Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s “Evolved Man of the Week” profile. Each week we will highlight an individual that embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous individual alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the minister, the graduate of Fayetteville State University with a BSW, Ronald E. McNair Scholar, and current student at University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work pursuing an MSW/Ph.D., Andre Marcel Harris.
André’s professional goals include influencing health equity for sickle cell patients. Andre would like to be the director of a community based organization or a nonprofit organization that supports sickle cell disease. André’s research interests include barriers to healthcare, social determinants of health, and the impact of socioeconomic issues on patients’ overall healthcare. Andre is interested in the psychosocial factors that impact sickle cell disease and the patients who suffer from it.
Andre holds certifications with the sickle cell disease Association of America, Inc as a sickle cell counselor/educator, community health worker, patient-centered peer facilitator, and national sickle Cell Advocate. He also holds a certification as a hemoglobinopathy counselor from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Andre is a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers, the National Association of Social Workers, the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, the American Public Health Association, and the National Eagle Scout Association. Andre is a certified community health worker, sickle cell counselor/educator, and patient advocate who collaborates with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA). Andre has dedicated his life to working for the cause of sickle cell disease, recognizing the gap in research, funding, education, and awareness of the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States.
Andre is also the founder of the social media Facebook and Twitter groups, Black Men in Social Work. With the hope of connecting black male social workers to each other in a female-dominated field and lacking diversity.
In his own words about advocacy, here is Andre Marcel Harris:
“Advocacy is important because policymakers are often uneducated about chronic diseases and their impacts. They rely on advocates and lobbyists to educate them and vote on behalf of patients. It is important to advocate for the rights of the entire chronic disease community and not just for yourself.”
Andre continues to uplift different communities through his ministry, social media presence, and advocacy as a fellow social worker and a black man his work is important. We at the Evolving Man Project wish Andre the continued success with his studies and his advocacy work. Today we honor Andre Marcel Harris as our Evolved Man of the Week.
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