Sheriff Marcus Harris on Black History Month [Dad Spotlight]

We’re glad to be ending the month by spotlighting Howard County’s first Black Sherriff and father of two, Marcus Harris. We’ve been celebrating Black History Month by placing a spotlight on local Black dads that are doing a great job of building their legacies through admirable parenting – creating Black history now.

Q: How has fatherhood impacted your life?

Fatherhood has changed my life tremendously. It feels like overnight, you go from living a life on the edge of your seat to overwhelmed by the responsibility and affection that you feel. I know that I had to adjust many aspects of my life to make sure that my family came first above all else. I never thought I would spend more time watching cartoons when my children were younger than Sportcenter. I have learned to appreciate all the little things in life and have realized that the choices that I make have a profound impact on how my children view their dad and for that I work really hard to make wise decisions and to be a good example. One of the most enjoyable aspects of fatherhood is being able to experience life again through the eyes of your children.

Q: How do you celebrate Black History Month?

I celebrate Black History Month in many different ways and I need to point out that I do each of these things not just during Black History Month but throughout the entire year. One of the main ways is to make sure that I support Black owned businesses in my area. I also do my best to read at least one book by a Black author or about a famous Black History maker during the month. It is extremely important to me to make sure that my children are aware of their Black heritage, so I make it a point to talk with them about it. I encourage my children to ask questions and am happy to encourage them to explore more about themselves.

Thank you to all of the families that participated. Thank you and continue being excellent role models for the community.