Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson proudly represents the Eighth District of Los Angeles and chairs the city's Planning Land Use and Management committee. Councilmember Harris-Dawson has introduced policies that combat homelessness, create quality jobs, clean streets, and encourage community policing. Within his first 18 months as a Councilmember, he authored Proposition HHH, a $1.2 billion bond for permanent supportive housing, the largest investment towards ending homelessness in the nation. In addition, he has authorized more affordable housing in District Eight than anywhere in the city in his first two years in office.
The Eighth District is home to over 248,000 people. The Councilmember proudly represents a district home to a blended community of African-American and Latino/a households. Councilmember Harris-Dawson understands how decades of systematic disinvestment have harmed our communities and believes the people of South LA are its greatest resource. As a long-time community organizer in South LA, Councilmember Harris-Dawson is never afraid to discuss issues of race and equity and relies on his deep roots and relationships to build public trust and collaborative solutions.
Councilmember Harris-Dawson graduated from Morehouse College and joined Community Coalition in 1995. Beginning in 2004, Harris-Dawson succeeded US Congresswoman Karen Bass as President and CEO of Community Coalition - one of the most progressive non-profits in the country.
Councilmember Harris-Dawson is the recipient of various awards such as the coveted Do Something "BRICK" Award, The Wellness Foundation Sabbatical Award, the NAACP Man of Valor Award, Durfee Foundation's Stanton Fellowship, and Liberty Hill Foundation's Upton Sinclair Award. He also served as a board member for the Liberty Hill Foundation. He holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Stanford's Graduate School of Business and is an Aspen Institute Pahara Fellow.
Councilmember Harris-Dawson grew up in South Los Angeles and proudly resides there with his wife, Karrie. They strongly believe in the community's power to create a better tomorrow through organizing and working together.