Harrison had a 27 year career in the labor movement, including working for the Laborers International Union, Local 1290, appointment to Central States Joint Board, Central States Council and International Union of Dolls, Toys, Playthings, Novelties and Allied Products of the U.S. and Canada, AFL-CIO. He served on the Chicago Southside Branch of the NAACP and was appointed to the National Board of the NAACP.