I AM BLACK HISTORY | Gloria Harris

Gloria Harris

Gloria Harris is Black History because her life represents service, faith, and quiet courage that changed the course of a community.

While the I Am Black History series is dedicated to honoring living leaders, today we pause to give flowers to a woman whose legacy deserves to be named and remembered. We travel 72 miles southwest of Houston to El Campo, Texas, to honor Gloria Harris, elder cousin of Black Book’s COO, Jeremy Craft, and a trailblazer whose impact continues to ripple across generations.

In 1987, Gloria Harris made history as the first Black person elected to El Campo City Council. At a time when representation was rare and resistance was real, she stepped forward with resolve and humility. She went on to serve District 2 for an extraordinary 30 years, becoming a steady voice for the people and a trusted steward of her city. Gloria did not seek attention or accolades. She sought progress.

Before her long tenure on City Council, Gloria served the El Campo Independent School District for decades as a secretary. Her career spanned a critical chapter in Texas history, beginning on a segregated campus and continuing through integration. Through every transition, she remained grounded in service, dignity, and care for the people around her. She witnessed change and helped shape it, not through force, but through consistency and character.

Gloria Harris was more than a public official. She was a woman of God who lived her faith through action. She supported countless individuals, encouraged young people to dream bigger than their circumstances, and modeled what it truly means to be a servant leader. She showed that leadership is not defined by titles or power, but by how much you are willing to do for others.

Her legacy is etched into the city she loved. In December 2025, the El Campo City Council unanimously approved naming the pavilion at Willie Bell Park in her honor. The Gloria Harris Pavilion stands as a testament to her role in bringing the project to life and her lasting impact on public spaces that bring people together.

Her influence will also continue through education. Gloria’s children will soon establish a scholarship in her name through Black Book Empowerment, ensuring that her commitment to opportunity and service lives on through future generations. More details will be shared as that legacy unfolds.

Gloria Harris passed away just days ago, but her spirit remains present in every life she touched, every door she opened, and every standard she set. She broke barriers so others could walk forward with confidence. She taught by example that service is sacred and that community comes first.

Black History is not only written in headlines. It is written in decades of dedication.

It is written in faith lived out loud. Gloria Harris is Black History.