Jenifer Harris
She/Her/They
Connected to Lead
Jen Harris works to co-power youth, parents, and communities in Los Angeles County prioritizing leadership development, drug prevention, and social justice issues. She is a seasoned presenter and does so nationally using each opportunity to increase her impact.
During Jen’s career, she has served in many roles including Community Organizer, Lead Organizer, Union Representative, Prevention Coordinator, and Director of Special Populations. She has actively participated in community-wide advocacy and organizing efforts leading to the passage of Tobacco Retail Licensing in the California cities of Gardena, Lawndale, and Cerritos. She led educational and racial justice organizing efforts in Long Beach, CA and contributed to statewide efforts leading to the passage of the Local Control Funding Formula in California. Additionally, she coordinated advocacy efforts that led to the passage of Healthy School Zones and the Alcohol Nuisance Abatement Ordinance in the city of Long Beach. Jen has presented nationally at the National and North American Cannabis Summits, Statewide Substance Use Disorder Conference, and was slated to present at the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Dublin, Ireland in March 2020. She has consulted with the state of Illinois to help them develop environmental scans for the city of Chicago.
in 2019, Jen founded Connected to Lead. An organization whose mission is to create space for people of all ages to make meaningful connections while strengthening the leader within them. Connected to Lead has engaged leaders through their programs, youth and parent workshops, and community events. Connected to Lead is rooted in impact and is building a future where resilient leaders create sustainable change for themselves, their families, and their communities.
In 2021, Jen founded Giving God Glory. Giving God Glory is their daily posture. They encourage and inspire believers to deepen their relationship with the Trinity - God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. They walk with non-believers to introduce them to the Trinity, help them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, and support anyone returning home to the Lord.
Outside of the office, Jen enjoys going to church, volunteering, event planning, and bowling. She is the Treasurer and former Chair of the Gardena Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Task Force. Jen is an Ambassador with the Nonprofit Professionals of Color Collective and through Connected to Lead, serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Personal and Professional Development Fund.
Jen has said, "If I don't do anything else... I look to inspire, encourage, & motivate. I look to connect people to resources & make a difference, even if I only touch the life of one person.”