Zenovia Harris Talks Pioneering Equity and Entrepreneurship in Kent on The Day With Trae
Photos by Jordan Somers
Recently, on The Day with Trae, guest host Deaunte Damper was joined by Zenovia Harris, the Chief Equity Officer of Zenovia Harris Consulting LLC and the first Black CEO of the Kent Chamber of Commerce. Harris shared insights into her upcoming initiatives, her pivotal role within Kent's Chamber of Commerce, and her impactful community work as an entrepreneur.
"Zenovia Harris LLC is about me at my core. I am a woman of many talents, struggles, and triumphs, and I think naming my organization after myself allows me to do what I want," Harris said.
Harris's work extends across various sectors in Kent, one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the US. Reflecting on a recent milestone within the Kent School District, Harris shared, "We've got a really great program going on through Kent School District right now, and for the very first time, the administrator said this is the most ethnically diverse career fair we've ever had."
In her efforts to cultivate a nurturing environment for youth, Harris has curated a mix of participants for the event, including small business owners, musicians, notaries, and individuals from all walks of life.
"I brought in all Black and Brown, white, everything that you can think of on every spectrum to make sure the kids know wherever you are, you have a place in this world, even in entrepreneurship," Harris said.
For Harris, community work, particularly with children, goes beyond mere professional obligations but is a deeply personal mission.
"I am there because, at my core, I'm still that broken seven-year-old girl who lost her mother. So what I can do is show up for people and show them that there is another option," Harris said. "Sometimes, that's all you have to see: that there's another option, and I'm proud and glad to be that option for other people."
Regarding her tenure at the chamber, which she has been with for the last five years, Harris perceives this role as a natural progression for her lifelong entrepreneurial spirit. Drawing from her background in operations management at the University of Phoenix, she has seamlessly transitioned into her role within the chamber, leveraging her skills to drive impactful change and foster community growth.
"I looked at it as I've been an entrepreneur my whole life. I found out at a young age, I was really good at sales. Then I figured, well, if I can sell for somebody else, then I can sell for myself, so I sell real estate notaries all have these different things," Harris said. "So I want to be true to who I am and the chamber, at its core is about building entrepreneurship. That is who I am."
Recognizing the chamber's role as a membership-based organization, Harris is breaking down obstacles to create more opportunities based on inclusion.
"I'm trying to figure out how do we make a space for everybody where membership might be a barrier," Harris said. "So, every time I'm going into a situation, I'm looking at it from an equity lens ... what can we do as a chamber to make sure that I'm supporting businesses and meeting them where they are?"
Central to her role is the creation of opportunities in underserved sectors.
"When you think about entrepreneurship and businesses, you don't typically hear people say businesses are underserved or underprivileged," Harris said. "That's just not the truth. Access is limited to some people and my job is to create better ways for that access."
Now, after enduring tumultuous years, she is expanding the chamber's work through a transition period, highlighting an influx of new businesses joining the chamber.
"For the last couple of years, we've been in survival mode, and now what I'm doing is looking at the landscape of businesses," Harris said, emphasizing that the chamber has grown in networking diverse businesses throughout Kent.
Continuing, she said, "What it says to me is that I have to figure out what those businesses need," Harris said. There's no mistake that these businesses are coming to me. I'm not doing this campaign. "Oh, all businesses of color come into the chamber." Just me being there is enough, but now that I'm there, and I've invited them into this space, now I have to create things."
Among the new initiatives spearheaded by the chamber is an eagerly recurring series of 'Resource Fridays,' designed to provide invaluable support to local businesses.
"We're going to have someone in there doing marketing, a lawyer sitting there," Harris said. "We're going to have a variety of different business owners that are going to be there to mentor, teach, and lead, and then that way, the small businesses can come in, and we'll meet them where they are."
Harris is also setting up 'Start to Scale,' a 10-step program running through the chamber.
"As a business, if all you have is a name or an idea, we will take you through these ten steps, and by the time you walk out the door, hopefully, you'll have a business with funding and options," Harris said.
Additionally, the anticipated Regional Business Expo is just around the corner, scheduled for Thursday, May 9. Secure your spot now by clicking here to register!
Stay informed about what's happening in your community by tuning in to "The Day With Trae" live at 11 am Monday through Friday on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae's YouTube Channel.
