American Conference on Diversity Will Recognize U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, Award-Winning Journalist Soledad O’Brien, NJ Devils & New Jersey Natural Gas COO Kathleen Ellis at the 66th Anniversary State Dinner

The American Conference on
Diversity will celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding individuals and
organizations committed to diversity and inclusion and essential to New
Jersey’s success during the spectacular 66th Anniversary State Humanitarian
Dinner. This annual event will be held at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West
Orange, NJ, on Thursday, April 3.

The American Conference on
Diversity State Humanitarian Dinner is one of New Jersey’s premier events for
corporate and community leaders to network, enjoy an evening of cocktails and
entertainment, and help raise funds to support leadership-development programs
for high-school students throughout the state. An exciting silent auction will
include art, sports memorabilia, Judith Ripka jewelry, and more.

The 2014 State Humanitarian
honorees, including the recipient of the new Bridge Builder Award, are:

►
Humanitarian Award –
U.S. Senator Cory A. Booker is the first Black U.S. Senator from New
Jersey. He served as mayor of Newark, NJ, from 2006 to 2013 before being elected to the United States
Senate in a special election in October 2013. During his tenure as
mayor, he made economic development, greenspace expansion, and reducing crime
 priorities. Sen. Booker grew up in the suburbs of northern New Jersey and
earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford. He then studied in
England on a Rhodes Scholarship, earning another graduate degree in American
history. After graduating from Yale College of Law, Sen. Booker began his
career in the world of nonprofit law. In 1998, he was elected to the Newark City
Council, launching his successful political career.

►Humanitarian
Award – Soledad
O’Brien is an award-winning journalist, documentarian, news anchor,
producer, and television personality. In June 2013, O’Brien launched Starfish
Media Group, a multi-platform media production and distribution company,
dedicated to uncovering and producing empowering stories that take a
challenging look at the often divisive issues of race, class, wealth, poverty,
and opportunity, through personal stories. She is the originator of the highly
successful documentary series “Black in America” and “Latino in America,” which
will continue being produced under Starfish Media Group (SMG). Through SMG,
O’Brien will also contribute additional programming to CNN, HBO Real Sports, Al
Jazeera America, and National Geographic Channel. In the wake of Hurricane
Katrina, O’Brien and her husband, Brad, created The O’Brien Raymond Starfish
Foundation to help disadvantaged young women get to and through college.

►Humanitarian Award – Kathleen T. Ellis, is the Chief
Operating Officer at New Jersey Natural Gas, where she is responsible
for the delivery of energy and customer service to over half a million
residential and business customers. Additionally, she oversees the development
and successful implementation of marketing strategy and new business
development, long and short-term communication, regulatory, government
relations and environmental policies and strategies, and the development and
implementation of all customer and community relations programs. Ms. Ellis
serves as President of the Board of Directors for 180 Turning Lives Around and
is a board member of Meridian Hospitals Corporation, PAM’s List – New Jersey,
and New Jersey Future, serving as Secretary and an Executive Committee member.
She is also an advisory board member of Interfaith Neighbors, Inc., in Asbury
Park and the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance Advisory Committee at
Rutgers’ Bloustein School.

►NEW Bridge Builder Award – The New Jersey Devils, a
professional ice hockey team based in Newark and the only major sports team to
brand itself as a New Jersey franchise, is committed to building bridges across
NJ communities. The organization’s goal is to create a better future for today’s youth through a
variety of organized athletic programs. Though the charitable foundation of the New Jersey Devils and
Prudential Center, Devils Care, the organization has raised and donated funds,
goods, and services to ease the suffering of New Jerseyans. For a copy of the
latest Devils and Prudential Center Foundation Community Report, click here.

To purchase tickets for the 66th
Anniversary State Humanitarian Dinner, contact our Gala Coordinator Barbara
Getze at bgetze@aol.com or (800) 626-8097.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Special Anniversary ads and sponsorship
opportunities are also available.

About the American Conference
on Diversity

The programs, services, and
initiatives of the American Conference on Diversity are among the most
important work focused on creating a more inclusive society. It is the
unfinished business of living in a highly diverse nation: educating and
empowering our next generation of leaders; enhancing our workplaces; and
helping to create inclusive communities. The American Conference on Diversity,
which has been serving schools, organizations, workplaces, and communities in
New Jersey since 1948, builds on a historic mission and creates programs and
activities relevant and vital to 21st Century life. It is a journey we can all
take together. The American Conference on Diversity operates Regional Community
Networks covering all of New Jersey. Visit www.AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org to learn more.