Black business leaders urge Black men to support Harris' economic proposals.

• Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining more support from black business owners and leaders in the presidential election.
• An increase from 51% in August to 59% of Black men under 50 now support Harris, according to a new poll.
• The campaign is also reaching out to Black voters and business owners.

When ordering a cheesesteak from Jim's West in Philadelphia, owner Cortez Johnson will also give you an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

Johnson recently told CNBC that he supports her for various reasons, including her commitment to the community and small businesses.

In a predominantly Black neighborhood in Pennsylvania, a battleground state, signs backing the Democratic presidential candidate, Harris, are displayed inside a restaurant.

In May, the vice president visited Jim's West and had a cheesesteak while discussing Black businesses. Since then, Johnson has been a vocal supporter.

"Johnson stated, "She's definitely rooted in land, particularly in Philadelphia." He added, "I'm examining a readiness to assist us in flourishing and expanding small enterprises.""

Since its unconventional start in July, the Harris campaign has targeted Black male voters, including Johnson, as a key demographic.

In recent years, the political allegiances of a specific group have changed. In 2020, only 12% of Black men voted for former President Donald Trump. This election cycle, Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has gained ground, although polls show significant variation in the extent of his support.

In September, Harris highlighted the importance of winning the trust of Black male voters while speaking with the National Association of Black Journalists.

"Harris stated that it is crucial not to assume that Black men are in anyone's pocket and that they should be treated like any other voting group. To earn their vote, one must work hard and not rely on their race. Harris emphasized the importance of earning the vote rather than assuming it would be given based on their race."

The Black Economic Alliance, a coalition of business leaders and advocates, organized a video call on Monday with more than 5,000 attendees, all working towards helping Harris earn votes in the final week of the election.

"According to BEA co-Chair Tony Coles, the reason for hosting this event is because Black men have the power to determine the outcome of the election. In every battleground state, there are significant numbers of Black men who can make a difference. Therefore, it is up to them to decide the election's outcome."

According to a poll by the BEA, Black male voters were the most concerned about hearing from Black business leaders regarding the election and economic matters.

The call supporting Harris included BEA co-Chair Charles Phillips, Recognize co-founder and managing partner; former American Express CEO Ken Chenault, former Merck CEO Ken Frazier, Essence Ventures chairman Richelieu Dennis, US Black Chambers CEO Ron Busby, and Gathering Spot CEO Ryan Wilson.

Busby emphasized the importance of having institutions that advocate for business owners, communities, and families during the call.

In October, the campaign website featured Harris' economic policy proposals for the Black community, which were emphasized by several speakers.

The government is considering several proposals, including providing 1 million forgivable loans of up to $20,000, launching a National Health Equity Initiative for Black men, and offering down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.

"Dennis stated on the call that now is the chance for her to take charge and manage these things on her own, and I predict we will witness remarkable results," Dennis said on the call.

In the past month, Black men under 50 have become more likely to vote for Harris, according to recent polling by the NAACP.

Phillips, a surrogate for the Harris campaign, stated that one of the positive actions she has taken is acknowledging that Black men's votes matter. No one has previously asked for their vote, and this lack of acknowledgment was a significant issue for the Democratic Party.

Janiyah Thomas, a Trump campaign spokesperson, stated that black men and business leaders are also a significant group of supporters for Trump.

"Trump's team is reaching out to Black male voters and the Black business community through direct engagement, hosting listening sessions and connecting with Black men as leaders in their families and communities to understand their needs and provide lasting solutions."

The BEA call speakers questioned Trump's commitment to Black voters and businesses.

According to the Rev. Michael Blake, founder of the Kairos Democracy Project, you can achieve approximately 90% of your desires by aligning with [Harris], or you can expect nothing by supporting [Trump].

Wilson, CEO of Gathering Spot, stated to CNBC that his main focus is on educating Black voters about Trump's economic policies, specifically the tariffs that he believes would negatively impact Black businesses.

"Wilson stated on CNBC that business leaders should engage because the former president's policy proposals are dangerous, as economists believe his policies would cause inflation and increase debt."