Why I’m Running
The City of Alexandria is a wonderful place to live, but it still has an equity issue that lingers in the shadows that needs to be addressed if we are to continue to shine as a city.
I know first-hand of individuals who work in the city but can’t afford to live here. As a community organizer, I know communities whose voices are underrepresented in the decision-making process of the city. As an entrepreneur, I know small business owners who aren’t extended the same courtesy as larger companies that choose to conduct business in our city. And as a father of four African-American daughters who attend Alexandria City Public Schools, I’ve witnessed the educational gap that exists for girls and students of color.
During my time in Alexandria, I have fought on the ground to empower groups and communities that have been systemically marginalized, striving to bring equity in areas where its existence was questionable.
Whether it was leading the restructuring and organization of the ARHA Residents Association to strengthen the voices of the residents so that their concerns would be addressed, or organizing with frontline essential workers for better working conditions and benefits, I have been committed to helping those that have been disregarded.
As a Minister, community organizer, local business owner, husband, and father of four African American girls, I understand the value and power of unity and equity. I know that Alexandria is stronger for all Alexandrians when every voice is considered and the marginalized have a seat at the table.
Now I’m running for City Council to continue my fight to ensure that equity is no longer a buzz-word in Alexandria, but a reality.
I welcome all people who are interested in building a more equitable Alexandria to join in this campaign and our fight for equity.
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Kevin’s Campaign
Interested in making Alexandria more equitable?
Want to be a part of history?
Nowadays, “Equity” seems to be a buzzword in political circles. But to Kevin Harris equity is more than a word; It’s an ideal worth fighting for. From housing, to schools, and businesses, he has a proven track record acting on creating a more equitable Alexandria by always putting people first.
Get to know Kevin and his values.
Community Organizer
Kevin firmly believes that all Alexandrians, regardless of race, religion, or economic status, should have a seat at the table where decisions are made. As a community organizer, he has spent countless hours working to ensure that the issues facing marginalized communities in Alexandria are addressed.
As President of the City Wide Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority Resident Association (ARA), Kevin led the reorganizing of the entire Resident Association, building Resident Councils at all 20 of the ARHA properties scattered throughout the city. He worked tirelessly to ensure tenants both had a say in redevelopment plans and a right to return once redevelopment was finished, while also ensuring that resident issues would be addressed in a timely manner.
Kevin has led many voter education and empowerment initiatives, such as a large Get Out the Vote effort amongst public housing residents in the city, doubling voter turnout in multiple precincts.
Due to this organizing, the Resident Association is recognized by many local institutions, has partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to ensure better policing in the community, and has had several members appointed to various boards and commissions throughout Alexandria. Currently, Kevin serves as the President of the ARHA City-Wide Resident Association, Commissioner on the ARHA Board, and Member of the Strategy Team of VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement).
As a Councilmember, Kevin would continue to be a voice for marginalized communities, and promises to always put people first.
Small Business Owner
After retiring from professional basketball, Kevin returned to Alexandria to coach high school basketball locally at T.C. Williams and Bishop Ireton High School. While coaching, he started Hoop Life, an Alexandria-based small business that offers basketball services such as skills training, camps, teams, after-school programs, tutoring, and mentorship. Hoop Life has proven to be rewarding work for Kevin, as it has afforded him the opportunity to instill values in the lives of the next generation of leaders, our youth. Kevin’s work with Hoop Life has led numerous clients to earn full college scholarships and professional basketball contracts. In addition, Hoop Life has allowed Kevin to create jobs for many Alexandrians. One of the highlights of the year for him is when he gets to employ some of the youth of Alexandria in the Summer Works program.
Kevin knows firsthand that small and mid-sized local businesses are the heart of Alexandria’s economy and culture. As a Councilmember, Kevin will work to ensure that local businesses are afforded the same opportunities as large corporations, and work to cut red tape in city contracting.
Minister
Kevin’s belief in empowering those whose voice’s society has systematically muffled comes from his faith in God. This faith is what fuels his work to enhance the quality of life for all.
Kevin is an ordained Minister at the Love of Christ Church in the Del Ray area of Alexandria, where he serves as a member of the finance team, as a Sunday School teacher, and as the Superintendent of Sunday School. In the past, he has served as the Youth President, an usher, a member of the multimedia ministry , and as a cleaning team member. The variety of areas that Kevin has served speaks to his willingness to roll up his sleeves and get to work wherever he recognizes a need that he is capable of addressing.
As a Councilmember, Kevin would bring that same “roll up your sleeves” attitude and his deep passion for helping all those in need, to address the issues of the City.
Family Man
Kevin loves and believes in his family, and his family loves and believes in him. They are a motivating factor for all the work he does.
Kevin and Shawna Harris met while students at Alabama State University and have now been married for 17 years. Their four beautiful daughters, Amor, Jewel, Gabriella, and Hannah-Rose attend Alexandria City Public Schools and can typically be found participating in a variety of extracurricular activities throughout Alexandria, such as basketball, cheerleading, band (clarinet) & gymnastics. Kevin is incredibly devoted to his family, and always seeks to support his wife’s and daughters’ gifts, dreams, and interests. This devotion was recognized by the White House during the Obama Administration, when Kevin was awarded as one of the Fathers of the Year.
As a Councilmember, Kevin will apply the same love that he has for his family to all residents of Alexandria, supporting their gifts, dreams, and interests.
Fighter for the
Working Class
Kevin has always been a strong proponent for treating all workers with respect and dignity.
Kevin was active in the fight for WMATA workers in Alexandria to have better working conditions and to not have their retirement cut. Even when authorities were called to prevent the WMATA workers from organizing, he still persisted with them in their cause which eventually led to the workers getting their demands met. Whether it’s supporting WMATA workers in their pursuit of better working conditions or Alexandria’s Fire Fighter’s right to collectively bargain, Kevin is always on the front lines standing in solidarity with workers . Often times, the working class go unappreciated and are marginalized. However, Kevin fights hard for the working class because he knows that the working class are the backbone of Alexandria and the entire country.
As a Councilmember, Kevin will continue standing in solidarity with all working class people in their pursuit for equity.
Youth Advocate
Kevin believes that all children, regardless of race or economic status, should be helped to pursue their dreams.
Kevin organized and led the “Working Families” School Board Candidate Forum to introduce and connect working families to the individuals that would be making decisions that would impact their children’s education. The forum led to the empowerment of many working families whose voices were underrepresented in the school system. In addition, the relationships that were established through this work created resources for many families that helped them navigate the difficult educational environment of COVID. In addition, Kevin supported the appointment of a fellow Resident Association member to the Northern Virginia Juvenile Justice board to ensure that there was an increase of minority representation to advocate for the proper treatment of incarcerated youth in the facility, as most juvenile facilities are disproportionately filled with children of color.
In his professional life, Kevin is constantly advocating for the youth that he serves in his basketball program by speaking with high school coaches, college coaches, and sports writers on their behalf so the youth are afforded the opportunity to realize their aspirations.
As a Councilmember, Kevin will continue to advocate for the youth of Alexandria to ensure that the needs of all children are made a priority.
