How the AACCNJ’s Training & Development Institute is dismantling systemic barriers to build a new standard.
TRENTON, NJ — Two years ago, Demetra Alston encountered the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) Training & Development Institute (TDI) during what she describes as a “troubling time.” She was experiencing homelessness and relying on NJ SNAP benefits, uncertain about what the future held—or even what the “Pathways to Recovery” program entailed.
“At first I’m like, what is this? What am I applying to?” Alston recalls.
At the Institute, Executive Director Vivian Harmon and Program Director Nyanpu Kerkulah created space for her to feel seen and valued as an individual rather than simply another participant.
“Not a lot of programs take that kind of time,” Alston explains. “They really listen. They want to understand you. That was pivotal for me.”
As she progressed through the program, Institute leadership recognized her potential and commitment. That recognition evolved into opportunity. The team invited Alston to join the organization, transforming her journey from participant to professional. Today, she serves as an Employment and Outreach Specialist, helping others navigate the same systems she once relied upon for stability.
“Here I am two years later, still going,” Alston says.
Demetra’s journey represents one example of TDI’s broader strategy. The Training & Development Institute operates through coordinated initiatives that address systemic barriers, workforce engagement, and economic stabilization. Its recent Expungement Clinic brought that integrated approach into focus—demonstrating how legal relief and employment pathways intersect to create tangible forward movement.
A Unified Front for Re-Entry
The Expungement Clinic reflects the Institute’s structured approach to re-entry—one that recognizes legal standing, employment access, and economic stability as interconnected pillars. Instead of treating these challenges separately, the AACCNJ Training & Development Institute aligns legal partnerships, workforce preparation, and employer engagement to create forward momentum for returning citizens.
“At the core of our mission is to help individuals reach higher levels of self-sufficiency and access equitable pay,” explains Vivian Harmon, Executive Director of Training and Development.
For returning citizens, legal records can restrict access to employment and housing. Addressing that reality requires coordinated intervention. To support this effort, the Institute partnered with Valisha Desir, Esq. and The Glory Firm to provide on-site legal guidance and assistance with filing expungement petitions.
“When you set your intention to do better or to be great, nothing can stop you—not even your criminal record,” says Desir.
Her firm offers direct legal expertise during the clinic, helping participants initiate the formal processes necessary to move forward. By situating legal relief within a broader workforce strategy, the Institute strengthens the pathway from record clearance to economic reintegration.
The Infrastructure of Opportunity
The Training & Development Institute operates as a network of hubs throughout the state with Mercer County as its headquarters where resources, opportunities and information converge. Each component reinforces economic mobility while supporting long-term stability.
The Expungement Clinic offered services and opportunities for attendees to engage on site including:
- Workforce Program Enrollment: TDI team members, Khadir Williams– Program Coordinator, Melody Holiday- Intake Coordinator and Nyanpu Kerkulah– Program Director, offered on site career services navigation discussions and intake services to get participants enrolled for programs that can support their training and employment needs.
- Entrepreneurship and the Mobile Academy: Carmen Gates, Vice President of Community Development, highlights specialized programming for individuals seeking to build independent economic pathways. Through the Mobile Academy, returning citizens and their families gain exposure to entrepreneurship education and practical business development tools that support sustainable enterprise.
- Navigating the Court System: Legal clarity often influences employment consistency and financial stability. Fabiola Herrera, representing the courts, provides guidance on civil, family, and criminal court processes. While she does not provide legal advice, she assists individuals in initiating matters related to parenting time, visitation, and child support—issues that directly impact economic security.
- Vocational Success: The Institute creates pathways into high-demand careers, including support for obtaining marketable credentials like Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL). According to Vivian Harmon, this and other credentials can alter a household’s financial trajectory by opening access to stable employment within in-demand industries throughout our state.
- Nutritional and Health Literacy: In partnership with The Food Trust, the Institute integrates health literacy into workforce preparation. Hannah Stutzman emphasizes that ServSafe certification and nutritional education prepare participants entering the food service and hospitality sectors to meet professional standards while understanding the connection between health and workplace performance.
- Higher Education and County Partnership: Emmanuel Juah, representing Mercer County Community College was on site to expose participants to academic and career training opportunities. This collaboration strengthens the bridge between training and long-term credential attainment.
Together, these offerings form TDI’s interconnected ecosystem—one designed to address the structural, systemic, and economic factors that shape opportunity.
Empowering Excellence: Edison, Latimer, and the Mission Forward
The Training & Development Institute is in the process of moving from its current headquarters to its new building, The Transformation Center — a space grounded in a deep respect for historical excellence. The Center occupies a building formerly associated with Thomas Edison, creating a meaningful connection during Black History Month.
Community Development Officer Bydeia Harmon reflects on that symbolism. While Edison remains widely recognized for his industrial contributions, Harmon emphasizes the role of Lewis Latimer—the Black inventor whose development of the carbon filament made the lightbulb commercially viable.
“This is Black history right here,” Harmon asserts.
“Lewis Latimer was that pivotal moment that created the filament, which allowed for a greater invention,” she explains. “Black people have always had a presence within history. They’ve always been prominent in success, excellence, and legacy. We have to continue to drive that forward—and that’s an everyday mission for the Chamber.”
The reference underscores continuity rather than contrast. Innovation has long been part of New Jersey’s legacy, and the Institute builds upon that foundation by expanding access to opportunity.
The Training and Development Institute continues fostering programming and initiatives founded in representation and visibility. As Vivian Harmon states, “We remain boots on the ground… engaged with our communities in real time providing our people an opportunity to see themselves in us fostering trust and alignment.”
When the Transformation Center opens, equity will be embedded in structured support, coordinated partnerships, and sustained leadership. The result is measurable progress—evident in stories like Demetra Alston’s and reinforced through initiatives like the Expungement Clinic. Together, they illustrate a model where access, excellence, and opportunity move forward in alignment.
The Transformation Center will be fully operational in Summer 2026.