Trenton, NJ John Harmon Sr., IMO, has spent over two decades championing the cause of Black businesses in New Jersey, leaving an unfading mark as a leader, advocate, and visionary. As the founder and long-serving president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), he has played a pivotal role in overcoming disparities faced by Black entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, the chamber has grown into a thriving organization, representing diverse industries and sectors. John’s commitment to servant leadership, perseverance, and forging strategic partnerships with government, corporate sectors, and communities has solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the fight for Black economic empowerment.
In an exclusive interview with the nation’s premier faith-based and professional newspaper for winners, Anointed News Journal, Mr. Harmon shares his relentless dedication to elevating the profile of Black entrepreneurs.
Collins:
Who is John E. Harmon Sr., IOM?
Harmon Sr.:
Well, I’m one of seven kids born in Trenton, New Jersey—five boys and two girls. I’m the youngest of the five boys. My parents both migrated from Virginia to New Jersey. My mother was a factory worker, and my dad and his father came to New Jersey to run a potato grader in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Over time, they brought people up from Virginia to work at the potato processing plant, and many of them still live in this region.
That was my upbringing. I wanted to be an auto and diesel mechanic. In high school, I was in the vocational program, and then I went on to Mercer County Vocational School. That was my original plan, and I was decent at it. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I worked at a Ford dealership after high school, and then at Firestone. Somehow, I stumbled into college, but that wasn’t my original vision.
Collins:
John, you are also the president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce today. You came out of the diesel mechanic field. What motivated you to get involved in business as an entrepreneur?
Harmon Sr.:
That’s an interesting question. A friend of mine, Kevin Powe—my best buddy—was a year or two older than me. He and I used to go to Mercer County College regularly to play basketball and hustle on the pool table. We would go there, beat the same guys all the time, and take their money.
One day, three Black women at the college approached me—Martha Baker, Martha Gunning, and Vonzell Emmons. They called me by my name and asked me why I wasn’t in school. I told them, “I didn’t know if I could get into school.” I knew nothing about college—I was a first-generation college student. Those women literally ushered me into an office, helped me enroll, and changed my trajectory.
By that time, my mother had passed away—I was 17 when she died, before I graduated high school. I went on to complete Mercer County College and then graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson. From there, I got into banking and worked in New York for about ten years.
Now, to answer your question: There was a group of about 20 people who wanted to start something to help Black businesses. They originally considered a credit union but eventually settled on a chamber of commerce. I was the 21st person to join. We all pitched in some money, and in 1997, two years after the chamber was founded, the chief visionary and president moved on to start a charter school. That left an opening, and the remaining members thought I could step in.
At the time, I had no idea what they were talking about, but they believed I could do it. So, I became president by default.
Collins:
And could you break down what IOM stands for?
Harmon Sr.:
IOM stands for Institute of Organizational Management. It is a program sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It’s a four-year program that I attended at Villanova, and it certifies that I have the skills to run a nonprofit organization. That’s the designation. We have four staff members who have also completed the coursework, and a couple more are scheduled to go this spring.
But, you know, Chris, if you’re going to be in this game, you need to be the best in class. You need to do what others have done to successfully run these organizations. So, I wanted to ensure that our team was professionally prepared to run an organization and execute the mission effectively.
Collins:
It has been a couple of decades now that you’ve been running the African American Chamber of Commerce. For the public, could you explain what a chamber of commerce is and why it is important for business owners of color to be part of one?
Harmon Sr.:
That’s a great question. This June will mark my 28th year in this role.
The idea of a chamber of commerce for Black people originated with Booker T. Washington in 1900. His vision was to get Black people into the economy by starting businesses and generating support for their products and services. It was all about tapping into the capitalistic system of the United States—what we call free enterprise—where policy drives opportunity.
In 1912, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was founded—12 years after Booker T. Washington started the Negro Business League. His organization grew to over 300 chapters across the country, and many of the people from Tulsa’s Black Wall Street were affiliated with him.
Interestingly, President Taft started the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Booker T. Washington was one of his advisors.
So, for Black people in New Jersey—in cities like Camden and Trenton—they must position themselves where opportunities are happening. We use the term “where the deals are flowing.” A chamber of commerce is the epicenter of that. We convene meetings, connect people to resources, opportunities, and information, and advocate for policies that level the playing field.
We push for minimal but necessary regulations—ensuring safety without over-regulating industries to the point where getting permits and approvals becomes a long, drawn-out process.
At the end of the day, our goal is to ensure that Black people can participate in the economy in an equitable way.
Collins:
Now, here we are, 20-something years later, and you’ve just authored a book entitled Power Moves: The Life and Legacy of a Black Chamber Executive. Tell us about Power Moves and what the public can expect when they read it.
Harmon Sr.:
It starts off much like our conversation. It’s about a father committed to his family and an individual who finishes what he starts—even when things don’t go as planned.
You’ll read about me speaking truth to power, sometimes having confrontations with people who look like me. It’s about being Black 365 days a year—advocating for people who sometimes don’t even support you.
You’ll see me making tough decisions with significant consequences, accomplishing goals without regret. It’s about pressing forward, even when things are difficult.
As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Throughout the book, you’ll see my failures firsthand and how I dealt with them. Looking back at where I am today, I know it was only by the grace of God that I made it this far—because there were plenty of moments where I could have given up.
Collins:
Now, John, let’s talk about your power moves. You and I have both spent plenty of time at Drumthwacket. In your role with the African American Chamber, you work across both sides of the political aisle. Why is that so important?
Harmon Sr.:
It’s extremely important, Chris. Look at where we are today in New Jersey—this didn’t have to be our reality.
Black people vote 90% Democratic. In the last two gubernatorial elections, Black voters supported the current governor at 94–96%.
Yet, when I look at the data from the disparity study, it shows that over five years, Black businesses received only 13 state contracts. White women received 250 contracts worth $277 million, and white men received 2,500 contracts worth $10 billion. How is that possible when we have invested so much in the majority party in this state? It doesn’t make sense.
Now, leadership in Washington has changed, and the contrast is clear—some are doing exactly what they said they would. But in New Jersey, Black voters keep electing leaders who make promises, fail to deliver, and then come back asking for our votes again.
We need a paradigm shift. The next governor’s race is crucial. Candidates need to be clear about what they will do for Black people.
Right now, we are being marginalized at every turn. Our leadership is capitulating and remaining silent. If Black communities want change, we must adopt a new posture—one that demands accountability, economic opportunity, and political influence.
Collins:
So, John, with that said, and when we talk about disparities, life, and legacy of a Black chamber executive, is there a different struggle as a Black chamber executive as opposed to a typical chamber?
Harmon Sr.:
I would say absolutely. You know, when I started pushing the Metropolitan and African American Chamber forward—because, bear in mind, that’s where I started, and I was president there for ten years, from 1999 to 2009. About halfway through, around 2003 to 2005, we started working on a statewide organization because our growth was expanding beyond the 25-mile radius that we had initially circled around Trenton. And so, I started getting asked questions like, “Why do we need a Black chamber?” I got this question from a lot of people, mostly people who didn’t look like me.
At first, my answer was a bit sharper, as I was younger and less patient. I didn’t have the diplomacy I have now, but my answer evolved over time. The bottom line is, if you look at the state’s balance sheet, there are 1.2 million Black people in New Jersey, and we largely reside on the liability side: highest poverty, highest unemployment, low median income. Our net worth is $17,000, compared to $322,000 for whites. 93% of the 88,000 Black businesses are sole proprietorships, and only four out of ten Black people own homes.
We can’t ask society to divest from mainstream chambers to prop up a Black chamber. My strategy was, if we own all these challenges I’ve just described, can we partner with government? Can we partner with the corporate sector and the community to mitigate this underperformance? That’s what we’ve been focused on. We’ve forged alliances with the Republican Party during Christie’s administration, and with Murphy’s now, because Black people cannot address these disparities alone. We need support, and if we unite, we can do a better job and get in a better place. We built this country, from the Civil War to all the innovations that Black people have contributed to America. We’ve earned the right to have access to resources, opportunities, and information. That’s what we’ve been striving to achieve through this chamber.
Collins:
What are some of the power moves that people will find when they read your book?
Harmon Sr.:
In the book, you’ll see perseverance, speaking truth to power, and navigating difficult circumstances with government officials. One of the things we did with the chamber, initially, was partner with the county chamber. But when I took the reins, I ended that partnership because it didn’t make sense for me to be doing revenue sharing with another group while trying to grow my own organization.
That was a move that many thought would be detrimental to me. Some said I shouldn’t have done it and that I should have stayed in that strategic partnership. But I stuck to my decision, and people looked at me sideways for a long time.
Also, for several years, I didn’t get paid for this work. It was all volunteer-based. When I started asking to get paid, some members of the board didn’t renew their membership—Black people, as if they thought, “How dare you ask to be paid?” But we pressed on. We had a business plan that showed this would work; all it needed was someone to stay committed to bringing it to fruition.
So, the book shows a lot of sacrifice. If you believe in your purposeful goals, and those goals are not emotional but supported by metrics, you need to have the willingness to press through. You’ll also see themes of self-sacrifice and servant leadership. This work is not about me; it’s about my people, 100%.
Collins:
John, what does the African American Chamber look like today in terms of membership, and how can people apply or become part of the chamber?
Harmon Sr.:
When we started the chamber in 2007, Chris, we had $14,000. Our best year was 2023, where we closed out at $5.2 million, and we’re about 900 members strong. We’ve been able to grow this organization with a very diverse range of industries represented. We have corporations in gas and electric, oil, technology, pharmaceuticals, educational institutions, government agencies, and large construction companies. We also have a diverse group of retail businesses and mom-and-pop shops.
We’ve connected Black people to industries and organizations with resources, opportunities, and information to create an ecosystem where both sides cross-pollinate for mutual benefit.
In addition, we are the only accredited chamber in New Jersey. There are 154 chambers in the state, but we’re the only one accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington. I sit on the board of the U.S. Chamber today, and we are the only accredited Black chamber in the United States.
Lastly, I was selected as the most influential person of color in New Jersey for two years in a row. I come from humble beginnings and never expected, nor did I advocate for, the honors that have come my way. But it’s all been done to elevate the profile of Black people in New Jersey. The book can be purchased on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and more information about the chamber can be found at www.aaccnj.com.
Collins:
What’s next for John Harmon?
Harmon Sr.:
I founded a chamber in New York in 2022 called the New York State Black Business Alliance, and we want to build that out. We have an office at 633 Third Avenue in New York. So, we’re working on a regional strategy on both sides of the Hudson.
Also, now that I’ve finished this book, I think I want to write another one. I’ve got more to say, and I think the next one will be a little edgier. There’s more diplomacy in this book, but I did name names—there are people in here you’ll recognize who got in the way, and we had some real conversations.
Collins:
You’ve done some remarkable things coming from humble beginnings, as you said. What words of encouragement would you give to a young person who has the desire to step outside the box and pursue their destiny?
Harmon Sr.:
I would encourage them to do it wholeheartedly, especially if they’re young. You have the opportunity to make some mistakes, learn from them, and get back at it. These young people don’t realize that we’re waiting on them. We’re here to support them because they are part of us. When I see young people who have a desire to better themselves, I think about my three sons and my own journey.
I tell them: This world is yours for the taking. You have more opportunities today than we ever had. Don’t forfeit them—pursue your goals with all your heart. And when you hit a tough spot, raise your hand and reach out to the elders for help.
Collins:
John, the Anointed News Journal has over 180,000 readers weekly. In conclusion, what would you like to say to the readers of The Anointed News Journal?
Harmon Sr.:
I would say to them that they’re privileged to have access to this publication because it reflects their interests, desires, and the things they want to hear. They should embrace and support it. I’m honored to have the opportunity to share my story with them, and I hope they’ll let me know what they think. My story is their story. There’s a saying from my friend Kevin Powe: “A loser is a winner who quit, and a winner is a loser who kept going.”
Whatever I’ve achieved in life, they can do even more—they just have to stay committed to it.
My kids lost their mother during the pandemic four years ago, and I lost my older brother a month later. Everything I do, Chris, is to make my kids proud of their father and to give them something to strive for. I want them to believe it’s still possible. I’m here to make them proud, not to embarrass them. I hope this book will make them say, “You know what? We’re proud of our dad.”
Collins:
Thank you, John. To get in contact with you, people can go to AACCNJ.com or call (609) 571-1620. They can also order the book from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
John Harmon Sr.’s legacy as a transformative force in New Jersey’s Black business community is undeniable, built on perseverance, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to uplifting those historically underserved. His tireless work has not only elevated the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey but has also opened doors for future generations to thrive in business.
By Chris Collins
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