Jermaine Harris Is Driving the Conversation Forward

When Joe’s College Road Trip hit #1 on Netflix, audiences showed up for the laughs. But what they stayed for was something deeper. At the center of the comedy is Jermaine Harris, reprising his role as BJ opposite Tyler Perry’s Joe but this time, the character isn’t just comic relief. He’s the emotional anchor of a story that uses humor to explore Black history, generational tension, privilege, and perspective.

The film premiered on February 13 on Netflix, and marked a major evolution for BJ and for Harris himself.

Words/ Editor In Chief: Angel Neal

Photographer: Mekhi Turner

We were first introduced to BJ in Madea’s Destination Wedding, but in Joe’s College Road Trip, we finally understand him. “Compared to the first time we worked together, this time we truly get to see the makings of BJ,” Harris explains. “Why he is the way he is. How he was raised. The difference between his household and what Joe experienced in life.” Under the direction of Tyler Perry, Harris was given space to explore.

“He trusts my instincts,” Harris says. “If I want to try something, he lets me explore. That freedom makes the work fun.”

Fun, yes — but layered.

BJ begins the film as a book-smart, sheltered young man who has seen “more books than grass.” He knows history academically, but hasn’t lived its weight. As the road trip unfolds, he’s confronted with real places, real stories, and real sacrifices moments that challenge his understanding of culture, privilege, and identity. And that journey didn’t just impact the character. It impacted Harris, too.

At a time when Black history is being minimized or removed from some school curricula, Joe’s College Road Trip uses comedy as an entry point into harder conversations.

“Comedy is easier to digest,” Harris says. “You’re more likely to go back to it because it made you feel good. But while you’re laughing, you’re also learning something.”

For Harris, that balance between humor and truth is essential. “There’s truth underneath the joke. There’s truth in the situation. And as Black people, sometimes our best way to get through hard times is to laugh about it.” That tension, laughter giving way to reflection is where the film finds its power.

“There are moments where you’re laughing, but then you sit with it after,” he adds. “Okay… how do we move forward from this?”

The dynamic between Joe and BJ becomes a metaphor for generational dialogue within the Black community. You have Joe; raw, unfiltered, familiar. And you have BJ; sensitive, educated, questioning.

“This is probably the first time we see someone truly combat Joe,” Harris says. “It opens up the conversation of, ‘Why do you think that?’”

The brilliance of Perry’s writing, Harris notes, is that these characters feel real.

“Joe is somebody’s grandpa somewhere. BJ is somebody’s son, nephew, cousin or friend who truly thinks this way.”

Through humor, the film bridges the gap between lived experience and inherited knowledge between elders and the next generation. If BJ could speak directly to audiences today?

“We need to love each other more. Listen to each other more,” Harris says. “And get rid of toxic masculinity.” Harris doesn’t take lightly the cultural responsibility that comes with mainstream storytelling.

“Our responsibility starts with telling the stories,” he says. “Not holding back certain realities. Recognizing what’s happened not ignoring it.”

Film, he reminds us, is forever.

“We can film something, and you’ll always be able to find it somewhere.” That permanence matters. Especially when history feels fragile. Harris’ career reflects that intentionality. His credits span comedy, drama, sci-fi, and family storytelling from Ballers to The Map of Tiny Perfect Things to Disney+’s Saturdays.

“I have to fall in love with the story first,” he says of choosing roles. “Then I ask how can I be an asset? How can I make people feel better when they watch this?” Each character, he explains, offers perspective.

“It’s like walking through someone else’s life for a period of time.” He sees himself as part of a new generation reshaping how Black stories are told in mainstream entertainment grounded, authentic, expansive.

When asked what belief he’s had to unlearn as an artist, he doesn’t hesitate:

“Every ‘no’ isn’t a bad thing. That no just put me closer to my next yes.” Harris speaks about faith with ease and conviction.

“Prayer is foundational. It grounds you. It keeps you aligned.” Success, to him, isn’t fleeting visibility. “My thoughts on success? Longevity. And the number of hearts you’re able to touch.”

Five or ten years from now, he hopes audiences simply feel something when they see his name attached to a project. “I want people to feel the way I feel when I watch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Martin,” he says. “That feeling.” He laughs when asked about a line from Joe’s College Road Trip that stayed with him. “Eat this chicken. Eat this chicken, boy.”

And while he won’t spoil more, he promises audiences will be quoting plenty.

Jermaine’s Thoughts On…

Success: “Longevity. And how many hearts you touch.”

Using My Influence: “For God’s grace and showing that anything is possible.”

Something We All Know But Bears Repeating: “Delay is not denial. Keep going.”

Listening to My Intuition: “Listen to that gut the first time.”

Prayer: “Foundational.”

A Film That Made Me Feel Seen: They Cloned Tyrone

A Book That Shifted My View of History: An autobiography on JFK and a civil rights book he received in fifth grade, early reminders that history isn’t distant. It’s lived.

A Story I’m Manifesting Next: Something in the spirit of Bad Boys or The Golden Child.

Jermaine Harris isn’t just starring in a No. 1 film.

He’s part of a larger cultural shift one where laughter opens the door, history walks in, and healing begins. And if this road trip is any indication, he’s only just getting started.

Follow him on his journey here at @jermxine .