Marqueece Harris-Dawson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marqueece Harris-Dawson
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Official portrait, 2024
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| President of the Los Angeles City Council | |
| Assumed office September 20, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Krekorian |
| President pro tempore of the Los Angeles City Council | |
| In office June 20, 2023 – September 20, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Curren Price |
| Succeeded by | Bob Blumenfield |
| Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 8th district |
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| Assumed office July 1, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Bernard Parks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 7, 1969 Los Angeles, California U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Morehouse College (BA) |
Marqueece L. Harris-Dawson (born November 7, 1969) is an American politician. He currently serves as the president of the Los Angeles City Council. He took on this role on September 20, 2024.
Mr. Harris-Dawson is a member of the Democratic Party. He has represented the 8th district of the Los Angeles City Council since 2015.
Early Life and Education
Marqueece Harris-Dawson grew up in South Los Angeles. He was raised in the Black church community. He went to Morehouse College and studied Political Science and Mathematics.
He also earned a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Stanford's Graduate School of Business. He is an Aspen Institute Pahara Fellow.
Marqueece Harris-Dawson's Career
Working with the Community Coalition
Harris-Dawson joined the Community Coalition in 1995. This group is known as a very forward-thinking non-profit organization. In 2004, he became its President and CEO. He helped the community by influencing several important laws.
In 2006, the Community Coalition helped get money for foster care. They secured $82 million to improve the foster care system. They also got $36 million for kinship care, which helps relatives caring for children.
The organization also worked to help people who had been in trouble with the law. They helped remove a rule that stopped some people from getting public assistance. This rule was changed in 2005.
The Community Coalition also looked at how school funds were shared. They found that money was not being given out fairly. In 1997, they helped get an extra $153 million for LAUSD schools. This money was used to fix crowded schools.
In 2000, the Community Coalition's youth group started a campaign. They wanted all LAUSD schools to offer A-G college preparation classes. In 2005, the LAUSD Board of Education made this a rule. This meant students in South LA had a better chance to go to college.
The Community Coalition also helped with the School Climate Bill of Rights. This changed how LAUSD handled student suspensions. It led to new ways of solving problems in public schools.
Serving on the Los Angeles City Council
In 2015, Harris-Dawson was elected to represent the Eighth District of Los Angeles. This area is home to over 248,000 people. Many African-American and Latino families live there.
He won his election in 2015 with 62% of the votes. In 2020, he ran again without anyone opposing him. In 2024, he won with 78% of the votes against two other candidates.
After the 2020 George Floyd Uprisings, Harris-Dawson supported changing how police funds were used. For the first time, $150 million was moved from the LAPD budget. This money went to community programs instead.
About $4.2 million of this money went to Council District Eight. This helped 57 organizations in South LA through community grants. Harris-Dawson also suggested new policies for police reform. One idea was to have mental health experts respond to some crises instead of police. Another was to have unarmed staff handle traffic stops.
Important Laws and Policies
Within his first 18 months as a Councilmember, Harris-Dawson helped create Proposition HHH. This plan set aside $1.2 billion to build homes for people experiencing homelessness. It was the largest investment of its kind in the country.
Harris-Dawson has introduced many policies to help with homelessness. He also works to create good jobs and keep streets clean. He encourages community policing, where police work closely with residents. He has brought in $1.7 billion in funding to improve South LA.
Public safety reform has been a main goal for him. After the 2020 George Floyd uprisings, he helped introduce efforts for police reform. These included ideas for unarmed crisis response and unarmed traffic enforcement.
Helping the Community
Harris-Dawson helped create Proposition HHH to address homelessness. He also led efforts for a Community Safety Partnership. This program helps the community and the Los Angeles Police Department work together.
During the 2020 pandemic, he started the Senior Meals Program. This program helped local businesses and provided meals to seniors. Over 2,200 seniors received more than 56,000 meals. This program partnered with 32 South LA businesses. It helped them earn money during the COVID-19 lockdown. This program became a model for other city and state programs.
Destination Crenshaw Project
When a new Metro train line was planned, it would go above ground through the Crenshaw area. Harris-Dawson saw this as a chance to help the economy and preserve the area's culture. He imagined a special place dedicated to the African-American experience in Los Angeles.
This idea led to the creation of Destination Crenshaw. It is a 1.3-mile outdoor art museum along the boulevard. It features art by famous Los Angeles artists and muralists. The art tells the story of the African American experience in Los Angeles.
Community Safety Partnership
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson has been key in promoting the Community Safety Partnership (CSP). This program aims to improve public safety. It does this by having community members and law enforcement work together.
CSP started as a small program to help with safety at a recreation center. It has now become a permanent program for the LAPD and the City of Los Angeles. On September 17, 2022, the Harvard Park Community Safety Advisory Council celebrated five years of CSP.
CSP includes people who help prevent gang activity. It offers programs for everyone in the community, from kids to seniors. This approach has greatly changed the neighborhood. It has helped reduce violent crime by almost 50% over five years.
Harris-Dawson's leadership has been important in growing the program. He focuses on building relationships and strengthening community ties. The program has been praised for reducing crime and improving trust between the community and police.
However, some people have criticized CSP. They argue that expanding CSP sends money back to the police. They believe funds should go to other community services instead. Critics say that even with CSP, many residents still do not fully trust the police.
Despite these concerns, Harris-Dawson supports CSP. He sees it as part of a bigger plan to improve public safety. He has worked to bring in funding to help South LA. This includes supporting crime prevention through partnerships with police and community groups. The goal is to create safe neighborhoods and improve community life.
Responding to Leaked Audio Tapes
In 2022, there was a scandal involving leaked audio tapes from the Los Angeles City Council. Harris-Dawson took action in response. He introduced motions to remove Nury Martinez from her position as council president. He also called for the removal of three council members from their committees.
He also suggested changing the city's rules. This would make the results of a council censure stronger. He has also supported having an independent group draw council district lines. This idea will be voted on in November 2024.
Leadership Roles
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In 2023, the council president pro tempore stepped down due to an investigation. The council chose Harris-Dawson to fill the position. He was elected by everyone on the council.
In June 2024, Harris-Dawson was chosen to be the Council President. All 14 council members voted for him. He started this role on September 20, 2024.
In January 2025, Harris-Dawson served as acting-mayor during the January 2025 Southern California wildfires. He filled in for Karen Bass, who was on a diplomatic trip.
Awards and Honors
Councilmember Harris-Dawson has received many awards, including:
- Do Something "BRICK" Award
- The Wellness Foundation Sabbatical Award
- NAACP Man of Valor Award
- Durfee Foundation's Stanton Fellowship
- Liberty Hill Foundation's Upton Sinclair Award
- InnerCity Struggle Esteban E. Torres Award
- The YMCA Community Champion Award
He also served on the board of the Liberty Hill Foundation.
Personal Life
Harris-Dawson lives in South Los Angeles with his wife, Karrie. Besides his work, he enjoys history and music. He is also a longtime vegetarian.
