Margaret Ann Harris: a devoted family member and entrepreneur, a writer, a Cleveland Browns fan, and activist passed away on August 26th, 2024, at age 61. Harris was devoted to life-long learning and achieved academic endeavors, often a trailblazer in her quest for education. She was a mighty woman, a mentor, colleague, and dear friend to many.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio at McDonald Memorial Hospital to Elijah and Charlene Harris. Margaret attended Gracemount Elementary, Alexander Hamilton, and in 1977 she started high school at John F. Kennedy. In her junior year of high school, Margaret applied and was admitted into the highly competitive Congressional Page Program. In this program, Margaret lived in Washington, D.C. for a year, attended Page School, and worked on Capitol Hill. Upon completion of the Page Program, Margaret resolved to someday return to D.C. permanently and she did just that in 1989! Upon graduating from John F. Kennedy High School, Margaret enrolled in Baldwin Wallace University and graduated in 1984 with a BA in Business Administration.

In the spring of 1981, Margaret was initiated into the Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where the desire to enrich the lives of the community began. Her line sisters had a rap to introduce themselves and she was ESQ (Extra Special Quality). She truly lived up to her line name. Upon

graduation, Margaret relocated to the Washington, D.C. area where she later joined Iota Gamma Omega a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. There she served on several committees that focused on empowering our families. Margaret was a true champion of service to all mankind which is

her beloved sorority’s mission. In 2006 she obtained her MBA in Finance from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.

While living in the D.C., Margaret lived a very full life. Her conscientious work ethic, academic achievements, and professional experience allowed her to hold positions in financial and operations management, with major corporations such as MCI, Verizon, Lockheed Martin, Jones Lang Lasalle, and KPMG. In 2017, Margaret joined the Leidos Corporation as a Finance Analyst for a Federal Aviation Administration contract. Margaret loved every aspect of her position with Leidos and thoroughly enjoyed the people with whom she worked. No matter what health challenges Margaret faced, she was always eager to perform her job.

Known as mhcorp1 by email, Margaret’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to pursue different business ventures throughout her life. In 2003, Margaret opened her own virtual mall where she sold designer clothing, electronics, and other items. In 2010, Margaret was an Independent Sales Representative for Silpada Designs silver jewelry. In 2016 Margaret created MySpa Bath and Body Products. She sold her bath soaps, lotions, and candles in local venues throughout the DC area. She also hosted a weekly internet-based radio show.

In the 1990s she volunteered as an Assistant Director of an Adult Basic Education Program at Largo High School in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Through her efforts, Margaret and the other volunteer instructors provided one-on-one tutoring that allowed the adults to eventually enroll in a program to obtain their GED. This experience led Margaret to write a book that allowed others to establish similar programs. In the early 2000s, Margaret completed the

training and obtained the certification needed to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Prince George County. As such, Margaret was an advocate for children in Foster Care system who required additional services due to neglect and abuse. As Margaret’s desire to serve her community never waned, she felt a need to assist the African American students at her alma mater, Baldwin Wallace University. There she and several others created the Baldwin Wallace University Black Alumni Network. She led the first event called “Reachback Weekend” for alumni to reconnect with the school and each

other. In subsequent years, the Black Alumni Network (BAN) expanded to have an annual event, establish a presence with BW administration, and provide scholarships to deserving students. To date, BAN has donated almost $10,000 to deserving African American students.

Margaret is survived by her mother Charlene, her brother and sister, Elisha” Big E” Harris and Annette Gray(Harris), aunt and uncle, Anne Marsha McKinney( Clyde) and Clarence Harris, her nieces, Nat’e Gray and Cinderella Gray, nephew, Dawann Gray Sr., great nephews, Dawann Gray Jr. and Jackson Chaplin, great niece, Madison Gray, and a host of cousins located in Cleveland, Chicago, and Atlanta area in which they affectionately called her “Bean.” Margaret is proceeding in death by her father Elijah Harris, uncles, Bill Harris, Chuck Harris, Eugene Harris (Rose), Roy Cochran, aunts, Mattie Patrick, and Mary Cochran (Darian), and many ancestors, known and unknown.

During a time like this, we realize how much our family and friends means to us. The family would like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate the homegoing of Margaret Harris. We appreciate all your prayers, cards, and words of encouragement.

Love,

The Family