Shane Harris is a national civil rights leader, ordained minister, and visionary founder of a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing social justice and equality. He is also the Owner and Publisher of the San Diego Monitor Newspaper & Business Journal, continuing a proud legacy of Black press leadership in his hometown. In addition, Harris leads S Harris Communications, a public affairs and communications firm that partners with small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs nationwide to shape stories that drive change. In his day capacity he is also Director of Communications to Attorney John Gomez one of the nation’s leading Latino lawyers.
Born and raised in San Diego, California, Harris’s life is a testament to resilience and redemption. After losing both of his parents, he spent 13 years navigating the foster care system—an experience that exposed him to hardship but also forged in him a powerful sense of purpose. Where others saw limitations, Harris saw a calling. He has since transformed his pain into a platform, becoming one of the most dynamic voices in the fight for justice, equity, and opportunity.
Over the past decade, Harris’s leadership and advocacy have earned him recognition across local, state, and national stages. In 2016, Our City San Diego named him among the “20 Most Powerful People in San Diego.” That same year, he received the Spirit of Stonewall Award from San Diego Pride for his groundbreaking advocacy bridging the Black and LGBTQ communities. In 2017, The Root honored him among the 100 Most Influential African Americans in America, and in 2022, the San Diego Business Journal named him one of its 40 Under 40 Next Top Business Leaders.
From reforming foster care systems to advancing economic equity and criminal justice transformation, Harris continues to bring an equity-driven lens to every space he enters. Whether influencing policy, amplifying underrepresented voices, or reshaping public narratives, his mission remains constant: to build a more just and inclusive society.
Now, through his dual leadership in media and communications, Harris is reclaiming the power of storytelling. As Publisher of the San Diego Monitor, he is reviving a historic platform that uplifts cultural perspectives, empowers local businesses, and informs civic engagement across the region. His journey is more than a story of survival. It is a living example of transformation, leadership, and legacy in motion.
