare for the Homeless, Behavioral Health, Home Care and Hospice. Melissa has been featured in numerous publications and as an expert speaker for her work within diverse healthcare environments and addressing the importance of utilizing innovations and community -based collaborations to reduce health disparities. In her current role as COO of Acenda Integrated Health, Fox oversees the operations for over 100 programs throughout 12 counties in New Jersey. Acenda is a family services agency which provides evidence-based programming in child welfare, prevention, juvenile justice, outpatient mental health, crisis services, substance use disorder treatment, and supportive housing.

Fox is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Health Services Executives, and the Medical Group Management

Association. Melissa has served as an expert speaker for organizations including the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council, National Nursing Centers Consortium, Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal, Open Minds, the Health Center and Public Housing Symposium, the Healthcare Innovation Company and the American Public Health Association. She is also a Board Member of the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA), The Root Cause Coalition, The Population Health Alliance, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, the Urban Affairs Coalition, the Financial Wellness Institute, and the Gloucester County NAACP. She’s a member of the Rowan University Edelman College of Communications and Creative Arts Advisory Board, the Peirce College Human Services Advisory Board, and is an adjunct faculty member for Health Administration at Wilmington University.

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Christine A. Hoffman Christine A. Hoffman is the Acting Gloucester County Prosecutor and is an assistant attorney general detached from the Division of Criminal Justice. AAG Hoffman served as a Deputy Director of the Division of Criminal Justice, Chief of the Division's Corruption Bureau, and Deputy Chief of the Division's Major Crimes Bureau. She also served as an Assistant Prosecutor with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. She is an adjunct professor at Rutgers School of Law, Camden and a faculty member of the N.J. Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute and the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute. She holds a B.A. in History, Summa Cum Laude, from Rider University and a J.D. with High Honors from Rutgers School of Law, Camden. She is proud to work closely with the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office Diversity Council and the Gloucester County NAACP and support a number of joint initiatives.

Robin A. Walton Robin Walton is the Senior Vice President of Government and External Affairs at Inspira Health Network. In this capacity, she manages Inspira’s relationships with federal, state and local governments, regulatory agencies, key policymakers and community stakeholders.

Ms. Walton develops Inspira Health’s annual legislative agenda and works with key personnel to ensure that the health system’s legislative priorities receive attention on the federal and state level. Ms. Walton also represents Inspira Health in dealings with community stakeholders in the regional area. She works to ensure that the health system’s local projects and priorities complement the needs of local government.

Prior to working at Inspira Health, Ms. Walton was the Vice President for Community and Government Affairs at Thomas Edison State University, the Community Relations Coordinator at Capital Health and the Confidential Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to the Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services under Former Governor James E. McGreevey….Just to name a few.

Ms. Walton serves on many committees, the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey’s Board of Directors and Chair of the Chamber’s State Affairs Council.

Ms. Walton earned her Masters of Science in Management and Graduate Certificate in Organizational Management and Leadership from Thomas Edison State University. She earned a B.A. in Political Science and an International Certificate in German from Douglass College, Rutgers, and The State University of New Jersey. Ms. Walton was a 2018 graduate of the Public Affairs Council’s Institute and a 2015 Harvard Kennedy School Emerging Leader Program participant. She is a 2008 HERS Wellesley Fellow, a 2006 Young Business Leaders’ Council Fellow and 2004 Leadership Trenton Fellow. Ms. Walton and her husband reside in New Jersey with their 2 sons.

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Abigail Ayitiah, MSN, APRN, A-GNP-C As Clinical Manager of the Certified Home Health Aide Department for Samaritan, South Jersey-based, not-for-profit provider of lifeenhancing care in South Jersey, Abigail Ayitiah is responsible for recruiting, training, developing, and retaining a team of nearly 80 Certified Home Health Aides who provide individualized, patient-centered care for thousands of Samaritan patients and their families each year.

With extensive experience in nursing and care planning, Abigail’s compassion for providing expert care is a vital and valued component of an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual support counselors, volunteers, music therapists, pharmacists, and more. Abigail is devoted to ensuring Samaritan honors the traditions, values, and wishes of each patient while delivering the care they need and deserve. In addition to providing industry-leading patient care, Abigail utilizes her talent development skills to provide each Samaritan Home Health Aide with clinical resources, ongoing training, and interdisciplinary support that deliver on Samaritan’s promise not only to patients, but also to employees.

As a member of Samaritan’s management team, Abigail is committed to addressing issues of health equity and accessibility to life-enhancing care for all populations within the communities Samaritan has served since 1980.

Heather Simmons Heather Simmons is Deputy Director of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners. She is the first woman to serve in a leadership position in the county’s 336-year history and is the longest-serving woman on the board, in her 12th year.

Deputy Director Simmons serves as Liaison to the Department of Economic Development, Public Works and Land/Agriculture, which includes oversight of Economic and Community Development, Workforce Development, CDBG, Municipal Economic Development Council, Tourism, Engineering, Planning, Fleet Management, Roads and Highways, Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Tri-County Water Quality Management Board, Agricultural Development Board, and Rutgers Extension Services/4H, Land Preservation and the Certified Gardner Program. She is also the board’s liaison to the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce and serves as President of the New Jersey Association of Counties Foundation Board. She also sits on the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Board as well as the New Jersey Association of Counties Board. In 2021, Commissioner Simmons launched the 75-member Gloucester County Economic Recovery Collaborative with a focus on post-pandemic economic recovery and resiliency. She spearheaded the County’s first small business revolving loan fund, resulting in over $15 million in 175 loans for Gloucester County businesses, and helped create the Small Business Recovery Grant program. She earned her under graduate degree from Saint Joseph’s University and a graduate degree from Rowan University where she serves as Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. Simmons is running for New Jersey State Assembly in the 3rd district, with the goal of expanding South Jersey access to resources for working families, education, workforce development, regional employer retention and community well-being.

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DDS, FAGD, FADI, Presenter

“The Mouth Is The Gateway To The Body”

•Graduate of Dillard and Howard Universities •Published Researcher (Louisiana State University) •Former Faculty Member: Temple University School of Dentistry (Oral Medicine Department) •Former Dental Director with the South Jersey Health System’s Community Health Care

•Repeated Guest Lecturer WSNJ Radio •Guest on “Your Mornings” CN8 with Connie Colla & Greg Coy •Guest on NBC10 with Terry Ruggles •Guest on “Health watch” with Renee Chennault-Fattah •Guest on “Good Day Philadelphia Fox 29” with John Anderson •Repeated Guest on KYW3 with Ukee Washington •Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry •Board of Trustees Member New Jersey Academy of General Dentistry •Fellow, Academy of Dentistry International •Past President “New Jersey Academy of General Dentistry” •Former Marketing Council Chairperson for the Academy of General Dentistry •Voted one of the “Top General Dentist” by South Jersey Magazine •Articles/Statements appearing in Essence, AARP, Parent Magazines, and a host of Associated Press Newspapers.

•Spokes dentist for the Academy of General Dentistry

•2nd Term as 2nd Vice President with the Gloucester County NAACP •Expert Witness in Dental Personal Injury Litigation

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On Another Successful NAACP Women’s Conference e

FORD’s Chuck, Joyann, Hayden, and Ashton 18

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Jermaine Pratt CEO and Founder of then JPratt Shoes turned his vision into a brick and mortar reality. Adding to his high demand in shoe designing, he then added the most important component in fashion. JPratt Boutique was born, giving his clients a place to come to receive upscale one on one personal and private service(s).

It is no secret that Pratt’s church up bringing afforded him the opportunity to style and design for First Ladies and Head Pastors of mega churches in the New Jersey tri-state area. After many years of building an outstanding reputation in the churches, Pratt soon realized the need to expend outside the four walls of the church.

Casting his net further into the fashion world he quickly landed the attention of Philly Fashion Week which then pushed him onto the runways of Atlantic City, Miami and New York’s fashion weeks. In between fashion show seasons Pratt travels around the world styling celebrities who are attending red carpets at various awards show such as, The Dove Awards, BMI Trailblazers, Grammys, Stellars and more.

Just recently settling in from his International Ghana tour JPratt Boutique continues to capture the pure essence in what it means to make a statement and to also push the envelope.

Today, JPratt mission is to create statement pieces that introduce you when you walk I to a room. Men or women, big or small, everyone deserves their own spotlight!

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Mike Van Kline <djmikesmoov@gmail.com> 21

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Moving Forward and Putting the City First!

Donna Miller, Jo Miller, Fran Harwell, and Sam Ferraino SUPPORT WOODBURY COMMUNITY! Woodbury Democrat Chairman, Chuck Rose Paid for by the EFO Miller, Harwell, Ferraino 24

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Save The Date

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Fifth District Legislators

Senator Nilsa I. Cruz Pérez Assemblyman William W. Spearman & Assemblyman William F. Moen, Jr. are proud to support

Gloucester County NAACP Women’s Empowerment Conference

Assemblyman William F. Moen, Jr.

Senator Nilsa I. Cruz Pérez

Assemblyman William W. Spearman

Fifth Legislative District Working together to strengthen our district, our state and our country.

Camden City 231-L Market Street Camden, NJ 08102 T: 856.541.1251 F: 956.541.3415

Audubon 240 S. White Horse Pike Audubon, NJ 08106 T: 856.547.4800 F: 856.547.5496

Woodbury Professional Center 608 North Broad Street, Suite 200 Woodbury, NJ 08096 T: 856.853.2960 F: 856.853.2962

Paid for by EFO Nilsa Cruz Perez for Senate PO Box 1003, Camden, NJ 08101 EFO William W. Spearman for Assembly PO Box 1003, Camden, NJ 08101 EFO William F. Moen for Assembly PO Box 1003, Camden, NJ 08101 28

Thank You THE COMMITTEE H. LORETTA WINTERS TIFFANY B. WALKER CATHERINE “CAT” PAIGE DR. IRENE MINTZ, MD

YOLANDA GARCIA BALICKI, ESQ MELISSA FOX, MHA, FACMPE, FACHE DR. MELVIN PIERSON, DDS, FAGD, FADI 29

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Stewart Lake Park E. Red Bank Avenue Woodbury, NJ Vendors Food Sponsorships Entertainment After Concert with “de ja groove band”

...and more

Celebrate Women's Empowerment and FRNJ's First Intern 2022

ADIANNA ALSTON Best Wishes to a Great Heels In the Battlefield 2023!

Check out our latest stories at http://frontrunnernewjersey.com Donate to FRNJ Today to support Independent News Coverage of the Black Community. Find out more on our website.

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