Meet Yvette Harris | Publicist & Social Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yvette Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yvette, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
When I think of the legacy that I want to leave for my daughter and my company Harris Public Relations, I think of community and inclusion. The majority of the clients we service are in black and brown communities and are those whom the media tends to overlook or not deem worthy of coverage. The media is sometimes not aware of the people doing extraordinary things in black and brown communities, as they are with other communities. So at the end of my mission, as it relates to my company, I hope that I will have been able to share with others the extraordinary stories of those specific communities. I also hope that I will have inspired and encouraged media outlets to realize how important these stories are to a fair and balanced media landscape. My narrative in life is rooted in the community. I am passionate about shining a positive light on those in the black, brown, and marginalized communities.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Harris Public Relations is a purpose -drive, results-oriented boutique company with a very hands-on approach. One of the things that I am most proud of is our deep-seated relationships with local, national, and international media outlets, which allows us to concentrate on providing thoughtful storytelling and captivating campaigns for our clients. We are also proud of our culture of excellence and creativity that elevate our client’s brands. My journey provides me with so many teachable moments. I am immensely grateful for all of them. Trial and error was a big part of how I navigated my path when I first started my company and was open to learning and change. My mother taught me about not taking things personally early on in my life, and I use that in practice daily. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is not to take on projects or clients that I am not excited or passionate about. Time on this earth is short, and I want to be a part of things and people I believe make a difference in our communities or move the needle on something excellent and impactful. I want people to recognize that Harris Public Relations is about telling the stories of those who either don’t have access to the media or need extra help in telling the stories that sometimes get overlooked or are not deemed worthy by some media outlets. I hope that people will see how rooted we are in our communities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

My bestie Michelle has landed. We are starting with a little lunch at one of my favorite Caribbean restaurants called Clive’s Cafe. The island vibe reminds me of one of my favorite Caribbean islands-Jamaica. After that, I know that she will want to do some shopping. We then head over to some of the shops in Little Haiti, Wynwood, Overtown, and then to the MiMO district. After a day of shopping, we will wind up at Surfside for a lovely day at the beach. Then we go home to get ready for the nighttime activities. Around 6, we are going over to ISeefood Miami for an appetizer and some cool vibes. I am a vegan so that we will have a delicious meal at Planta South Beach. After dinner, we drive to Hollywood for some dancing to some reggae vibes at Ginger Bay Cafe. Knowing us, we will be staying until closing time and leaving when the DJ and Reggae band finally stop playing and pack up.

Since she is visiting for the week, we will spend each day shopping and relaxing at the beach daily. Both of us are beach goddesses; we will explore some of my favorite beaches: Crandon Beach, Oleta River State Park, and Virginia Key Beach. Catching up over some tropical cocktails while people-watching at some of my favorite outdoor cafes includes Monty’s in Coconut Grove and South Beach, Wynwood Walls, and Lil Greenhouse Grill is how we will spend some of our time as well. To take in the cultural gems that make Miami unique, we will head over to the Little Cultural Complex Marketplace for some souvenirs, then head over to check out some art powered by Hampton Art Lovers at the Ward Rooming House in Historic Overtown. We will head over to Little Havana for cafe con Leche for Michelle and check out a Dominos game. Hopefully, there will be some vibes going on at the Urban in Overtown. Miami provides so many cultural gems that I think I might have to see if Michelle can stay for one more week.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother has always been my biggest supporter. She instilled in me that I could do anything I set my mind to. She taught me about being prepared for all situations. She also showed me in her actions not to take things personally. I have always believed the gift of laughter was one of the best things she gave me. All of those golden nuggets have genuinely helped me on my journey when I have needed it the most. Although she is no longer with us physically, I tap into her energy and voice daily. The way she gave her time, energy, and love to others and our community is why I intentionally try to live my life and guide my business. The other person who inspires me is my daughter Nya. Being her mother is one thing that I draw so much love, support, and confidence from. She also provides me a new lens to look through daily with reminders to walk through life in love and gratitude.

Website: https://harrispublicrelations.com
Instagram: @harrispublicrelations
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvette-nicol-harris-a0a1476/
Twitter: @YvetteHarrisPR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarrisPublicRelations/