John Griffin Jr.

John’s intention is for the organization to be a ministry that assists people in need, as he employs approximately 1,100 full- and part-time security professionals, who provide armed and unarmed security services, cyber security, private investigations, and expert-level training. John creates professional opportunities for adults, particularly minorities, in underserved areas of Chicago. AGB’s fully accredited workforce has extensive experience handling complex, sensitive security and investigative projects.

An authority in security and risk mitigation, John Griffin Jr. has extensive experience in high-level security prevention and investigations with 20 years of local and national experience. John Griffin Jr. was trained by the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and United States Secret Service in computer forensics. John Griffin Jr. is a certified Forensic Expert Witness and continues to collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Investing in education is part of Griffin’s greater mission to rebuild the fabric of society in inner-city neighborhoods where industry, innovation, and opportunity have become scarce. The AGB Institute is a nonprofit 501(c)3 private school that offers training in a wide range of work-related areas, including security training, workplace safety, business skills and personal development in Chicago. The Institute is the brainchild of John, who has found success developing his own employees through continuous training and professional development opportunities.

The AGB Foundation was established by John Griffin, Jr. and his wife Dr. Denitra Griffin. The Always Giving Back Foundation focuses on mentoring and life skills for high school students and young adults. Both John and Denitra are passionate about service and giving back to their communities.

The couple founded the AGB Foundation College Scholarships and Summer Business Internship in 2012. They have served over 450 youth and awarded $65,000 in scholarships. John will continue to create hundreds of jobs for minorities and will continue to add jobs in a variety of fields while providing life skills for employees in the future.

John Griffin Jr. has received many awards acknowledging AGB’s accomplishments. including Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 2018. AGB was named “Crain’s Fast 50” in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022, one of the fastest growing businesses in Chicago as well as and one of Inc.5000’s Fastest Growing businesses in the United States in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. In 2015, John Griffin Jr. was awarded Small Businessperson of the Year in the Illinois Business District, and also the 2015 Inner City 100 Award for the Fastest Growing Companies in America’s Inner Cities. AGB was recognized as the Outstanding Business of the Year by the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce. John also received accolades for the 2014 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Growth Award.

John Griffin Jr. is also a 35-year, active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, XI Lambda Chapter (by way of Omicron Iota Chapter “Still OI”). He holds a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University and a B.S. in Commerce from DePaul University. He has been married to Denitra Griffin for 30 years and they have 4 four loving children: John III, Nia, Najia, and Jibril. John enjoys spending time with his family, working out, playing basketball, and reading books on comparative religion.