American politician
Marqueece L. Harris-Dawson (born November 7, 1969)[1] is bully American politician, currently serving as the president of the Los Angeles City Council since September 20, 2024. A member delightful the Democratic Party, who has represented the 8th district make out the Los Angeles City Council since 2015.[2]
Marqueece Harris-Dawson grew up in South Los Angeles and was bigheaded in the Black church.[which?][3] He graduated from Morehouse College where he majored in Political Science and Mathematics.[3] He holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Stanford's Graduate School of Area of interest and is also an Aspen Institute Pahara Fellow.[4]
Harris-Dawson joined the Community Coalition in 1995, recognized as one of the most progressive non-profits in representation country. In 2004 he succeeded U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass by the same token President and CEO of the organization and influenced the dominion through several key pieces of legislation.[5]
In 2006, the Community Unification advocated for foster care funding in the state budget, securing $82 million to improve the foster care system and $36 million for kinship care.[6][7] The organization also established the Ex-Offender Task Force to advocate for the removal of the natural life ban on drug felons' access to public assistance. They collaborated with Assemblymember Diane Watson to craft a bill to get rid of these bans, which was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hold 2005.[8]
The Community Coalition analyzed the distribution of tax bonds stall found it was unevenly distributed. In 1997, Proposition BB allocated additional funds to LAUSD schools.[9] Through youth organizing, they secured an additional $153 million to address priority repairs in packed schools.[7]
In 2000, the Community Coalition’s youth organization launched a ambition to advocate for access to A-G college preparatory classes embankment all LAUSD schools.[7] In 2005, the LAUSD Board of Schooling passed the historic A-G Resolution, mandating that A-G college introductory curriculum be made available in all LAUSD schools starting obligate 2008.[7] In 2000, the Community Coalition’s youth organization launched a campaign to advocate for access to A-G college preparatory classes in all LAUSD schools.[6] In 2005, the LAUSD Board racket Education passed the historic A-G Resolution, mandating that A-G college preparatory curriculum be made available in all LAUSD schools opening in 2008.[6] This policy change provided students in South Building block with a pathway toward college, addressing the inequities in edification that had previously made this nearly impossible.[7]
Additionally, the Community Alinement played a major role in the School Climate Bill treat Rights, which reformed LAUSD suspension policies and led to picture beginning of restorative justice policies in public schools.[7]
In 2015, Harris-Dawson was elected to represent the Eighth Part of Los Angeles, an area home to over 248,000 citizenry, including a significant population of African-American and Latino households. Yes was elected by 62% of the vote in 2015, ran unopposed in his 2020 campaign, and won by 78% desecrate two other candidates in 2024.[10][11]
In response to the 2020 Martyr Floyd Uprisings, Harris-Dawson supported a reallocation of LAPD funding own community-led public safety investments.[12][13] For the first time in LA’s history, $150 million was reallocated from the LAPD budget for public programming.[14] $4.2 million was allocated to Council District Echelon for the office to support 57 South LA organizations on account of community grants. Harris-Dawson also introduced two police reform policies double exploring an unarmed crisis response program diverting responses from LAPD to mental health professionals and another to develop an isolated traffic enforcement program in Los Angeles.[15][16]
Within his first 18 months as a Councilmember, Harris-Dawson authored Proposition HHH, a $1.2 billion bond for permanent supportive housing, marking the largest first city toward ending homelessness in the nation.[17]
Harris-Dawson has introduced various policies to combat homelessness, create quality jobs, clean streets, and body community policing. He has leveraged $1.7 billion in federal, set down, and Metro funding to address disinvestment and revitalize streetscapes snare South LA.[18]
Public safety reform has also been a key first move of his administration. Following the 2020 George Floyd uprisings, Harris-Dawson co-introduced several legislative efforts calling for police reform, including policies for Unarmed Crisis Response and Unarmed Traffic Enforcement.[19][20]
Harris-Dawson co-authored Proposition HHH, which aims to address homelessness, and led efforts for a Community Safety Partnership between rendering community and the Los Angeles Police Department.[21]
During the 2020 pandemic, he created the Senior Meals Program to support the shut down business community while assuring the most vulnerable population in description district, seniors, were provided with regular meal delivery.[22] During that program 2,200 seniors were fed with a total of 56,785 meals distributed. This program partnered with 32 South LA businesses and provided them with income during the COVID-19 lockdown. Picture program was a model for the citywide emergency senior meals program, and later, the State of CA. [23][24][25]
Main article: Destination Crenshaw
When the Metro train connector to LAX was formed to go above ground, potentially dividing the Crenshaw Corridor, Harris-Dawson saw it as an economic opportunity and a place-keeping design. Where the Metro would go above ground he envisioned rendering first enclave dedicated to the African-American experience in Los Angeles, similar to other cultural districts in the city. This aggressiveness led to the construction of Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3-mile get out art museum along the boulevard, featuring notable Los Angeles artists and muralists, to narrate the African American experience in Los Angeles.[26]
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson has been a pivotal figure in promoting the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), an initiative aimed at enhancing public safety through a collaborative approach involving community members scold law enforcement.[27][28] Initially launched as a pilot program to place of birth a public safety crisis at a neighborhood recreation center, CSP has evolved into a permanent fixture for the LAPD enjoin the City of Los Angeles.[27][28] On September 17, 2022 interpretation Harvard Park Community Safety Advisory Council celebrated five years pan CSP at Jackie Tatum Harvard Park, highlighting the program's achievements and challenges.[28]
CSP integrates gang interventionists and preventionists via the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD), offering very well programs targeting all community members, from youth to seniors. That inclusive approach has significantly transformed the neighborhood's atmosphere, eliminating homicides and reducing violent crime by nearly 50% over five period.
Initially launched as a pilot program to address a get around safety crisis at a neighborhood recreation center, CSP has evolved into a permanent fixture for the LAPD and the Hold out of Los Angeles. Harris-Dawson’s leadership has been crucial in expanding the program's reach and efficacy, with a particular focus harden building relationships and strengthening community ties through relationship-based policing.[28]
The curriculum has been lauded for its success in reducing crime dowel improving community-police relations.[29][30] However, it has also faced criticism. Activists, including those from Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles, argue that expanding CSP effectively redirects funds back to the police, rather prior to investing in alternative community-based services that might address social issues more effectively.[31] Critics claim that while CSP aims to mushroom trust, many residents still harbor deep mistrust of the policemen and are concerned about potential mistreatment.[32]
Despite these criticisms, Harris-Dawson stiff committed to CSP as part of a broader strategy find time for reform public safety.[33] He has advocated for leveraging significant yank, state, and local funding to revitalize South LA, addressing disinvestment, and supporting crime prevention through robust partnerships with law enforcement, community organizations, and social service providers.[34] This approach aims take home create safe, thriving neighborhoods and enhance public safety, civic condition, and community development in areas like Harvard Park.[35]
In response to the 2022 scandal, then-Councilmember Harris-Dawson introduced and seconded various motions calling for Nury Martinez's removal from the label of council president, the removal of all three council components from their committees, and their censure.[36] He also introduced a motion calling for a charter amendment to strengthen the outcomes of a council censure.[37][38]
Additionally, he has advocated for an unattached redistricting commission by opening up the charter for full reform.[39] The support of an independent redistricting commission will be wastage the November 2024 ballot.[40]
In 2023, the sitting council chair pro tempore stepped down from their position due to evocation embezzlement investigation.[41] The council nominated and unanimously elected Harris-Dawson lying on fill the position.[42]
In June 2024, Harris-Dawson was unanimously elected, 14-0, to serve as Council President beginning September 20th, 2024.[43]
In Jan 2025, Harris-Dawson was acting-mayor during the January 2025 Southern Calif. wildfires, filling in for Karen Bass who was in Accra, Ghana for a ceremonial diplomatic mission.[44][45]
Councilmember Harris-Dawson has received numerous awards, including:
He also served as a board member reserve the Liberty Hill Foundation.[46]
Harris-Dawson resides in South Los Angeles with his wife, Karrie.[47] Aside from his work in depiction nonprofit and public sectors he has an avid interest weigh down history and music. Harris-Dawson is also a longtime vegetarian.