Dr. Essien served as a Fulbright Professor in Nigeria, teaching at the Univer sity of Port Harcourt for one year. She has made presentations on her re search and educational initiatives at national and international meetings. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors from students, academic in stitutions, civic associations, churches, and scientific organizations. The Car negie Foundation named her the 1994-95 U.S. Professor of the Year for Research and Doctoral Universities.

Under the direction of Dr. Khan, the SIS / Project Beck program serves over 900 students per year, an increase of 85% in only four years. As Associate Di rector of ODASIS, Dr. Khan coordinates a MCAT course for ACCESS-MED students supported by New Jersey Medical School. ACCESS-MED is a pro gram offered by Rutgers University, Seton Hall University and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School for undergraduate students. He has also implemented several enrichment programs for University College and high school students.

For his efforts in education, Dr. Khan has received the President’s Award for Excellence in Administration, Award for Excellence in Retention, the Rutgers Award for Programmatic Excellence in Undergraduate Education and the New Jersey Medical School Award of Recognition. Among his most recent awards are the Human Dignity Award, Award for Leadership in Diversity, and Award for Distinguished Contributions to Undergraduate Education. Dr. Khan shares his experiences and successful program implementation strategies at various conferences such as the National Technical Association Conference, the Tri-State EOF Consortium in Philadelphia, the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund Conference, the Commission on Higher Education, the Assembly Regulatory Oversight Committee, and the American Association of Medical Colleges.

Dr. Kamal Khan brings to his position a professional degree in medicine. He believes that, “In order to motivate a student you need to build a rapport with the student that consists of trust, relationship and confidence”. In the past two years, 65 out of 76 students from African-American and Latino descent were accepted into post-graduate education in the medical field, and 25 have graduated with their M.D.’s!

After graduating with the highest honors from Rutgers College of Rutgers University and after attaining various honors while pursuing a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, Almonor went on to earn a federal and four state law li censes (NY, NJ, PA, & DC).

While at Rutgers, Mr. Almonor double majored in Africana Studies and Political Science with mini concentrations in both French and Mathematics. He was accepted to the Eagleton Institute of Politics and served in several student organizations. As the two-year president of 100 Black Men, and with the help of over 50 active members at the time, Almonor established a strong mentorship program with New Brunswick youth. He led sit-ins to protect campus Black institutions, established self-defense classes for women, and maintained a strong working relationship with the sisters of BWABU.

Almonor now speaks four languages including English, French, Creole and Basic Spanish, has led rites of passage programs for urban youth for over a decade and has many leadership honors and awards from various bar associations and community organizations. Most notably, Mr. Almonor has received: the US Congress Certificate of Special Recognition, the National Bar Association Leadership Award, the State of New Jersey Legislature, Resolution of Honor, US House of Representatives Congressional Record, and the Massachusetts Black Judges Book Award. Almonor is a part-time Lecturer with the Dept. of Africana Studies at Rutgers and has been published in many professional journals.

Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey is admired as a community activist, arts administrator and advocate for educational equity. Terry currently serves as first Vice President and Chief Program Officer at the Center for Leadership Development, a nonprofit in Central Indiana that fosters the advancement of minority youth by providing experiences that encourage personal development and educational attainment.

Before her assignment at CLD, Terry served as Director of Community Development for the City of Muncie, IN (population 70,000), overseeing a $7.5 million in government grants.

Prior to her appointment, Terry had a successful career as an arts administrator, serving as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Historic Madame Walker Theatre Center in Indianapolis and Cornerstone Center for the Arts in Muncie (IN).  In both organizations, she was instrumental in creating arts and community partnerships, increasing grants and donations, and developing arts education opportunities for children and youth. 

Terry previously held administrative positions with Ball State University, most notably as Chief of Staff for the Office of the President.  Terry is a member of the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is a founding member of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Team.

In 1986, Terry received her B.A. from Douglass College where she double majored in Dance and Communication. While at Rutgers, she was a member of RU Danceworks, and founded the Minority Student Dance Ensemble. She attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and received her M.A. in Dance Education, with an emphasis in Dance History. She completed post-graduate work in Management Development at Harvard University, and earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree (D.Min) from Newburgh Theological Seminary.

Terry is a Certified Nonprofit Consultant by the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Indiana State Legislative Arts Advocacy Council.  She has received three Mayor’s Community Service Awards, the Indiana Community Arts Leadership Award, the Indiana Women of Achievement Award, the Outstanding Service Award from Rotary International, Inc. and the prestigious Athena Award from Women in Business Unlimited (WIBU), Inc.

In 2019, Terry ran for Mayor of Muncie (IN). Although she was unsuccessful in her bid for office, she will go down in history as the first African American of either political party to win a primary bid for mayor in Muncie and to run in the general election.

Bio update – September 2021

Ms. Greene earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a BSN from Rutgers University College of Nursing and a Certificate in Bible Studies from the World Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY. She completed the Leadership Newark Public Policy Fellowship in 2007.

Ms. Greene is the president-elect of the Board of Trustees for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, North Jersey Affiliate. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society’s Eastern Division. She is an inaugural member of the leadership council for the Essex County, New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program (NJCEED). She has served as the National Black Nurses Association— Concerned Black Nurses of Newark Chapter— First Vice President since 2006.

In 2004, Green received the Humanism in Healthcare Award from the Health- care Foundation of New Jersey for her compassion, empathy, respect and cultural sensitivity in the delivery of healthcare. In 2007 she received the American Cancer Society’s St George’s National Award for outstanding contributions to efforts toward the control of cancer. She has appeared on many radio and television programs and made presentations at several national conferences and workshops including her June 2006 testimony to the NJ Assembly Budget Committee regarding Governor Corzine’s proposed budget FY 2006-07 and the April 2006 Caucus: New Jersey with Steve Adubato “Breast Cancer: Access to Quality Care.”

Ms. Greene is an active member of her community as president of the Mount Vernon School Parent Teachers Association. She is the mother of three children, Jayde (12), Xavier William (10), and Gabrielle Alesia (8), and lives in Newark with her husband, William.

Professor Robinson is the recipient of the 2007 Faculty Pioneer Rising Star award from the Aspen Institute for his research, teaching and service activities at the intersection of business and society. His research projects cover the areas of high growth African American women entrepreneurs, early stage social entrepreneurship, inner city business development and economic development in western and southern Africa.

Professor Robinson is the co-editor (with Johanna Mair and Kai Hockerts) of the research volume Social Entrepreneurship and the forthcoming, International Perspectives in Social Entrepreneurship and co-founder of the International Social Entrepreneurship Research Conference. His most recent papers explore the role of social entrepreneurship and social venture incubators in economic development and the intersection of wealth, race and new venture creation. He advises several social ventures and social entrepreneurship initiatives including the Louisiana Lt. Governor’s Office of Social Entrepreneurship. He is a sought after speaker, author and media commentator appearing on PBS, Dateline NBC, NBC Nightly News and in the New York Times.

Professor Robinson holds degrees in engineering, urban studies and organization theory. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a B.A. in Urban Studies from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; an M.S. in Civil Engineering Management from Georgia Institute of Technology and an M. Phil. and a Ph.D. from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.

As a past President of the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey, and Past President of her Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Chair of the National Trends and Services Committee of her local Chapter of the Links, Inc. along with her membership in the Coalition of 100 Black Women, the National Council of Negro Women, the Drifters, Inc., and the National Congress of Black Women, Dr. Harley quickly realized the potential and power of organized groups of Black women to effectuate change in America.

She is renowned for her expertise in putting coalitions of Black women together to get positive electoral and legislative results that benefit the communities the groups serve.

She was the Vice President of Administration and Finance at Essex County College having previously served as the Essex County Administrator where she made history as the first woman ever to the hold the position. Prior to joining Essex County, Dr. Harley served as the Executive Director of the Newark Downtown District, New Jersey’s largest Special Improvement District.

She is an honors graduate of Douglass College and Rutgers Law School. She has won many awards for her work as the Director of Community Development for First Union Bank and Fleet Bank in New Jersey where she held the corporate title of Senior Vice President.

Dr. Harley was the first African ~ American elected to the South Orange City Council where she also served as Mayor. She has been cited twice by the New Jersey State Legislature for her work in community and economic development in targeted urban areas in the State.

Joyce has taught courses on Community Development and Leadership Development as an adjunct professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She designed, developed, and taught 2 courses on The Harlem Renaissance for the Montclair Adult School. She was a frequently called upon instructor at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Entrepreneurial Training Institute where she taught small business owners how to develop successful business plans, effectively market their products and services, maximize their company’s upside potential while minimizing its downside risk,  and gain access to capital. Dr. Harley currently serves at a Visiting Associate at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics in New Brunswick, NJ. 

Dr. Harley’s lifetime of extraordinary achievement in academic, social, and business endeavors was recognized in 2008 when she was inducted into the Rutgers University African American Alumni Alliance Hall of Fame. In 2009 she was invited to serve on the University’s Board of Trustees where she chaired the Committee on Buildings and Grounds.

In April, 2011, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appointed Joyce to serve on the UMDNJ Advisory Committee to do a thorough analysis of the best way to deliver medical education in the State of New Jersey. Ms. Harley is the only woman and the only African American to serve on this highly visible Committee. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Harley was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Public Affairs/Public Administration Honor Society at Rutgers University ~Newark.

In March, 2012 Joyce Harley was named Garden State Woman of the Year by Garden State Woman Magazine in recognition of her many years of outstanding service as a public servant and her lifelong commitment to advancing the political, economic, and educational status of women worldwide.

Her financial skills and commitment to education led Odyssey International to confer its Award of Excellence to Joyce in 2013 and the National Council of Negro Women to invite her to give the keynote address at its 2014 Harambee Breakfast. 

Joyce Harley is a past President of the Board of Trustees of the Newark Emergency Services for Families. She is a Past President of The Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey and is also the Past President of the Montclair Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In addition to serving as Parliamentarian, Dr. Harley chaired the National Trends & Services Committee for the Essex County Chapter of The Links, Inc. where she led a coalition of over 33 Black Women’s organizations in “Operation Big Vote” a community based voter registration drive that resulted in adding over 10,000 new voters in the State of New Jersey. Dr. Harley is the immediate past President of The Zonta Club of Essex County and in June, 2014 she was invited to serve on the Economic Development Committee of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.

 Her financial savvy and knowledge of economic development led Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to appoint her to serve as Board Chair for the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation in 2015.

She was awarded the Sojourner Truth Award by the National Congress of Black Women on September 28, 2014 for dedication to fostering the principles for which Sojourner Truth stood: Liberty, Equality, Justice and Truth.

In March, 2015 Newark Mayor Ras Baraka installed Dr. Harley as a Commissioner on the city’s newly created Commission on the Status of Women to highlight and address the needs of women in the Newark metropolitan region.

Dr. Harley’s lifelong commitment to guaranteeing every citizen the right to vote and participate in our participatory democracy was recognized by the Essex County Democratic Committee on March 31, 2015 when they inducted her into their Hall of Fame.

In March, 2016 Joyce received the Dream Maker Leadership Award from Save Our Nations for the leadership she showed when addressing fears and myths about the Ebola virus on her campus at Essex County College. Her refusal to allow students who hailed from the African continent to be stereotyped or stigmatized was heralded by the organization and served a model for other colleges in New Jersey.

In, December 2018, Dr. Harley was invited to join the Northeasterners, Inc.an organization of Black women committed to expanding the global horizons of Black women leaders worldwide.

She is the founder of the Bibliophiles, Inc.~ An African American Reading Group… the oldest, continuously operating, incorporated Black book club in America.

Dr. Harley is most proud of the recognition she received from The Southern Poverty Law Center by having her name placed on the Law Center’s Wall of Tolerance for her contributions to the ongoing fight against hatred and intolerance in America.

She is a published author having written articles on neighborhood revitalization for “The New Jersey Banker” and articles on why and how African American women should run for public office in “NiaOnline”. 

Dr. Harley is a frequent guest lecturer and keynote speaker for educational, business and civic organizations throughout the United States and abroad.

Currently, Hibbert is the Founder, President, and Chief Technology Officer for BCT Partners, a multi-million dollar strategic management, technology, and organization development consulting firm based in Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Hibbert works with the Management team to provide executive leadership and direction for all aspects of the company, including the management of internal operations, product and service offering, partnership opportunities, marketing, business development, technical direction, and sales support.

His experience as an entrepreneur extends over 13 years and includes three ventures: BCT Partners, Access One Corporation, and MBS Educational Ser vices and Training. As a founder and managing partner in each of the busi nesses, Mr. Hibbert has established himself as a seasoned businessman with deep experience in building, developing and growing thriving businesses.

Within the community, Hibbert supported the Transition Team for the City of Newark’s Mayor, Cory Booker. He provided input in crafting the strategic vi sion for technology in the administration and served as a member of the Small Business Development Subcommittee for Economic Development.

Hibbert is a proud member of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Som erset, NJ where he is active as a Technology Advisor and a “Walking” Deacon. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, Mr. Hibbert is proud of his Panamanian heritage. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers University and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA from Rutgers Business School. He is happily married to his wife, Patrell, and resides in Franklin Park, New Jersey with their sons, Caleb Joseph and Joshua Christopher.