R&B Sensation Alex Harris on How he is Using Faith, Education, and Music to Change Lives
Alex Harris, an award-winning R&B musician, takes us through faith, education, and music to make a combination that uniquely sets him apart from other artists. Coming from a small town called Manchester, Georgia, he now resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, and uses his musical talent to impact the lives of those in the community.
As one of eight children and the son of a preacher and educator, the everlasting love and support from his family laid the groundwork for a remarkable journey.
“My life, growing up, started up, very humble beginnings, said Harris. “We didn't come from a place of means, but we had a lot of love.”
He continues, “Faith, education, and music became the three elements of our foundation. Those elements are, what continued to be, the source of our existence today.”
Family togetherness helped shape those entities and prompted his devotion to them at a young age. “I started singing when I was about, I'll say five years old, as early as I can remember. And then when seven years old, my brothers and I started a group,” said Harris.
Their love for music was a commonality that led to the formation of their group. As young kids, they were immensely creative, as they used the resources they could find to make instruments.
“So very innovative, even at a young age and determined to create something out of nothing, and that was the environment that we grew up in,” said Harris.
From there, Harris’s parents saw the love that they had for music and felt compelled to buy them instruments so that they could continue to dream big.
“It has been an amazing journey just to really understand the importance of commitment, determination, to your dream,” said Harris.
He continues, “And while we were learning to play music, from some of our folks that we were inspired by, by watching them on television or video, we had a chance to really understand and hone our own gifts and talents to become who we are today.”
Since his parents were educators, homeschooling and church were a significant part of their lives. Their curriculum was diverse; they learned everything from faith, mathematics, and their historical African American roots.
“That really is what became a great inspiration to us on how you can really come from nothing, starting small, and with a lot of determination and dedication and really developing vision, we can go a long way. And that's where we started,” said Harris.
This earned him entrance into higher education where he went on to obtain an education doctorate in organizational leadership. And now, Harris plans to accomplish his ultimate goal which is to give back to the youth.
Alex Harris pictured at the set of the interview
“I want to have a foundation one day and help a lot of kids and give them the opportunity that we were granted,” said Harris.
He also believes that music can help people more than you might imagine. Harris sparked this into existence by becoming the CEO of the Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT) which works to help students excel in their education and explore their talents.
“We help to create clear pathways, and that's what music beyond the stage means to me,” said Harris.
He hopes that he can help students who are less fortunate and give them opportunities so that they can pursue their dreams.
“Music beyond the stage really is I think the vehicle for helping others. And by that, I was able to take my musical interest and develop a vision to start an organization that will use not just music, but music and visual arts and acting to transform the lives of students,” said Harris.
He understands the importance of having access to these opportunities because he had to work hard in order to have the accomplishments he has now.
“It has been very humbling and rewarding at the same time to have opportunities to perform for the Premiere of Bermuda to perform for the Prime Minister of Ireland,” said Harris.
His accomplishments don’t stop at music. He serves as the vice president of the Recording Academy's Florida Chapter and has done advocacy work for congressional bills.
“It’s been really great to say that as I have been given, I'm able to give back and as an artist, I don't see my stage confined to just singing and doing music or writing songs,” said Harris.
He takes his musical inclination to places where he can uplift people and that is what makes him such a profound artist. Harris went to a children’s hospital to visit a child who was diagnosed with cancer, and he was able to put a smile on the child’s face simply through music.
“And at that point, I really knew that this is more than just something I enjoy; this is a calling, and this is what I gotta be doing,” said Harris. This is why I have to use this stage in order to heal in order to lift people up, in order to bring smiles and give hope again.”
He continues, “It transforms our lives. It gives hope. It gives vision. It is all of that because we are music.”
Harris believes that music is one of the most powerful forces in the universe that can unite and inspire people.
“I realized there is a common threat, regardless of position, regardless of the color of one’s skin, regardless of one’s gender identity, regardless of one’s orientation, we are all one,” said Harris.
Alex Harris, Sarina Fazan, and videographer Bryan Dicerb
Alex Harris’s journey is extraordinary, as he continues to prove why faith, education, and music are the basis of ambition.
“My hope is that as I continue on this musical journey is to be able to find as many ways that it's within me to express externally, to really bring hope and inspire love,” said Harris. And folks can find joy and happiness in being who they are and discovering what they're call is on this earth.”