Image from the "And Justice For All" project by the Durham County Courthouse Art Wall, found here.
Rencher Nicholas Harris served as a role model for many young and old black residents of Durham throughout his life dedicated to equality and justice. While Harris’ role before being elected as the first black councilman in 1953 was fundamental in changing the perception of Durham's black population, his actions while in this and other political positions changed the political, social, and economic landscape of everyone touched by his policies. Just a few months before being elected in 1953, Harris decided that he should put his name on the ballot to represent Black Durham, an underrepresented community when regarding the segregated south and inherently unfair treatment of blacks by white members of the community. (1) Constantly promoting “We must vote!” as a way to encourage blacks to remain active in the political fight, Harris served as a positive influence for all of democracy (2).
Harris began his heightened role while working for the Bankers Fire Insurance Company. He rose through the ranks in a fairly standard way, going from special agent to managing underwriter very early on in his career. From there, he served as assistant secretary until being promoted to vice president secretary by the time he had declared to run for councilman in 1953 (3). He also was very active in the Lincoln Hospital, a hospital that specialized in serving the black community in Durham. In all of these experiences, Harris served to represent those who were often misrepresented, speaking up and out against acts of discrimination and injustice. When running his campaign, he found importance in going door-to-door in order to build personal relationships with all of his future constituents (4).
When Harris was elected as the first black councilman, both white and black newspapers recognized this momentous occasion. The Carolina Times, the black Durham newspaper at the time, covered the event as a “Durham victory” because “[electing a black person] finally happened” (5). The Durham Morning Herald, a news publication meant primarily for a white audience, also reported the significance of this election by stating that the staff fully trusted Harris in his new role to enact positive change on the Durham community (6).
Harris served on the city council for four years, working towards improving race relations alongside Mayor Emanuel Evans, school desegregation, and housing equality for all Durham residents. This work contributed to his suggestion to then-mayor Evans to create the Human Relations Committee as a way to promote interracial dialogue among all Durham residents (7). This committee played a large role in desegregating public spaces and representing a new normal that encouraged people of different racial backgrounds to come together and establish justice for all (8). His impact was certainly recognized in implementing so much change.
Harris continued his political career as the first black member of the Durham Board of Education (9). It was primarily through this role that he pushed for the integration of Durham public schools to equalize conditions of black education. He enrolled eight students different schools on a historical day in September of 1959 (10). Harris also encouraged housing reform by speaking out against the horrific conditions inherent in low-income housing and working to improve these conditions for these community members. His legacy is often remembered because of his dedication to integrating schools, so much so that the R.N. Harris Elementary School bares its name in his honor (11).
(1) Harris, Rencher Nicholas. "Declaration of intent to run." March 24, 1953. Clipping Series, 1951-1966, 1980 and undated Folder 1, Oversize Materials. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Durham, NC.
(2) Harris, Rencher Nicholas. "Work for Rights, Durham Councilman Tells Audience." Box 1, Folder 1:
Clippings, 1951-1966 and undated. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk
1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Durham, NC.
(3) "Education Board Seat Given Harris." March 4, 1958. Box 1, Folder 1: Clippings, 1951-1966 and undated. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Durham, NC.
(4) "Clipping Series, 1951-1966, 1980 and undated Folder 1, Oversize Materials." Oversize Folder 1:
Clipping Series, 1951-1966, 1980 and undated Folder 1, Oversize Materials. Rencher Nicholas
Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript
Library, Durham, NC.
(5) The Carolina Times (Chapel Hill, NC). "First Winner Says it was 'Durham Victory.'" May 9, 1953.
(6) The Durham Morning Herald (Durham, NC). "Durham Voters to Elect City Councilmen Today." May 5, 1953.
(7) Jean Bradley Anderson, Durham County: A History of Durham County, North Carolina (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2011), 367.
(8) The Carolina Times (Durham, NC). "Carolina Theater Segregation Issue to Face Council Monday." February 3, 1962.
(9) "Education Board Seat Given Harris." March 4, 1958. Box 1, Folder 1: Clippings, 1951-1966 and undated. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Durham, NC.
(10) Anderson, Durham County, 363-364.
(11) "Rencher Nicholas “R. N.” Harris, First African American on the City Council and the Durham
County Board of Education." And Justice for All. Last modified January 24, 2013. Accessed April
16, 2018. http://andjusticeforall.dconc.gov/gallery_images/rencher-nicholas-r-n-harris-first-african-american-on-the-city-council-and-the-durham-county-board-of-education/.
Harris began his heightened role while working for the Bankers Fire Insurance Company. He rose through the ranks in a fairly standard way, going from special agent to managing underwriter very early on in his career. From there, he served as assistant secretary until being promoted to vice president secretary by the time he had declared to run for councilman in 1953 (3). He also was very active in the Lincoln Hospital, a hospital that specialized in serving the black community in Durham. In all of these experiences, Harris served to represent those who were often misrepresented, speaking up and out against acts of discrimination and injustice. When running his campaign, he found importance in going door-to-door in order to build personal relationships with all of his future constituents (4).
When Harris was elected as the first black councilman, both white and black newspapers recognized this momentous occasion. The Carolina Times, the black Durham newspaper at the time, covered the event as a “Durham victory” because “[electing a black person] finally happened” (5). The Durham Morning Herald, a news publication meant primarily for a white audience, also reported the significance of this election by stating that the staff fully trusted Harris in his new role to enact positive change on the Durham community (6).
Harris served on the city council for four years, working towards improving race relations alongside Mayor Emanuel Evans, school desegregation, and housing equality for all Durham residents. This work contributed to his suggestion to then-mayor Evans to create the Human Relations Committee as a way to promote interracial dialogue among all Durham residents (7). This committee played a large role in desegregating public spaces and representing a new normal that encouraged people of different racial backgrounds to come together and establish justice for all (8). His impact was certainly recognized in implementing so much change.
Harris continued his political career as the first black member of the Durham Board of Education (9). It was primarily through this role that he pushed for the integration of Durham public schools to equalize conditions of black education. He enrolled eight students different schools on a historical day in September of 1959 (10). Harris also encouraged housing reform by speaking out against the horrific conditions inherent in low-income housing and working to improve these conditions for these community members. His legacy is often remembered because of his dedication to integrating schools, so much so that the R.N. Harris Elementary School bares its name in his honor (11).
(1) Harris, Rencher Nicholas. "Declaration of intent to run." March 24, 1953. Clipping Series, 1951-1966, 1980 and undated Folder 1, Oversize Materials. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Durham, NC.
(2) Harris, Rencher Nicholas. "Work for Rights, Durham Councilman Tells Audience." Box 1, Folder 1:
Clippings, 1951-1966 and undated. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk
1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Durham, NC.
(3) "Education Board Seat Given Harris." March 4, 1958. Box 1, Folder 1: Clippings, 1951-1966 and undated. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Durham, NC.
(4) "Clipping Series, 1951-1966, 1980 and undated Folder 1, Oversize Materials." Oversize Folder 1:
Clipping Series, 1951-1966, 1980 and undated Folder 1, Oversize Materials. Rencher Nicholas
Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript
Library, Durham, NC.
(5) The Carolina Times (Chapel Hill, NC). "First Winner Says it was 'Durham Victory.'" May 9, 1953.
(6) The Durham Morning Herald (Durham, NC). "Durham Voters to Elect City Councilmen Today." May 5, 1953.
(7) Jean Bradley Anderson, Durham County: A History of Durham County, North Carolina (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2011), 367.
(8) The Carolina Times (Durham, NC). "Carolina Theater Segregation Issue to Face Council Monday." February 3, 1962.
(9) "Education Board Seat Given Harris." March 4, 1958. Box 1, Folder 1: Clippings, 1951-1966 and undated. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Durham, NC.
(10) Anderson, Durham County, 363-364.
(11) "Rencher Nicholas “R. N.” Harris, First African American on the City Council and the Durham
County Board of Education." And Justice for All. Last modified January 24, 2013. Accessed April
16, 2018. http://andjusticeforall.dconc.gov/gallery_images/rencher-nicholas-r-n-harris-first-african-american-on-the-city-council-and-the-durham-county-board-of-education/.
