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2025 Heroes in the Community Gala

Honoree

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Bishop Robert W. Harris

A Lifetime of Service, Legacy, and Love

Bishop R.W. Harris, a lifelong advocate for justice, faith, and community, has devoted his life to service, leadership, and love. A Silver Life Member of the Freeport/Roosevelt NAACP, Bishop Harris began his civil rights journey at just seventeen with the Harlem Branch. At twenty, he joined the NAACP Bus to the historic March on Washington, where he witnessed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech—a moment that solidified his lifelong commitment to justice.

Throughout his distinguished career, Bishop Harris continued to champion equity and accountability. He played a pivotal role in a successful discrimination lawsuit against the NYC Housing Police Department, through the Guardians Association, challenging systemic racism within law enforcement.

A graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the FBI National Academy, Bishop Harris retired as a Detective Lieutenant. He has remained deeply engaged through his service with organizations such as NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives), the Guardians Association (as Police Chaplain), and One Hundred Black Men, Nassau/Suffolk. He was also one of three founding Commissioners of the Nassau County Conditional Release Commission, later serving as a County Police Chaplain, and currently serves on the Nassau County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. He also holds a B.A. in Religious Education and Theology.

 

Together with his beloved wife, the late Pastor Novella Harris, Bishop Harris co-founded Grace Cathedral International, a spiritual and community anchor for countless families. Their shared vision gave rise to the Sure Foundation Child Care Center in 1995 and the Grace Multi-Cultural Center in 2005—safe havens offering everything from after-school anti-gang programming and music lessons to vocational training, karate, and support for children with special needs through the innovative “SOS” (Save Our Sanity) initiative.

The passing of Pastor Novella Harris on December 9, 2024, has been a profound loss to both her family and the broader community she uplifted through her ministry and work. Her legacy lives on through the programs she pioneered and the lives she transformed.

Bishop Harris’s mission of service transcends borders. He has led international crusades in Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, India, the Philippines, and Haiti—delivering humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, to underserved regions. He has also led nine pilgrimages to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan and was awarded a “Peace Award” by the Israeli Government for his role in interfaith dialogue with members of the PLO.

 

Bishop Harris and Pastor Novella shared an unshakable commitment to family. They are the proud parents of four accomplished children who continue their legacy of leadership and service:

 

  • Darlene Harris McCabe, Esq., Commissioner, Nassau County Assessment Review Commission
  • Robert Wayne Harris, Superintendent, Roosevelt Union Free School District
  • Richard Troy Harris, Commissioner, Uniondale Fire Department
  • Jalana Harris, Psychotherapist

Though Pastor Novella has transitioned, her presence is ever felt—in the halls of Grace Cathedral, in the hearts of those she mentored, and in the enduring strength of her family. Bishop R.W. Harris continues to lead with grace, faith, and purpose, leaving an indelible mark on all who know him.

Locally, Bishop Harris remains a passionate advocate for the future of Uniondale. His support for “Next Generation” housing initiatives, including the redevelopment of the Holly Patterson Extended Care site, reflects his vision for empowering youth to return home after college and invest in their own communities.