La Neve's Banquet Hall, 276 Belmont Ave., Haledon

A New Vision for Paterson
A School Where Students Learn to Build Businesses—and Futures
Purchase your tickets for our community luncheon event: <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/universal-business-academy-charter-high-school-fundraiser-saturday--91226" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Click HERE</a>
Share a donation to invest in the future of Paterson’s youth: <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/fundraiser-for-the-future-uba" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Click HERE</a>
Complete our community survey to share your insights into what students need: <a href="https://forms.gle/E7XJd5RU7n5gmx5U8" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Click HERE</a>
PATERSON — Imagine a high school where students learn to develop a business idea, manage money, work as part of a team, use technology, or turn an invention or passion into a company of their own. That is the vision behind the proposed Universal Business Academy Charter High School — a school centered on rigorous academics, business, entrepreneurship, and technology, designed to give students the practical skills to create their own futures.
At the heart of the effort is Isaiah M. Jefferson, a long-term advocate for expanding opportunities for young people from low-income and underserved communities. His belief is simple but transformative: too many students are taught to prepare for jobs without being shown they can also become the people who create jobs. For Jefferson, entrepreneurship isn't just a subject — it's a pathway to independence, economic mobility, and community change.
A decade ago, Jefferson worked to establish a Universal Business Academy in Englewood, reaching the second phase of New Jersey's four-stage charter approval process. That vision has persisted — and now Jefferson and a group of educators, business leaders, and community members are bringing an expanded version of it to Paterson.
“Our students don’t need us to tell them what they should become,” says Mark Fischer, a Paterson community leader and veteran school district educator. “They need us to expose them to what they can become, help them understand the pathways to get there, and give them adults who believe in them while they’re figuring it out.”
Fischer points to a deeper challenge: “Students need help imagining themselves in successful futures. When young people don’t regularly see professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, coaches, and community leaders who look like them or come from their city, it can be difficult to envision those possibilities for themselves.”
“A mentor has great impact because it creates guided support from someone who has experience,” says Tonya Bradley, a Paterson native and entrepreneur mentored by Fischer at Eastside High School, and owner of Tonya’s Healing Circles. “Growing up in Paterson has had challenges, but with perseverance and resilience you can achieve anything — our students have that drive.”
The proposed school’s model is built to develop the thinking habits successful entrepreneurs, employees, and citizens need: problem-solving, reasoning, collaboration, creativity, and the ability to apply knowledge in unfamiliar situations. UBA plans to use the Designing Learning Model for Cognitive Impact, developed by Maryann Klaus — a model that, used with a cohort of students over four years, has already produced a 96% achievement and graduation rate in one Paterson high school.
In addition to Jefferson, the founding members include Maryann Klaus, creator of the Designing Learning Model and founder of the Center for Designing Learning; Mark Fisher, Founder of Making it Count with Coach Fisher; Taliah Givens, Senior Director of Student Professional Development Programs at the UNCF; Educator and CGW Institute founder Charles Ray; Attorney Albert C. Asphall; and Malcolm Pope, founder of Music Makers NJ.
JOIN US AND BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Time: Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Location: La Neve's Banquet Hall, 276 Belmont Ave., Haledon
This is your chance to come together around a bigger vision — a school in Paterson that helps a generation of young people understand they don’t have to wait for someone else to create opportunity for them. The event includes a full lunch buffet, drinks, and entertainment.
Tickets are selling out. Purchase your tickets online to attend the luncheon and learn more about UBA Charter High School: <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/universal-business-academy-charter-high-school-fundraiser-saturday--91226" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Click this link to purchase tickets</a>. Can’t attend but still want to help? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/fundraiser-for-the-future-uba" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Click this link to send a donation.</a>

Local Event: Universal Business Academy Charter School - Fundraiser & Information Event

Passaic County

Paterson

New Jersey

Universal Business Academy Charter School -...

A New Vision for Paterson
A School Where Students Learn to Build Businesses—and Futures
Purchase your tickets for our community...

Universal Business Academy Charter School - Fundraiser & Information Event

Taliah Givens

Passaic

Bergen County

New York City Metropolitan Area

Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook

Caren Lissner

Ridgewood-Glen Rock

 Jack Slocum

Wayne

Paramus

Hasbrouck Heights

Essex County

Verona-Cedar Grove

Wyckoff

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Montclair

River Dell

Bloomfield

This outdoor flea market has been a favorite venue for vendors and customers alike for over 18 years. Held in Main Memorial Park along one of the busiest streets, Main Avenue in Clifton between Piaget Avenue and Park Slope. This market features vendors selling an array of merchandise from new items to gently used 2nd hand items, collectibles and so much more. With the cost of everything rising the flea market is a good option to find reasonably priced items. Flea markets are traditionally more affordable for everyday household items, clothing, personal products, essentials, kids' toys, and more. So come check us out you never know what great bargains or treasures you may find. This event is a fundraiser for the Clifton Recreation Department. Hope to see you there!

Local Event: Main Memorial Park Flea & Collectible Market

Clifton

Main Memorial Park Flea & Collectible Market

This outdoor flea market has been a favorite venue for vendors and customers alike for over 18 years. Held in Main Memorial...

Montclair School of Real Estate, 89 Walnut St, Montclair, NJ 07042

<a href="https://www.montclairschoolofrealestate.com/enrolling-now-for-upcoming-classes.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">CLASS INFORMATION HERE</a>
 Real Estate License Course to prepare for the NJ state exam. Get started in a new career part-time or full-time.SUNDAYS * 9 am - 4:30 pm * Start SEPT 20 - NOV 22, 2026.EVENINGS * 6 pm - 10 pm * TUE/THUR * Start SEPT 22, 2026 WEEKDAYS * 9 am - 3:15 pm * Start OCT 13, 2026WEEKDAYS * 9 am - 3:15 pm * Start NOV 5, 2026 Enroll ONLINE: <a href="https://www.montclairschoolofrealestate.com/enrolling-now-for-upcoming-classes.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">montclairschoolofrealestate.com/enrolling-now-for-upcoming-classes</a>



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MontclairSchoolofRealEstate@gmail.com
 AND we are re-launching a NJ Real Estate Broker Directory to help new Agents find their first broker! If you are Hiring New or Experienced Agents - Get Listed!
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Local Event: Become a NJ Real Estate Agent * IN PERSON or ONLINE * NEW Classes

Become a NJ Real Estate Agent * IN PERSON or...

CLASS INFORMATION HERE
 Real Estate License Course to prepare for the NJ state exam. Get started in a new career part-time or...

Become a NJ Real Estate Agent * IN PERSON or ONLINE * NEW Classes

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