Carmen Gates and Vivian Harmon have been promoted to senior leaders at the African American Chamber of Commerce, the group announced this week.
Gates will serve as VP of community development and external affairs officer; Harmon will serve as executive director of the Training & Development Institute.
Chamber founder and CEO John Harmon said he was thrilled to make the announcement.
“I look forward to working with both Carmen and Vivian as part of our senior leadership team,” he said. “The work they do every day is essential to the mission of the organization, strengthening black businesses and our communities.
“We will continue to design strategies that will derive value for our members and those that invest in the mission of AACCNJ while contributing to the competitiveness of New Jersey.”
Gates has served as the director of training and community initiatives since 2021. She oversees the day-to-day operations of initiative programing, helping to ensure the services delivered are commensurate with the mission of the chamber.
In her new role, she will lead AACCNJ on-going community development initiatives including partnering with leading corporations in New Jersey to create sustainable programs on economic inequalities, health care disparities and inequalities and workforce diversity and inclusion.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve in this new role that aligns with my passion for community engagement and external relations,” she said. “This promotion is not just a personal achievement; it reflects the collective effort of our dedicated team. I look forward to leveraging our resources to foster community development and strengthen our external partnerships. I am excited to take on this new role and contribute to our mission in meaningful ways.”
Vivian Harmon, who joined AACCNJ in 2022 as the senior director for the training and development institute, has been an integral part of the development and expansion of TDI.
Under her leadership, hundreds of New Jersey residents have benefited from innovative workforce development programs that help individuals enter or re-enter the workforce, and businesses grow and thrive. A licensed social worker, Harmon’s work embodies the principles of TDI: empowering people, forging meaningful partnerships, and positively influencing policy to shape the state’s economic landscape.
She has dedicated more than two decades of her career to empowering youth, adults, and families through education, trauma-informed care and advocacy. With a diverse background that spans adolescent residential care, student services in both secondary and higher education, and intensive community counseling, she has been a champion for marginalized communities.
“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to further my commitment to serving the people of New Jersey,” she said. “This role allows me to continue uplifting individuals, families, and businesses, while forging meaningful partnerships and pushing for advances in equity and inclusion for those who have been systemically overlooked, overburdened, and forgotten. Together, we will work today to innovate the workforce of tomorrow, creating new pathways for those seeking opportunity and change.”
