Cedric Harmon

Cedric Harmon was born in 1966 in Centreville, Illinois, the ninth of nine children. His early life was characterized by a rural upbringing, where his family raised hogs and chickens, and without modern amenities like indoor plumbing, relying on a pump and outhouse. The church played a significant role in his youth, with his formal introduction to a religious environment at age five and a stated calling to ministry at age eight. Initially baptized Baptist, he later transitioned with his mother to a Missionary Baptist church due to her Pentecostal background. He attended what was considered the white school district in his desegregated area, participating in programs for academically talented students, student government, and Model United Nations, eventually graduating from Cahokia High School. He pursued higher education at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, earning a Bachelor of Science in Media Management, and later attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Harmon came out as gay in 1994 at the age of 28.

Developing his career, Harmon spent 13 years at Americans United for Separation of Church and State as Associate Field Director for Religious Outreach. In this role, he recruited and trained clergy to provide legislative testimony on issues concerning religion and government. A significant turning point in his career occurred in 2008 when he volunteered as an organizer for clergy advocating for marriage equality in Washington, D.C. During this time, he also co-founded Many Voices: A Black Church Movement for Gay & Transgender Justice with Ann Thompson Cook, an organization dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ concerns with the Black church’s historical commitment to liberation and justice. He held various positions within Many Voices, including Minister of Welcoming Resources, co-director, and eventually Executive Director, a role he maintained for over a decade. In this capacity, he trained and coached community members and religious leaders on sexuality and spirituality, becoming a central voice for equality nationally and internationally.

Throughout his career, Harmon has been a prolific speaker, writer, and activist. He authored “And God Loves Each One: A Black Church Guide to Sexual Orientation” in 2015 with Ann Thompson Cook and contributed to “Building An Inclusive Church” in 2017. His writings have appeared in notable publications such as the Huffington Post and the Advocate. He has lectured at institutions like the University of Maryland and Fordham University, and presented at conferences including the LGBTQ Victory Institute’s OUT On the Hill conference and the Association of Black Foundation Executives’ annual conference. Harmon’s contributions were recognized in the National Park Service’s 2016 Centennial report, “LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History.” He was also named one of “12 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2017” by the Center for American Progress, received an Arcus Leadership Fellowship, and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C., the same year. In 2018, he was honored by the Metropolitan Community Church of New York at their Easter Awards Banquet and Celebration. He continues his work as a Partner and Coach at The Management Center, where he applies his extensive experience in nonprofit organizations to further equitable and just societal outcomes.