The Southern New Jersey Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW100) hosted its 20th annual Candace Women of Achievement Awards in Berlin on March 30 to celebrate females who’ve made remarkable contributions to community service, economic empowerment and leadership.
Among them is Angela M. Brown, a religious leader and co-founder of Perfecting Ministries in Washington Township. A resident of Gloucester Township, she is executive director of Loving Our Cities, a community development nonprofit focused on civic engagement, education and workforce development.
“I feel seen,” Brown shared at the awards. “I’ve received various awards throughout my journey, with most honoring me for an accomplishment. While achievement is at the center of the NCBW100 Candace Awards, this tribute felt more like a recognition of who I am, not just what I’ve done.”
Brown admitted that her journey to faith leadership was unexpected.
“I never saw nor considered myself a ‘faith’ leader,” she acknowledged. “In fact, I despised the idea after witnessing so many abuses enacted in the name of God, but engineered by men. Ironically, leadership in the Christian tradition is perpetually tied with being a follower. As a follower of Christ, leadership is synonymous with service.”
Brown’s dedication to faith and social justice has led her to serve on several international and local boards, including the Churches for Middle East Peace Advisory Board and the Bethlehem Bible College U.S. Board of Directors.
She is also a vice chair of the Rowan University Foundation Board; a member of the Winslow Township Economic Development Council; and co-chaplain of The Links Inc., South Jersey chapter, part of an international nonprofit committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans.
Faith plays an essential role in today’s communities, particularly for women of color, Brown emphasized.
“In the wake of the rollback of DEI initiatives and a very public attempt to erase Blackness, NCBW100’s recognition served as an IV for me,” she noted, “energizing me to show up unapologetically as my full self, as a public witness for the glory of God and the good of others.”
Brown’s commitment to service extends beyond her ministry. With more than 20 years of experience in public relations, advocacy and international affairs, she amplifies the voices of women and marginalized communities while promoting social justice. Brown has mentored formerly incarcerated individuals and served on the Philadelphia Commission on Aging.
Her other leadership awards are numerous, including the Gloucester County Commissioners’ Women of Achievement Award and the NAACP Game Changers Award. Brown holds dual master’s degrees in social work from Columbia University and the Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, with a focus on social justice.
The awards event also honored mayors, business leaders and community advocates, including Bridget Phifer, in the category for economic empowerment; Vivian Hanson for community service; and mayors Samantha Whitfield of Willingboro; Jody Veler of Salem City; Jamila Odom-Garnett of Chesilhurst; and La’Daena Londo of Penns Grove.
As the ceremony concluded, Brown offered advice to young women called to leadership in their faith communities.
“Titles are beneath those who already wear a crown,” she emphasized. “Just start serving, go where the need is and become who this world needs: you.”
