The only chamber to serve the LGBTQ business community statewide, and its corporate allies, has rebranded today to usher in the organization’s next chapter as it becomes the fastest growing organization for professionals in the state. The brand transformation will help to elevate the state’s LGBTQ community’s economic growth. The organization encourages career upward mobility, provides educational business resources and fun networking opportunities regularly.
For business professionals who identify as diverse and LGBTQ the NJPCC, formerly known as the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce, has adopted its new name, complete with a new brand personality, logo, newly-redesigned website, and an upgraded association management tool to better enhance its members’ experience and encourage those who qualify to become certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBT-BEs).
The branding transformation process was spearheaded by Stephen P. Blazejewski, President of NJPCC, who over the course of the last year–was appointed by its board of directors as the Chamber’s President in 2021. He is the youngest President to preside over a Chamber in the state. He has worked to improve the brand, as well as reorganize the board and its processes, in order to add more value to its membership.
After a competitive search, the Chamber chose 96ANDX, a certified LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE), marketing and design agency to facilitate the new brand’s overall design and look. Jake Yablonski, the CEO and Founder of 96ANDX, originally opened the business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has since moved the agency to Los Angeles, California, but continues to bring on clients from coast to coast. Yablonski, along with his business partner and Creative Director, Ben Red, first led NJPCC through a series of stakeholder audits to understand the various needs and concerns of the organization’s current members, partners, and supporters.
“We found that the Chamber’s old brand was outdated and it drove a lack of awareness that reduced enthusiasm among our stakeholders. In an effort to drive increased organizational growth and deliver maximum value in today’s ever-changing world, we were due for an update,” said Stephen P. Blazejewski, President of NJPCC, and a Certified Financial Planner at Equitable Advisors in Woodbridge, NJ for the past five years.
The new branding is designed to emulate LGBTQ prosperity, capture the spirit of the community’s approachability and courageousness, as well as how they empower one another to proudly live their truth said the organization.
The NJPCC logo’s uniquely designed signature “P” stands for “pride” and ties into the strategic foundation of the organization by speaking to the forward momentum that the vibrant and dynamic community drives to the state’s local economy.
Blazejewski, a resident of Cliffwood for almost two years and a Trenton native, is a summa cum laude graduate of Montclair State University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in Finance and Management. He understands that businesses in New Jersey and its owners are in need of community, constantly looking for a place to connect with other like-minded professionals especially in today’s constantly shifting world.
Under Blazejewski’s leadership, NJPCC is forging a brighter path towards a more equitable, and economically prosperous era for the LGBTQ business community in New Jersey said the organization today. “We have many exciting announcements that are in the works which we believe will better position the Chamber to help our members shape the future of New Jersey’s business landscape and build a stronger in-person network,” he said.
In celebration of the brand transformation, the organization will host a Brand Launch Party on Saturday, February 12th, in Long Branch, where Chamber members and non-members can network over a brunch with fabulous cocktails, receive giveaways and learn more about the organization’s upcoming plans in 2022.
Get your tickets now as seating is limited: Click here to purchase your ticket.
