Descriptive Summary
Access
Access Restrictions
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Processing Information
Biography / Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Arrangement
Indexing Terms
Other Finding Aids
Descriptive Summary
Title: Elihu M. Harris papers
Dates: 1968-1998
Collection number: MS 085
Creator:
Harris, Elihu, 1947-
Collection Size:
42 linear feet
(35 boxes + 3 oversized boxes)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract: The Elihu M. Harris Papers consist of reports, photographs, subject files, and administrative and financial records documenting
Harris' political career as the mayor of Oakland, California from 1991-1999 and as co-owner of KDIA radio station from 1992-1996.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Access Restrictions
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Publication Rights
Permission to publish from the Elihu M. Harris Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Preferred Citation
Elihu M. Harris papers, MS 085, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Acquisition Information
The Elihu M. Harris Papers were donated to the African American Museum & Library at Oakland by Elihu Harris on March 5, 1998.
Processing Information
Inventory of collection was created by Sean Heyliger and Sean Dickerson on December 14, 2017. Finding aid created by Sean
Heyliger on December 30, 2017.
Biography / Administrative History
Politician and attorney Elihu M. Harris (1947-) was born to Frances and Elihu Harris Sr. in Los Angeles, California on August
15, 1947. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Berkeley, California where he attended public schools graduating from
Berkeley High School in 1965. After graduation, he enrolled at California State College at Hayward majoring in Political Science,
serving as the student body vice president, and graduating with honors in 1968. The following year he graduated with a Master's
Degree in Public Administration from University of California Berkeley's Graduate School of Public Policy and his Juris Doctor
degree from University of California School of Law in 1972.
He entered politics as an administrative assistant (1974-1975) to Congresswoman Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and California Assemblyman
John J. Miller. He was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1978 as a Democrat representing the cities of Alameda,
Berkeley, and Oakland in California's 13th Assembly District. He was reelected in five consecutive elections in 1980, 1982,
1984, 1986, and 1988 and while in the Assembly served as the Chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and was a member
of the Ways and Means Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Health Committee and Transportation Committee.
Harris ran as a candidate for the mayor of the City of Oakland in 1990 defeating sitting Oakland mayor Lionel Wilson and Councilman
Wilson Riles Jr. in a run-off election. As mayor Harris focused on transitioning the city to a 'strong mayor' form of municipal
government by promoting Measure F, a city charter revision that was defeated in 1996. In addition to Measure F, he focused
on improving Oakland's public safety and economic development.
In 1992, he purchased KDIA radio station with former California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. They owned the historic Black
radio station until it was purchased by Baybridge Communications in 1996. He was appointed by California governor Gray Davis
to the California Unemployment Appeals Board (2000-2003) and served as chancellor of the Peralta Community College District
from 2003-2010.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Elihu M. Harris Papers consist of reports, photographs, subject files, and administrative and financial records documenting
Harris' political career as the mayor of Oakland, California from 1991-1999 and as co-owner of KDIA radio station from 1992-1996.The
papers are organized into five series: I. City of Oakland. Office of the Mayor records II. KDIA radio station III. Photographs
IV. Biographical material V. Assorted printed material.
The bulk of the collection are reports and subject files documenting Harris' term as mayor of Oakland. Subject files include
documentation demonstrating Harris' focus on improving economic development and public safety in Oakland. Records related
to Harris' co-ownership of KDIA radio station include the station's business plan, promotion and advertising material, legal
documents related to the station's purchase in 1996, and financial records. Photographs in the collection include portraits
taken of Harris as mayor of Oakland and photographs taken at public events including President Bill Clinton's visit to Oakland
in 1993. Biographical material consists of mostly newspaper clippings, financial records, plaques awarded to Harris during
his time as mayor, and a biographical sketch.
Arrangement
Series I. City of Oakland. Office of the Mayor
Series II. KDIA radio station
Series III. Photographs
Series IV. Biographical
Series V. Assorted printed material
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
African American radio stations
Oakland (Calif.) -- History
Oakland (Calif.). Mayor
Oakland (Calif.) -- Politics and government
Radio stations -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area -- History
Other Finding Aids
Elihu Harris Papers, California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.