When you grow up as the 13th child in a family of sixteen, life is never quiet. For Harlen, growing up in Albany with a large family of 16 kids meant constant activity, laughter, and love. “It was always busy, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he said. “Cookouts, holidays, birthdays were always like a festival.”
From an early age, Harlen learned to be strong and competitive. His father, a natural fighter, passed away when he was eight, and his mother encouraged him to stay strong and hold his own, reminding him that toughness and self-discipline would take him far. His uncle and older brothers were boxers, and his mother encouraged him to do the same. He found discipline in boxing and carried that same fighting spirit into every part of his life.
Like many young people searching for direction, Harlen faced challenges growing up without a father figure. As a teen, he had a few brushes with the law and eventually became involved in the streets. But even then, he had an entrepreneurial drive—washing cars, taking odd jobs, and always finding a way to make money. “I was a natural hustler,” he said.
After losing his mother in 2006, Harlen moved to Boston and spent more than a year trying to rebuild his life, but things didn’t go as he hoped, and he fell into depression. Determined to find a better path, he later moved to North Carolina and enrolled at ITT Tech, eventually transferring to the New York campus. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural design with a minor in civil engineering.
When he graduated, Harlen hit the ground running—applying to every architectural firm within a 30-mile radius. He was highly skilled, fluent in eight design programs, and eager to prove himself. But despite his qualifications, he wasn’t hired anywhere. He had suspicions that his rejection was linked to racial inequality or perhaps being more experienced than those hiring him, feeling that his talent and expertise were being overlooked for reasons beyond his control.
Still, Harlen refused to let those barriers stop him. If others wouldn’t hire him, he would create his own opportunity. That’s when he launched Harlen B. Painting Designs, his own residential and commercial painting company, determined never to return to street life.
A few years later, Harlen caught a DUI charge and served four months in jail. When he returned home, work was slow, and his probation officer recommended the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). He joined CEO Albany’s program, participating in transitional work, job coaching, and employment search support.
Through CEO, Harlen learned about Albany’s pre-apprenticeship program and saw it as a gateway to building a lasting trade career. He recognized that completing the program could open doors to union opportunities, especially within the painters' union—a field aligned with his skills and experience.
Harlen attended a union expo at the Empire State Plaza, where he connected directly with representatives from the painters' union. They were impressed by his professionalism and technical background. Although they were ready to hire him immediately, Harlen decided to first complete CEO’s pre-apprenticeship program, earning certifications in OSHA 10, CPR, and AED. “I don’t like unfinished goals,” he said.
The program wasn’t easy, but it was rewarding. “I loved learning about the trades—especially the electrician and ironworker parts,” he said. “I even tried the truck driver simulator. Every part of it prepared me for the next step.”
That next step came this summer, when Harlen was hired as a journeyman painter at SUNY Albany, where he paints dorms, auditoriums, and conference rooms. “It feels good to say I’m a high earner now,” he said proudly. Staff at CEO Albany also thought highly of Harlen’s progress and were impressed by his initiative to connect with the painters' union. His success even helped highlight the potential for adding a painter's pre-apprenticeship cohort to the program.
For Harlen, being part of a union means more than just a good paycheck—it means belonging. “It’s a real brotherhood,” he said. “They go hard for each other. We have cookouts, go boat riding—it’s a family.”
Today, Harlen owns a home in New York and a townhouse in Georgia. Once off probation, he plans to expand his painting business and eventually join the union in Alpharetta, Georgia. “I see myself putting up billboards one day,” he said with a smile.
Looking back, Harlen credits CEO with helping him rediscover his confidence and open new doors. “Thanks to CEO for the opportunity to join the union,” he said. “If you’re coming home and want to change your life—do it. Stay focused, stay determined, and give it your all. You never know how far you can go.”
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