ABOUT

Alene Brown Harris

Trailblazer, Speaker & Author

Alene Brown Harris is a 1970 graduate of Alcorn A&M University (HBCU), where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. Brown-Harris, mother always told her to “Reach for the Sky, and whatever you achieve will not be taken away from you.” That was great advice for a young black child growing up in the rural south; Brown-Harris knew she had to work hard, set goals, and meet challenges. She also knew that quitting was not an option.

Brown-Harris is the Chairwoman of the National Congress of Black Women (NCBW), Los Angeles Chapter past three years. Ms. Brown-Harris is a lifetime NCBW member of and serves on its National Board for two terms. She has been a member of NCBW since 2009, has served as Chaplain, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and 1st Vice-Chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Los Angeles Chapter, and Acting Far West Regional Director and now Chapter Chair. She volunteered to be part of the 2020 National 36th Annual Awards Ceremony.

She was the first woman, and first African American hired as a laboratory technician candidate at the Chevron Refinery on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1970. Brown-Harris received the highest score (170) on their aptitude exam in Chevron’s history. Her primary job duties were to test jet fuel (JP-4) for commercial jets, aviation types of gasoline for small aircraft, Navy special fuel oil (NSFO-NATO) for submarine ships, transmission fluid for vehicles, diesel fuel oils, motor oils, and many other types of raw materials and finished products governed by ASTM and Standard Operating Procedures.

In 1972, Brown-Harris transferred to the Chevron/El Segundo Refinery after choosing three positions offered to her. After that, she held several critical roles, including Qualified Lab Technician, Lab Trainer, Lead Tech, Lab Supervisor, Payroll Supervisor, SOX Coordinator, Policy 530 Coordinator, and Relief Plant Manager of Distribution Center. Brown-Harris traveled to several parts of the world in her work capacity, training new employees in various lab procedures and leadership positions. In 1980, Brown-Harris was promoted to Laboratory Supervisor, whereas she was responsible for a multi-billion-dollar budget. After 38 years of service, Brown-Harris retired from Chevron/Texaco in El Segundo, California.

Alene Brown-Harris believes strongly in serving the community and has an impressive list of volunteerisms. She is a former Candidate for City Treasurer and City Council positions for Carson. Additionally, she has helped raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson; American Cancer Society/Susan B. Komen, Relay for Life and has donated generously to Sickle Cell Awareness Campaigns, sending special needs children to Camp Moon and as a Girl Scout leader in the City of Carson for 18 years. Brown-Harris has served as the Chairwoman of Carson Parks and Recreation Commission, President of the Carson Women’s Club, First Vice-President of the NAACP Carson/Torrance Branch, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., (Area VI), Treasurer. In 2013, Brown-Harris worked with the Community Empowerment Forum and the Office of Federal Student Aid to further the mission of the White House Young America Series, whose goals were to bridge former President Obama’s vision and that of the MMF Inc., with the needs of America’s youth in “STEM.”

Ms. Brown-Harris Harris has an impressive list of personal acknowledgments and accomplishments. While attending Alcorn A & M University, Alene was pinned as one of the best-dressed ladies in her senior yearbook and pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Sweetheart (Silhouettes). She is featured in the book, “Come Sunday Morning – African-American Women Worship in Style;” In 2012, Brown-Harris was named Extraordinary Woman of the 55th Assembly District, and in the same year, she was a California Delegate for the 44th Democratic National Convention in North Carolina. In 2010 Brown-Harris was recognized as Female Democrat of the Year, receiving the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Award and was appointed as Co-Chair and Board Member of “CAPRCBM,” California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, an agency comprised of recreational professionals from thirteen Southern California cities. In 2010, Alene was recognized as “Woman of the Year Award,” 64th Assembly District.

Brown-Harris retired from Century 21 Union as a Real Estate agent after 12 years of service. She is currently a Mobile Notary Public Agent, an elected California Delegate representing the 64th District for the Democratic National Convention, slated for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 2020, and a Carson Cultural Arts Commission member, 2020. Alene published her first book, “ALENE Chevron’s First African American Scientist in November 2019.” She plans to tour the United States and promote her book. The City of Carson presented her with a “Certificate of Recognition” for releasing her first book and making history in STEM. Recently, Harris was a “Judge for Carson Boys & Girl Youth Contest. Additionally, she was recognized by Deborah Chapter 13, Eastern Star, with a “Leadership Award.”

Brown-Harris is married to Bennie Harris, and they have two daughters, Nakita and Shanta, and the proud grandparents of twins, Asiah and Isaiah. The Brown-Harris family are members of and regularly attend Resurrection Church-LA. Brown-Harris’ hobbies include collecting old coins, stamps, home decorations, gardening, bowling, and traveling.

Without a doubt, Alene Brown-Harris, an inspiration to everyone whose lives she touches.