NEW JERSEY - On March 21, 2005 Acting Governor Richard Codey signed bill A1559 establishing the New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative Foundation.  The goal of the foundation is to enhance economic development and public participation in black arts, history and culture.

The foundation will help share the unique artistic and cultural experiences of the diverse black communities of New Jersey, including historic sites, artifacts, cuisines, venues and activities that authentically represent their heritage and stories of the past and present.

The foundation will seek to fulfill this goal by strengthening organizations who traditionally present and preserve black arts, history and culture---in addition to assisting other organizations in diversifying their program offerings and audiences. An essential goal of the foundation is to: increase the quality, length and number of visits to New Jersey-based venues; boost visitor spending; spur economic growth, including new jobs; and encourage the preservation of  historical and cultural assets by making them economically productive.

The foundation, also known as NJBCHI, has quietly been toiling in the background seeking to establish itself as a key resource of New Jersey.  The planning team initially formed in February 2003 with various members from the Department of State.  The core force, however, of the foundation remains Lawana Dykes, formerly of the NJ State Council on the Arts.

After forming a Steering Committee of nearly thirty black leaders from throughout New Jersey, NJBCHI set it sights on launching the foundation on February 15, 2004.  This date was historically significant for it marked the 200th anniversary of New Jersey’s gradual emancipation from slavery act, making New Jersey the last northern state to commence the ending of slavery in the United States.

Unfortunately, the planning team was unable to garner enough support to keep this historic date.
After several delays and set-backs, NJBCHI re-emerged with the signing of bill A1559 in March 2005. It now awaits its official launch from the Department of State.

The foundation will provide a unique public-private partnership for the state of New Jersey that could potentially provide great social and economic benefits.   As one of the first initiatives of its kind, the foundation is poised to serve as a national model.  Today, however, NJBCHI continues its behind-the-scenes toiling to be noticed, supported and launched.