City of Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on Oct 14.
She’s a familiar face in a new role. Shannon L. Harris, a longtime associate at Our Community’s Children (OCC), is now heading that shared office between the City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Public Schools. Earlier this week, Grand Rapids City Manager Washington and Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Roby announced her promotion to executive director of Our Community’s Children.
Harris had served as interim executive director since the December retirement of OCC past executive director Lynn Heemstra. OCC is a public-public partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools and many community partners that prepares youth for college, work and life.
“Over the past 18 years with Our Community's Children, I have had the fortunate opportunity to engage in the evolution of this office in a way that has enabled me to demonstrate my ability to manage youth programs, work alongside community partners for a common goal and most importantly, positively impact the lives of diverse groups of young people,” Harris said. “I have enjoyed working with our community’s young people and OCC supporting partners. I'm looking forward to continuing the great work we, as a team, have done on behalf of the young people in this community.”
As executive director, Harris works to ensure youth who live in Grand Rapids have jobs, quality afterschool programs, access to college and a successful path to a degree and leadership opportunities. She supervises, directs, organizes and plans work of professional and support teams, contractors, and volunteer committee members. She formulates budgets, manages grants and funding opportunities, oversees the hiring process and manages all OCC's programs and activities. She will continue leading some the important work carried out by Our Community’s Children through the annual KidSpeak event, the To College-Through College initiative, GRow1000 Youth Employment program, and efforts to better connect children to nature and Grand Rapids’ new Gear Library housed in Roosevelt Park. Using her experience as an accomplished dancer and choreographer, Harris also plans to launch a city-wide arts initiative for youth that leverages and lifts up existing arts programs in the community.
“Ms. Harris has spent considerable time in this line of work and has a heart and passion for the youth and children we serve,” Mark Washington, city manager, said. “She is a longtime resident of our city and is deeply invested in improving equitable outcomes for Grand Rapids youth to be creative, confident and thrive in all facets of life.”
“As an alumna of Ottawa Hills High School and longstanding professional who has dedicated her career to the service of the children, youth, and families of Grand Rapids, Ms. Harris is the right leader at the right time to take the office of Our Community’s Children to the next level,” Dr. Leadriane Roby, Grand Rapids Public Schools superintendent of schools, said.
Harris has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and an Associate of Arts degree from Grand Rapids Community College. She serves on the Michigan Afterschool Partnership’s leadership team and is a member of the National League of Cities’ Mayor’s Education Policy Advisors Network. Harris is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Grand Rapids
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