Interview with Kevin Harris
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Interviewees
Harris, Kevin
Accessibility Note
Content is digitally accessible 2026.
Interviewer
Edwards, Ana
Producer
Sunshine, Daniel
Description
In this interview, Dr. Harris speaks with Ana Edwards about his involvement with the East Marshall Street Well (EMSW) Project and with Project Gabriel. He reflects on his childhood experiences in Richmond, particularly noting the barriers he observed in his predominantly Black neighborhood. Dr. Harris also recalls the fear that adults in his community had about seeking medical treatment at MCV. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the history of the Well in shaping the institution's role and responsibilities, particularly when addressing healthcare inequities faced by Black individuals, and how he has made this a priority in his work at VCU.
Biographical Note
Ana Edwards is a public historian and community activist. Currently, she is a teaching professor in VCU's Department of African American Studies. Most of her work centers on preserving the history and public spaces associated with Gabriel and the African Burial Ground in Shockoe Bottom.
At the time of this interview, Dr. Kevin Harris was the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine. In this role, he led initiatives and advocates for policies that foster an inclusive environment at the School of Medicine, while also supporting the institution's broader goals. Dr. Harris holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems from Christopher Newport University and a master's degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. He earned his Ph.D. from VCU in Public Policy and Administration.
Note
This interview description and biographical information was written by Maryam Shaw.
Corporate Name Subject
Hampden-Sydney College. Medical Department--Corrupt practices; Virginia Commonwealth University--Corrupt practices; Virginia. Department of Historic Resources; Hampton University (Va.)
Topical Subject
Reparations for historical injustices; Human remains (Archaeology)--Repatriation; African American cemeteries--Desecration; Body snatching; History--Virginia--Richmond; Medical colleges--Corrupt practices; Universities and colleges--Corrupt practices; Racism in medicine; Racism against Black people; Public history; Community organization; Computer scientists; Minority college students--Recruiting; Medical education
Place of Interview
Virginia Commonwealth University, The Workshop
City/Location
Richmond (Va.)
Genre
oral histories (literary genre)
Local Genre
oral history; sound recording; text
Type
Sound; Text
Digital Format
audio/mp3
Language
eng
Rights Statement URL
Rights
This material is protected by copyright, and copyright is held by Kevin Harris. You are permitted to use this material in any way that is permitted by copyright. In addition, this material is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Acknowledgment of Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is required.
Collection
East Marshall Street Well Oral History Project
Contributors
Virginia Commonwealth University
Source
"Interview with Kevin Harris," East Marshall Street Well Oral History Project, M 573, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University.
File Name
emswoh_harriskevin_interview.mp3
Disciplines
African American Studies | Digital Humanities | History of Science, Technology, and Medicine | Oral History | Social History | United States History