John Harmon, the founder and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and one of the more dynamic public speakers in the state, will give the commencement address to graduate students at Georgian Court University on May 9 in Lakewood.
Rodrigo Colón Jr., a recognized speaker and career advocate for college students, an executive coach and author of “Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs,” will give the undergraduate address.
The event, marking the graduation of 494 members of the Class of 2024, will begin at 10 a.m. with a Baccalaureate Mass and continue throughout the day.
As CEO of the AACCNJ, Harmon advocates on behalf of New Jersey’s 1.2 million Black residents and the over 88,000 Black-owned businesses statewide to ensure policy on the municipal, county and federal level provides fairness, equity and access to a level playing field in the marketplace.
He hosts the organization’s Gold Telly Award-winning monthly television show, “Pathway to Success,” “The Chamber Perspective” and its weekly radio show, “The Empowerment Hour.”
Harmon serves on the boards of directors for many leading organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Hackensack Meridian Health, Jersey Central Power & Light and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
He also is founder, chairman and CEO of the New York State Black Business Alliance; a board member and former chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Economic Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; and a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 and the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.
A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Harmon will receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.
