Georgia Trend Columnist Recognized
The Atlanta Business League has honored Georgia Trend columnist Tharon Johnson with its Entrepreneur of the Year award. Johnson is founder and CEO of Paramount Consulting Group, a bipartisan, Atlanta-based government affairs and communications firm, serving clients in both political and corporate sectors.
He is also a nationally recognized political strategist who writes a monthly opinion column for Georgia Trend on subjects ranging from homelessness to immigration and prison reform. In 2023, he was honored with a Green Eyeshade award for his column “Making Housing Affordable Again.”
The Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes an outstanding minority business owner who is a proven leader in his or her industry, measured by both monetary success and commitment to serving the community.
Johnson says he was somewhat taken aback when he learned he won the award. “It was a total surprise and honor to be selected. I had no idea I was in the running,” he says. The Atlanta Business League helps create and develop Black-owned companies in Metro Atlanta, with the goal of empowering minorities, encouraging civic pride, reinvesting in the community and expanding the business community overall.
The League also helps minority business owners facing challenges keep their companies afloat.
Through Paramount Consulting, Johnson advises elected officials, most recently as a senior advisor to the Biden-Harris campaign in Georgia. He has also served on federal, state and local campaigns, including for former President Barack Obama, the late Congressman John Lewis, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Congressman John Barrow and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.
Johnson’s company has more than a decade of experience helping clients through fundraising efforts and securing campaign contracts, while also keeping clients engaged with the community.
The Atlanta Business League was established in 1933 as an affiliate of the National Business League, which was founded by renowned educator and civil rights leader Booker T. Washington at the turn of the century. The National Business League was a trailblazing organization, preceding the creation of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by 12 years.
