Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Harmon meets with NJ gubernatorial candidates on Black business issues
- Advocates for addressing auto insurance disparities, project labor thresholds
- Stresses perception, opportunity & access to capital as key barriers
- Encourages strategic engagement to enhance Black entrepreneurs’ value proposition
This is the second part of NJBIZ’s recent conversation with John Harmon Sr., the founder, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey – and author of a new memoir, “Power Moves – The Life and Legacy of a Black Chamber Executive.” Find Part 1 here.
Continuing the conversation with AACCNJ founder, President and CEO John Harmon Sr., the discussion turned to the New Jersey gubernatorial race.
“You mentioned the looming governor’s race – Gov. Phil Murphy has just a few months left. The race between Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill is ratcheting up. How has the dialogue been with the candidates? What are you looking to hear from them. And any hopes of optimism from either or both of the candidates so far?” NJBIZ asked.
Harmon told NJBIZ, “We have met with both candidates. I’ve met with them personally – at least a couple of times in a meeting about the state of Black New Jersey. And have had additional conversations since. Have shared with them best practices. Everything we’ve shared with the legislators – we’ve given it to them and some, so they can hit the ground running.”
Candidate concerns
“Jack has made overtures that he’s going to address the disparity study on day one. He’s also made overtures that he’s going to address the auto insurance situation, based on credit score, education, occupation. We think that should be abolished. He’s also said that he would look to move the project labor agreement threshold higher – and that has not been addressed for 20-some-odd years, since Gov. McGreevey’s first executive order.”
Harmon described those developments as encouraging.
“Now, this comes from a Republican. Now, let’s talk about Mikie Sherrill, who’s been given the same information. 90% of the Black vote goes to the Democratic party – 94%–96% went to our current governor,” said Harmon. “So, I would have thought by now that she would be a lot more specific – and that her overtures would be far greater than what Jack Ciattarelli has done.
“And, to date, that hasn’t happened – and that’s concerning.”
A different perspective
“You and I have spoken about these issues, but just so our readers have a full understanding and context: What are the biggest challenges that a Black business owner or would-be entrepreneur face? What are some of the obstacles, the obstructions that they face on their journey?” NJBIZ asked.
“Matt, I think it’s largely perception. Perceptions that Blacks don’t have the wherewithal to provide value,” Harmon explained. “So, if you’re looking at it from a value-proposition and you’re in a business enterprise – large or small – you’re looking to have relationships with people that could improve innovation, impact efficiency, profit margins.
“The Chamber has invoked itself to help mitigate those perceptions. And so, once you get beyond the perceptions and let folks compete – and win or lose. Those perceptions start to dissipate. But if you don’t open up yourselves – if you got a great plumber, electrician, high-tech person – they’re only great in your mind, unless you compare them to somebody.”
And Harmon stressed that’s what happening today.
“People are not getting an opportunity to compete. Now, I would say someone would answer the question to say – the greatest impediment is access to capital. And my response is – that’s an issue. But I don’t think that’s the biggest issue. If you get an opportunity; if you get a contract – you get the money. It’s just a matter of what you’re going to pay for. If you’re looking to scale and grow large, you may need equity. You may need different types of financing – but on its face, capital access is available.”
He continued, “I think people being honest with themselves about perceptions and being objective. A lot of these relationships are subjective. A lot of them are. But if they look at the history of the United States, there’s not too many areas that Black people have not contributed.”
Harmon spoke about contributions in areas such as developing the light bulb, commercial heating/air, GPS and much more.
“We want to be a strategic partner to drive the competitiveness of New Jersey – and that’s what we’re about,” Harmon emphasized.
Federal focus
From there, the conversation shifted to the national level.
“There’s a whole slew of changes at the federal level – tariffs, funding cuts, immigration policy. I’m always curious to hear on the ground what these reforms and changes have meant positively or negatively. So, what are you seeing within your membership about the effects of these policies and any effects they’ve had on businesses?” NJBIZ asked.
“Well, I would say to you – the adverse impact coming from the federal government is real. And there’s still a lot of things that we got to get a better understanding of, because in this political environment, there’s spin taking place as well,” said Harmon. “The data tells me – and I’m trying to tell Black people, let’s get to the facts. And let’s turn the volume down on emotion.
[T]he adverse impact coming from the federal government is real.
“If we look at the data points, Black people have already been DOGE-ed. And talking about DOGE coming to New Jersey. If you look at it from the economic data point, DOGE is already here,” Harmon continued. “So, what I’m saying is that we don’t have enough people in Washington that look like me – that say they represent Black people in the room trying to frame a narrative that extenuates the value proposition of Black people.
“And that’s where we’re losing.”
Talking points
Harmon again stressed that Black leaders need to focus on the value proposition they offer to this country to get a better engagement with this administration.
Further gubernatorial analysis
NJBIZ also recently sat down with one of the state’s top political experts, Seton Hall associate professor Matthew Hale, to get his take on this critical race. Read what he has to say here.
“I’m not naïve,” said Harmon. “If they’re in the room with this president or someone close to this president – and can really articulate where we add value; where they can make money – they’re listening, right? And so, this election, as we bring it back home, I’ve been in rooms with Democrats. I’ve been in rooms with Republicans. And I’m telling you; those conversations are starkly different. I’m still seeing Black people just giving an endorsement – they don’t even know what the agenda is.”
“And I’m sitting there like – are you serious? What I just heard warrants a thousand questions. Or one, like, who are you talking to? What are you going to do?” Harmon recounted. “And they finish their speech, got an applause. Folks want to get selfies – and I’m like, did the conversation start?
“So, Matt, that’s where I’m at.”
Harmon stressed that’s where the realities are. “And so, I’m pushing to get clarity on – what do the two candidates offer up? Some folks are saying, I don’t hear anything from Jack because he knows the other guy [Trump] – and I want to hear all Mikie Sherrill has to say.”
Harmon said he wants to hear from both candidates.
“But what I hear from them, respectfully, has to address the inequities – our underperformance and the lack of appreciation for what we offer,” said Harmon. “We’ve helped all these people get elected. But where’s the reciprocity?”
Please stay tuned for the third and final segment in this continuing conversation series with John Harmon Sr.
