Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. is a respected pastor, public servant, and thought leader. He served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 1990–2021, growing the congregation and launching community programs in housing, tech, and entrepreneurship. As New Jersey’s first African-American Secretary of State from 1999–2002, he created youth violence prevention programs and later chaired the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. He founded faith-based nonprofits like the Central Jersey CDC and Harvest of Hope, and launched the dfree® Financial Freedom Movement to promote debt-free living, featured in CNN’s Almighty Debt. A trusted advisor, he serves on corporate boards and leads Corporate Community Connections. Academically, he holds degrees from Fordham, Princeton Theological Seminary, and United Theological Seminary, and has taught at multiple institutions. PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM/INITIATIVE: BIGGER & BETTER BUSINESS