Mayoral candidate Jasmine Harris discusses campaign values, the importance of advocacy
As director of advocacy and policy at RISE, Omaha mayoral candidate Jasmine Harris is passionate about promoting equity and inclusion in the community.
Inspired by her work to provide incarcerated citizens with a chance to succeed, Harris says she decided to run for mayor to help break down barriers for others.
“There’s that element of what’s going on in our city,” she says. “We need people in office who understand the problems that people are going through.”
Vision for Omaha
Harris says her campaign focuses on providing advancement opportunities for Omahans, whether through advocacy, higher pay, or safer and more affordable housing.
“My vision is that Omaha is going to be welcoming and inclusive for everybody,” Harris says. “Right now, a lot of people are just striving to get to the next day. We need to ensure that people are able to thrive.”
She also says she is passionate about bringing the community together.
“We all play a part and we’re connected in some kind of way,” Harris says. “We need to build each other up. I think that’s one of my main values.”
Lead with compassion
In her work, Harris says she strives to provide people with resources for success.
She says a true leader is someone who is actively involved in helping people achieve their needs.
“The definition of leadership for me is someone who is going to be in the trenches doing the work with people,” Harris says.
Never give up
After a trip to Senegal in October 2019, Harris says she was particularly impacted by her visit to the House of Slaves, which gave her another first-hand look at the injustices many have faced.
She says that experience further motivated her to champion equity for all people, a lesson she imparts to others.
“Stand up for what you believe in and don’t waver,” Harris says. “You have to stand up for something in order for change to happen.”
About Jasmine Harris
Jasmine L. Harris, is the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at RISE. She received her Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with an emphasis in Community Health Education. Her community involvement began with prevention and policy efforts working with the LiveWise and MOTAC coalitions to reduce the usage of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in greater Omaha. It didn’t take long before Jasmine realized that her skills and experience with policy and prevention efforts aligned with her passions for criminal and juvenile justice reform, social justice issues and women’s rights. As opportunities presented themselves, Jasmine became more involved in promoting change in the community. Her advocacy and civic engagement efforts include being a founding member of and chairing the Nebraska Unity Political Action Committee, Women’s Fund of Omaha Circles Class 6 and part of the 2018 & 2019 Circles Leadership Team, Secretary for the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table Board of Directors and establishing Black & Brown Legislative Day as the former Civic Engagement Committee Chair for the Urban League of Nebraska Young Professionals. In 2017, Jasmine was awarded the Omaha NAACP Freedom Fighter Award and was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Omahans (TOYO) by the Omaha Jaycees. In 2020, she received a Greater Chamber of Omaha Young Professionals Change Maker Awards. Jasmine is currently a candidate to become the next Mayor of Omaha.
