Sneaker Room Founder Suraj Kaufman to Receive NJCU Presidential Medallion at 2026 Commencement

New Jersey City University President Andres Acebo has announced that Suraj Kaufman, founder and CEO of Sneaker Room and the Sneaker Room Foundation, will receive the Presidential Medallion at the university’s 2026 Commencement on May 19, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark.

The honor follows Kaufman receiving the Key to Jersey City in January, presented by then-Mayor Steven Fulop. The Sneaker Room Foundation described the moment on social media at the time, noting that Kaufman’s journey was “rooted in Jersey City” from growing up in the Marion Projects to building a business and consistently giving back.

Acebo credited Kaufman’s work in youth empowerment and community development as the basis for the recognition.

“From founding a nationally recognized business to establishing a foundation that has touched thousands of lives, Suraj has demonstrated how entrepreneurship and philanthropy can work hand in hand to create meaningful, lasting change,” Acebo said.

Kaufman responded to the announcement in a statement. “To be honored for my philanthropy by New Jersey City University in my hometown hits differently and reminds me of where I come from,” he said. “I never do this work for recognition, but it is deeply humbling.”

The ceremony will be NJCU’s final commencement as an independent institution before its merger with Kean University on July 1, 2026, forming Kean Jersey City.