By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
With 3.12 million Black-owned businesses in the U.S. and over 800,000 minority-owned businesses across Europe, recent data shows Black entrepreneurship is not only rising—but becoming a powerful global force.
Black entrepreneurs like John E. Harmon Sr.and Stefanie Magness are making it big in business, achieving national and international success. Take a look below at how their journeys are redefining what Black excellence looks like in the world of business and how they are inspiring a new generation of leaders to dream bigger.
John E. Harmon Sr.
Harmon is founder, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), a non-profit that aims to economically empower and sustain African American communities via entrepreneurship and capitalistic opportunities. He is also a nationally respected voice for economic inclusion and Black entrepreneurship.
“AACCNJ serves as the vanguard for 1.2 million Black residents and 124,000 businesses, addressing economic and other disparities,” said Harmon. “We foster relationships within the public and private sectors, working strategically to mitigate underperformance and enhance New Jersey’s competitiveness.”
Harmon has spearheaded advocacy and economic empowerment initiatives for over 1.1 million African-American New Jersey residents and more than 70,000 Black-owned businesses since 2007. A seasoned entrepreneur, Harmon founded Harmon Transfer Corp., a transportation company that served the Northeast U.S. and Canada, in 1989.
Previously he has served as chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. He currently sits on several boards, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Investors Bank, Hackensack Meridian Health and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
“My journey taught me the importance of devising a plan aligned with ambitions, constructing environmental intelligence and assembling a competent team committed to executing with excellence,” said Harmon. “It’s always about the mission and its beneficiaries.”
Harmon’s work has made a powerful national impact, advancing Black business ownership and promoting supplier diversity across industries.
Stefanie Magness
Stefanie Magness is founder and lead strategist of Elevate Visibility Group, a public relations and digital strategy firm.
Magness said through her firm she has been able to help Black women in law, mental health, education and nonprofit leadership get the kind of recognition and respect that produces change.
(Photo courtesy of Stefanie Magness)
“This work is personal to me,” said Magness. “I know what it means to serve from the background, to help others shine and to do it without fanfare.”
Over time, that work has led to national recognition—both for her clients and for her agency.
“What I’m most proud of is helping Black women get seen—not just for what they do, but for who they are and the impact they make,” said Magness.
In this year alone, Magness has been recognized as a three-time Qwoted 100 public relations professional and a Clutch finalist for Best Digital Marketing Agency. Elevate Visibility Group was nominated in five categories for The Daily Record’s 2025 Reader Rankings, including Best PR Agency, Best Consulting Firm, Best Digital Marketing Firm, Best Full-Service Marketing Agency and Best Maryland-Based Business.
The Elevate Visibility Group has helped secure significant media features for their clients on CNN, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, HGTV, The Washington Post and more.
“I believe visibility is more than public relations,” said Magness. “It’s a form of power. When we are visible, we expand what’s possible. Not just for ourselves, but for the women watching quietly, looking for someone who looks like them to take up space without apology.”