Gov. Phil Murphy’s relationship with the Black business community is complicated.
The governor has a strong relationship with John Harmon, the head of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, regularly discussing issues impacting the Black business community. And Murphy is a regular guest at chamber events, as he was Thursday, when he gave the keynote at the AACCNJ’s Juneteenth Black Business Expo.
Progress has been made.
But how much?
Dialogue is great, but it doesn’t translate into dollars or — more importantly —opportunities for dollars. The long-awaited disparity study certainly showed that.
Murphy himself told the crowd Thursday that more could have been done.
So, where do we go from here?
Harmon will be the first to say this isn’t about charity, it’s about opportunities.
And that opportunity now shifts to gubernatorial candidates Jack Ciattarelli (R) and Mikie Sherrill (D).
How much they engage with the Black community could play a factor in what figures to be a close race.
How they engage will be just as important.
The days of the Democratic candidate offering vague ideas and empty promises right before the election in exchange for 95% of the vote may be over.
Harmon has long told his members that the ballot box is where you get results. He reiterated that to BINJE Thursday afternoon.
“We’ve been there, done that,” he said. “The data clearly shows all of the disparities, and the data also shows that black people are over indexed with one particular party without a return.”
Harmon wants more.
“We have two candidates, and we have to be mindful,” he said “We have to make sure we don’t close our minds and just think one way.
“Both candidates have to truly articulate what’s the reciprocity for our vote. They have to tell us how we can grow the economy together and elevate more communities that have the wherewithal to participate.”
It’s about equal opportunity, Harmon said.
“This is not about a handout,” he said. “This is about a willingness of 1.2 million people to say, ‘We live here, we work here, but our coexistence is not equitable enough to stay here – or to keep voting the same way without seeing any impact.’”
Neither candidate attended the event Thursday.
It should be noted that Sherrill was in Washington, D.C., tending to her current job.
It also should be noted that Ciattarelli has been a regular at AACCNJ events the past four years. Those touch points certainly have been felt.
“The Republican side has been really engaged trying to find out how they can frame equitable inclusion, and we appreciate that,” Harmon said.
There’s still work to be done.
Harmon said the Black business community is tired of hearing about the roadblocks — there needed to be time to complete a study, there are concerns about lawsuits, and now, there’s a change of administration and attitude in Washington, D.C.
Harmon’s not buying it.
“What I don’t appreciate is the deflection so focused on the current president,” he said. “The current president was not the one who was slow to produce the disparity study.
“It’s insulting. We’re asking for solutions to a disparity study that’s been sitting for a year and a half. We can’t even agree on amendments that have been discussed for eight months.
“So, to talk about Washington all the time, as if that is the hold up, is disrespectful and disingenuous to black people. We know what’s going on there and we can’t get answers for what’s going on here.”
It remains to be seen if they get anything more than campaign rhetoric in the months ahead. It remains to be seen if more of the Black vote goes to the Republican party. Or, just as statistically important, sits this one out.
Harmon said his vote shouldn’t be assured. Many in the crowd suggested the same thing.
They want to hear from the candidates – and hear more than just empty promises.
Harmon said the Black vote is in play.
“As the president of this organization, we are truly committed to bipartisanship,” he said. “We want to engage both candidates, both parties. We need to agree on an agenda that’s equitable, that’s fair, that’s transparent and accessible to all.”
