Niel B. Harris, with the given name Othniel, is a native New Yorker with Caribbean roots. He has lived out Christ-like values since childhood and leaves a trail of scholarship, volunteerism, and community activism to his credit. Throughout his matriculation culminating in his graduation from Colgate University and 38-year IT career, Niel has given his soul to family and community: 3 children (post-graduate degrees and successful entrepreneurs) and 5 grandchildren, serving/coaching disproportionately at-risk children and youth in various summer camps designed to build the mind, soul, spirit and body; and holding communities and schools accountable for educating and graduating our youth through school board and NAACP advocacy. These life experiences and accomplishments gives him a crossroads’ perspective on topics that intersect family, politics, and religion in the United States (and globally). Niel’s column will address this intersection, in light of topics that are in the limelight and forefront of discussion in the news, within the halls of politics, in places of worship, and around the kitchen table.
Aurelia Rhoden