Andrea Harris Equity Task Force
History of the Task Force
Reestablished under Executive Order No. 268, the Andrea Harris Equity Task Force was reconstituted to further the economic development of disadvantaged communities, improve health and wellness outcomes in underserved communities and advance equitable and inclusive practices within state agencies. The Task Force held its final meeting on Aug. 21, 2024.
First established under Executive Order No. 143, the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force addressed the social, environmental, economic, and health disparities in communities of color disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 before sunsetting June 4, 2022.
About the Task Force
Task Force members were appointed by the Governor. They included the:
- Secretary, Department of Administration
- Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Department of Commerce or designee
- Director, Department of Information Technology Office of Digital Equity & Literacy or designee
- Chief Health Equity Officer, Department of Health & Human Services or designee
- Executive Director, Pandemic Recovery Office or designee
- Director, DOT Office of Civil Rights or designee
- Director, DOT Office of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Outreach or designee
- Member of Hometown Strong
- Member, Commission on Indian Affairs
- Member, Governor's Advisory Council on Hispanic-Latino Affairs
- Member, Council for Women Advisory Board
- Member, Historically Underutilized Business Advisory Council
- Member, Commission on Inclusion
- Representative from the North Carolina Community College System or UNC System Office
- Representative from a North Carolina HBCU or Minority Serving Institution
- Representatives from four community organizations aligned with the AHTF mission
- Other appropriate experts from the focus areas listed above
About Andrea Harris
A native North Carolinian, the late Andrea Harris was a trailblazer for minority businesses and communities. A graduate of Bennett College, Harris became one of the youngest community agency directors in the nation, helping fight poverty across three rural North Carolina communities.
Unwavering in passion to help others, she co-founded the Durham-based NC Institute of Minority Economic Development in 1986 to support minority and women-owned businesses, serving as president in 1990. After retiring from the Institute, Harris continued to serve on several boards including a 2017 appointment to the state's Advisory Council for Historically Underutilized Businesses.
She was a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine — the highest award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor — as well as an honorary doctorate from her alma mater.
