Bernard & Associates - Specializing in Extraordinary Services, Projects and Events

Bernard & Associates is a unique firm who’s Principal has a deep understanding and extensive experience in how to develop events, projects and marketing initiatives targeted at the African American consumer and community. For three decades Donald Bernard, Sr. has been providing services to corporations, small businesses, non-profit community based organizations and units of government in a wide array of areas designed to penetrate this target market and audience. Mr. Bernard has associated himself with a number of professionals with credentials, experience and acumen in the service areas his firm provides. Bernard & Associates brings a specialized team approach to all projects and events. This organization truly provides extraordinary services to Special Projects and Events.

Don Bernard can truly be measured by his deeds as well as his words. His present labor of love is serving as Chairman of the African American Heritage Parade Committee Inc. Under his leadership, the Committee has revitalized one of the most important institutions in our community and produced numerous first class events and fourteen parades now being labeled “The Best Parade in New Jersey”. Through a new vision, what began as a parade has expanded to a Calendar of Events celebrating the pride and prosperity of African American people. It has also spawned a committee dedicated to bringing forth awareness of crucial educational, economic, and social issues affecting African Americans. This celebration is currently the largest most celebrated Black cultural event in New Jersey (see www.aahpc.org )for more information.

Bernard & Associates has teamed up with a several awarded Film Makers to provide exceptional film making services. These firms have joined forces to gather support for the Bernard and Associates Calendar of Events featuring the Statewide African American Heritage Parade and Festival.

In 1984, Mr. Bernard ventured into entrepreneurship opening his own consulting firm, Bernard & Associates. Part of his work during this period, which he still continues was with a non-profit consultant firm which carries a message of choice and hope to our community in the area of gang prevention and drug education. He also applies himself as an educational reform, communications, wealth building, and planning and management consultant.

Donald Bernard Sr. is a fifth generation Newarker. Don received his Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors from Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina in 1969. He received his Master of Regional Planning degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1971, matriculating as a Ford and Housing and Urban Development Fellow. He has also pursued advanced studies at the Rutgers New House Law and Criminal Justice School. Mr. Bernard has held numerous administrative positions including, Director of Interim Assistance, a 1.5 million dollar physical development post-riot program. His community activism prepared him to serve for ten (10) years as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Newark, Recycling Inc., which recycled waste materials while rehabilitating ex-offenders and recovering addicts. He also served as Manager of Special Projects for Newark Watershed and Development Corporation for seventeen years.

Don has also championed the crusade for Building Wealth in the African American Community. This effort is in partnership with the diversity division of Lord Abbett & Co and Washington Mutual. The projects’ goal is to bring Wealth Building Workshops to the African American Community throughout New Jersey.