Event Photography: Erick Og | Eazyland

Community Sponsor: Minuteman Press

Event Sponsors: Minuteman Press, Roxy Florist, Wet Ink 104, ‘O Boyle Funeral Home, NJ
Transit Employee “Mama Rose,” jukGajee- New Thai Jersey Cuisine
Restaurant, and Cut Creators.
Event Venue: The Coffee Cave – 45 Halsey St. Newark, NJ 07102  Admission was: $10
PDF: E-mail project@thegemproject.org for a pdf version of this review for your website.

The Gem Project Young Professional Networking Mixer benefits are an innovative way to raise funding for our many programs, while highlighting other causes or organizations. However, on March 25, 2011 we highlighted 4 panelists who are successful entrepreneurs and raised funding for our interactive literacy programs, which are making the transition from occurring monthly to weekly. The Gem Project also holds eight (main) other programs for the community. Please refer to this NJ.com article for their descriptions  (here).

Image description (above): The Gem Project event planning team strung metallic stars above the kitchen of the venue, and gave the illusion of having a starry night inside the venue.

Guests arrived networking and enjoying the complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by Parul Punjani of the Event Planning Division- The Gem Project, Inc.

The backroom was prepared for the panel discussion. Each panelist and talent received several goodies in their blue giftbag. Courtesy of Roxy Florist, our sponsor, was able to deliver flowers for each panelist and jukGajee-  New Jersey Thai Restaurant, also provided each panelist and talent with a gift from their restaurant.

Our favorite ‘Gem Project’ cupcakes were gone again with a blink of an eye. Guests indulged on these complimentary treats and other delights.

Several professionals came out to listen and gain insight about their own professional and personal lives from our dynamic well-seasoned successful panel of community stars.

Panelists included (L to R): Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche- CLD Financial Life and author of “The One Week Budget,” Tamara Hawkins, RN – Stork and Cradle, Inc, MG Oania – MG Oania Photography, and Elizabeth Ngonzi – Amazing Taste, LLC.

Comedian Mike Brown broke the ice with laughter. He filled the room with chuckles that warmed everyone’s hearts. Comedian Mike Brown even made the founder have a cramp because she laughed so hard. You can see his acts in NYC at Caroline’s and Laugh Lounge, to name a few.

Omar Ramon brought passion and love through his vocal abilities that night. The crowd as well as the panel were in complete awe. He was able to garner the crowd’s participation and support throughout his pieces.

Some of the Gem Project crew decided to take a photo after the event. They’re seen here shaping their hands in the shape of a G, to stand for the Gem Project. (L to R) Amanda A. Ebokosia, Kanika Sachdeva, Capri Lewis (back), Parul Punjani, Des Shawn’a, Tiffani N. Artis.

Our Message:

On behalf of all the Gem Project, we thank you for your support! Many of you have seen our philosophy of education, youth, and leadership blossom into a fruitful organization. We thrive on your words of encouragement and we live for our mission. This organization is built on community support and positive actions to see what it is we all believe in, our youth.

We believe in you, continue to believe in us.

Well Wishes,

The Gem Project, Inc.


Please visit the main website, www.thegemproject.org. This is just a subpage, the TEAM Blog.