African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

What African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey does

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) is a private nonprofit chamber of commerce headquartered at 379 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey, serving Black-owned businesses, corporate members, and underserved communities across the state. Founded and led by John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, the chamber operates as a membership-based economic-equity organization with a tiered dues structure (Basic Level 1; Levels 2-5 at $2,500-$7,500; and President's Club at $10,000+), reporting over 100 corporate members including Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, JPMorgan Chase, Comcast, Audible, Atlantic Health System, and Campbell's. Its core service portfolio spans workforce training (Training & Development Institute, Mobile Academy, Customized Training as an Eligible Training Provider for the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development), entrepreneurship and reentry programs (Returning Citizens Entrepreneurship Training Program with the NJ Department of Corrections), community impact (First Book, with 540,000+ books distributed since 2014), and member services (Pro Bono Alliance with Gibbons P.C., AACCNJ 401K Program, Bonding Program SBBRAP, MBE/MWBE/SBE/DBE certification assistance).

The underlying technology is a membership management platform provided by Chamber Nation, which powers the member portal (mms.aaccnj.com), directory, business catalog, SEO documentation, member mobile web application, billing, and event registration. The chamber also owns three media assets: Pathway to Success on NJ PBS (Season 7 in 2026), The Chamber Perspective on RVN TV, and The Empowerment Hour on 1040 AM WCHR. Signature events include the Annual Golf Classic (scheduled July 20, 2026 at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club), the Business Leadership Conference, the Juneteenth Black Business Expo, and the State of Black New Jersey Summit.

The go-to-market is a hybrid sales-led, event-driven, and community-led motion: members are acquired through direct sales, event participation, member referrals, and digital self-service. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual membership dues, supplemented by event sponsorships, grants (including NJLEAD 2024), and contributions. Dual membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is bundled at every tier. The chamber is positioning for continued program expansion across health equity (HEEJI), manufacturing (NJMEP), and infrastructure-adjacent workforce training (AirTrain Newark, PSE&G SBCRTP).

Name

African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Legal name

African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Website

https://aaccnj.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is a Trenton-based nonprofit chamber of commerce serving Black-owned businesses, corporate members, and underserved communities across New Jersey through tiered membership, workforce training, MBE certification support, media platforms, and signature networking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Trenton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Tiered annual membership fees with escalating benefits at higher levels. Basic membership includes radio show, membership spotlight, networking events, website development, and access to certifications. Higher tiers add magazine spotlights, TV appearances, priority event scheduling, and President's Club access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is a membership-based chamber organization that sells tiered annual memberships to businesses across New Jersey, ranging from Basic membership through the President's Club ($10,000+). In addition to membership services such as networking, business referrals, certification assistance, and media exposure, the chamber delivers workforce training programs, entrepreneurship education for returning citizens, pro bono legal services, and broadcast media programming on TV and radio.

Product overview

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey operates as a membership-based chamber organization offering a portfolio of economic empowerment programs and media platforms. The core offerings include the Training & Development Institute (TDI) providing workforce training through NJ Department of Labor partnerships; the Mobile Academy delivering workshops on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career readiness at community venues; the Returning Citizens Entrepreneurship Training Program teaching business skills inside correctional facilities; and the First Book Program distributing books to underserved children (540,000+ books distributed). The chamber also provides member services including the Pro Bono Alliance (free legal services via Gibbons P.C.), bonding programs, and 401K assistance. Media programming includes the television shows 'Pathway to Success' (NJ PBS) and 'The Chamber Perspective' (RVN TV), plus radio show 'The Empowerment Hour' on WCHR 1040 AM. The organization hosts signature events including the Annual Golf Classic, Juneteenth Black Business Expo, and Business Leadership Conference. Members receive access to a digital portal with networking, event registration, and promotional tools. The chamber functions as an ecosystem of programs designed to advance Black-owned businesses and economic equity across New Jersey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Training & Development Institute (TDI) An Eligible Training Provider program for the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development providing enrichment and job readiness training for unemployed workers planning to enter or reenter the workforce, with academic partnerships with Rowan and Rutgers Universities.
• Mobile Academy A mobile training program delivering workshops on work-readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career development to underserved NJ workforce and business communities at churches, community centers, schools, and other venues.
• First Book Program A nonprofit social enterprise program distributing brand new quality books to low-income children throughout New Jersey through partnerships with community colleges, food banks, and faith-based organizations. Over 540,000 books distributed since 2014.
• Returning Citizens Entrepreneurship Training Program (NJREP) An educational program providing formerly incarcerated individuals with the building blocks to launch successful businesses, featuring eight in-person workshops on entrepreneurship topics taught inside NJ correctional facilities.
• Customized Training Employer-customized training solutions developed to address unique business requirements, covering topics from team building and leadership to OSHA certifications and sales and marketing.
• Pro Bono Alliance A partnership with Gibbons P.C. providing pro bono legal services to AACCNJ members with annual revenues of $500,000 or less, covering tax issues, bankruptcy, business formation, employment issues, and commercial landlord-tenant matters.
• AACCNJ 401K Program (MEAP) A retirement benefit program offering 401K plans to chamber members.
• Bonding Program (SBBRAP) A bonding program helping minority businesses obtain surety bonds for government contracts.
• Health Equity and Economic Justice Institute (HEEJI) An institute focused on addressing health equity and economic justice issues affecting the NJ community.
• Annual Golf Classic A premier annual golf event featuring networking opportunities with corporate leaders and entrepreneurs, scheduled for July 20, 2026 at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, NJ.
• Business Leadership Conference (BLC) An annual business leadership conference bringing together business professionals and thought leaders for networking and programming.
• Member Portal / Member's Area An online member portal providing access to event registration, billing information, newsletters, member-to-member deals, lead trading, job postings, and social network integration.
• Chamber Membership (Tiered Annual Membership) Tiered annual membership ranging from Basic Level 1 through President's Club Levels 6-9 ($10,000+), providing networking, business referrals, certification assistance, media exposure (radio, magazine, TV), website development, consulting, and access to corporate procurement opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 540,000+ books distributed to low-income children since 2014
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• U.S. Chamber of CommercecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDual membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is included as a benefit of AACCNJ membership. Chamber logo appears on U.S. Chamber website indicating affiliated chamber status.
• Gibbons P.C.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro Bono Alliance partnership providing pro bono legal services to AACCNJ members with annual revenues of $500,000 or less. Services include tax issues, bankruptcy, business formation, employment issues, and commercial landlord-tenant matters.
• First BookmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit social enterprise providing books to low-income children. Since March 2014, 540,000 books have been distributed in NJ through this partnership. Program operates through community colleges, food banks, and faith-based organizations.
• New Jersey Department of CorrectionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for NJ Reentry Entrepreneurial Program (NJREP) delivering entrepreneurship training inside NJ correctional facilities. Funded through NJLEAD Grant 2024.
• Rowan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with AACCNJ for customized training programs as an Eligible Training Provider for NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
• Rutgers UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with AACCNJ for customized training programs as an Eligible Training Provider for NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
• Chamber NationcoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite hosting and membership management platform provider. Chamber Nation provides the e-commerce platform enabling membership services, directory, and member websites.
• National Black Chamber of CommerceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLinked as a resource partner, indicating affiliation with the national organization.
• NJ PBSmajorBroadcast partner for Pathway to Success TV show, airing member interviews and chamber programming on public television.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The national chamber of commerce, which AACCNJ is directly affiliated with via dual membership. Comparable as a membership-based business advocacy organization, though vastly larger in scope and operating nationally.

Direct peers

• National Black Chamber of Commerce: National-level Black chamber of commerce. AACCNJ lists this as an affiliated resource. Directly comparable as a membership-based organization serving Black-owned businesses and advocating for supplier diversity.
• National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: National chamber serving Hispanic-owned businesses with similar membership tiers, corporate sponsor programs, and supplier-diversity advocacy. Directly comparable in mission and operating model.
• Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship: National minority-focused chamber with comparable membership, advocacy, and supplier-diversity programming aimed at AAPI-owned businesses. Similar structure and value proposition to AACCNJ.
• U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. National network of Black chambers and business organizations. Highly comparable in mission of advancing Black business equity through advocacy, capacity building, and corporate engagement.

Regional players

• Greater Trenton Chamber of Commerce: Local/regional chamber serving the Trenton, NJ business community. Comparable membership-based advocacy and networking model, though focused on a sub-region rather than statewide Black-business mission.
• Newark Regional Business Partnership: NJ-based regional business membership organization. Comparable in operating within the same NJ geography with membership, advocacy, and corporate engagement offerings.

Emerging players

• SCORE: National nonprofit providing mentorship, workshops, and training to small business owners. Overlaps with AACCNJ's training and entrepreneurship programming but focuses on mentorship rather than supplier diversity and advocacy.

Others

• Minority Business Development Agency: Federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce focused on MBE growth and access to capital and contracts. Comparable mission of advancing minority business equity and ecosystem partnerships.
• National Minority Supplier Development Council: Corporate-member organization advancing MBE inclusion in supply chains. Comparable focus on supplier diversity, certification (MBE), and corporate minority procurement — a thematic peer to AACCNJ's advocacy role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AACCNJ
• Facebookfacebook.com/AACCNJ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aaccnj

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey