Harlem Perfumer James Koroma on Heritage, Storytelling
August is Black Business Month, a time to celebrate and spotlight entrepreneurs shaping culture through innovation and artistry. This year, we sat down with James Koroma, the perfumer and CEO behind Koromas Aromas, to talk about heritage, storytelling, and the craft of scent.
A Legacy in Fragrance
For the Harlem-born perfumer, fragrance is more than a business — it’s family legacy. His grandfather, Aloysius Koroma, introduced him to the world of scents, sparking an early curiosity that would later grow into a full-fledged brand.
That inspiration is even woven into the company’s name.
“Fragrance has always been part of my life,” Koroma says. “Every scent tells a story. One born from heritage, elevated through artistry, and rooted in Harlem culture.”
The Collection
Koromas Aromas has five signature fragrances: Vanilla Bourbon, Catalyst, Evade Vanille, Montmorensy, and Trance. Each scent is crafted as an extrait de parfum: a highly concentrated formula with 30–50% oil, compared to just 10–15% in traditional eau de parfum.
The higher concentration gives the fragrances richness, depth, and allows it to linger longer. “When you put it on your skin, you can see the oil sheen,” Koroma explains. “It’s all about quality and balance.”
The brand’s best-seller, Vanilla Bourbon, is a warm, sensual fragrance built around vanilla and Tunisian patchouli. Described as a “special occasion” scent, the notes are described as a natural aphrodisiac, which make it popular for date night.
For everyday wear, Catalyst offers a lighter blend of amber, honey, musk, rose, and lavender. Meanwhile, Evade Vanille leans bold and mature with cinnamon, leather, vanilla, and tonka bean — the kind of fragrance
Koroma says is “for grown folks.”
Sweet fragrance-lovers gravitate toward Montmorensy, a cherry-forward fragrance that balances tartness with vanilla. Finally, Trance layers citrus, amber, lavender, and patchouli for a fresh yet nostalgic profile.
I asked James what jump-started his passion and he says experimenting with fragrance in his college dorm is the reason. Friends were quickly drawn to his creations, with one even becoming his first customer. Word spread, and before long, he became known on campus as “the guy with the scents.”
Today, that passion has grown into Koromas Aromas, a brand that values individuality, heritage, and storytelling through olfactory experiences. “Fragrance is a story in a bottle,” he says. “It’s about understanding the power of memory, culture, and individuality through scent.”
🛍️ Shop the Koromas Aromoas collection now.
