Phyllis Harris
Phyllis Harris is the Greater Cleveland LGBT Community Center’s first black lesbian director in its 45-year history, but, she says, she tells people her identity is not why she works with the center. “I work there because I’m a nonprofit practitioner, and I happen to proudly identify as a lesbian,” she tells GO. “I believe in servant leadership. I believe in the power of charity work. I value being able to bring my intersectional, lived experience to the work that I do, and the LGBT Community Center’s mission allows for me to do it with a goal to thrive as a leader.” As the current director, she oversaw the Center’s transition to its new home in Gordon Square on Cleveland’s west side in June 2019 and has increased the Center’s budget and staff in the process. Harris — who has previous experience working with the Rape Crisis Center, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland, and Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio — understands the impact that nonprofit work and advocacy have on those who’ve been forgotten or marginalized. “Let us remember that our goal is not conformity to the status quo,” she says. “That leaves too many of us out of life, love, and liberty. We are part of a movement for the rights and respect of all Queers. Support of leadership development in our movement to advocate for better quality of life options for LGBTQ+ people is worthwhile. We dare not leave anyone behind.” —RK
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