Fight for what’s right: African American gala highlights success of Black business community – and challenges it still faces

She had passed numerous physical and psychological challenges. Outlasted hundreds of other candidates in the only-the-best-can-survive competition. Earned the right — the right, the honor, the privilege and the duty — to take a bullet and give her life for the president of the United States. The fact that she was one of few females to make this journey had no impact on her selection. The fact she was the very first female of color wasn’t a factor, either. This was at a time when D, E and I were just letters guessed on a game show. To be sure, when Cheryl Tyler served on the secret service details for presidents George Bush (the father) and Bill Clinton, it was because she earned the right on merit. John Harmon, founder and CEO of the African American Chamber of N.J. (left) and Chamber Chair Gary Mann (right) are with former secret service agent, Cheryl Tyler, the keynote speaker at the chamber’s annual gala Wednesday night. Her story does not have a glorious ending. Tyler, serving as the keynote speaker Wednesday night at the 15th annual Circle of Achievement awards gala of the African American Chamber of Commerce, told the audience her...