Born and raised in Brownwood to the parents of Hardie and Linda Barnes. Kandice Harris is the youngest of 7 children. Harris is the mother of Brownwood High Schooler, Langston Barnes.

Creative, organized, social, and caring are some of the words used to describe Harris. From an early age Harris sought to create content and help those in need.

While in high school Harris was mentored by Larry Mathis & Sarah Brown. Larry Mathis is a father figure to her, who mentored her in UIL Poetry, and she advanced to the State competition. Sarah Brown coached her after school and remains a close and dear friend.

In 2000, Harris graduated from Brownwood high School with honors. Believing that she needed to move away to gain real world experience in a larger city, Harris moved to Huntsville, Tx and attended Sam Houston State University. While attending Sam Houston, Harris majored in Theatre and Theatre Art Management.

Wanting to be involved in campus life, Harris committed herself to various clubs and organizations. She was a member of the Women United group, Program Council, New Student Orientation as a leader, and was part of the Golden Key International Honor Society. Finding more room on her already full plate, Harris was awarded the opportunity to join Alpha Psi Omega chapter of the National Theatre honor society.

Having been associated with the arts most of her life, while attending Sam Houston, Harris Co-Directed and directed several plays including: “The Colored Museum”, and 4 V-Day campaigns including Eve Ensler’s “Necessary Targets.”

In 2004 Harris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a 3.58 gpa. She was named to the Dean’s list and, who’s who among college students.

Wanting to expand her work, after graduation Harris moved back to central west Texas and enrolled at Angelo State University where she began her Masters work, in Communication and Media Studies.

Many who speak about Harris comment on how creativity runs through her veins. This was no exception at Angelo State. Harris continued her work with play production and art. She directed The Zoo Story and taught herself to paint, holding classes for beginning painters. She was an instructor for Paint Nite until 2018.

Towards the end of her academic career, Harris completed her thesis in Art Base Inquiry. Using art as a form of research, she created the Nap Sack Project. In 2014 Harris Graduated with a Master of Arts in Communications, from Angelo State University.

Having gained experiences in Huntsville and San Angelo, Harris decided it was time to bring her talent and skills back to Brown County. Upon her return she served as the first African American Membership Director of the Early Chamber of Commerce.

Being a caring/ passionate person along with her ability to socialize with all, Harris was sought out to lead and be a member of many executive boards. She served on the Executive Board of the Penatukah Comanche Cultural Heritage Trail, Brownwood Lyric Theatre, the Child Welfare Board of Brown County and was an alternate board member on the Zoning Board of Adjustments.

If she wasn’t busy enough, Harris would become an Adjunct Professor at Lonestar Community College in Communications as well as an Adjunct Professor of Communications at Howard Payne University.

After one year with the Early Chamber as the membership director, Harris moved across the bayou to Brownwood and became the first African American Communications director for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce in 2019. That same year, she was promoted to Co-Director. In her new role, Harris would oversee all aspects of communications for the organization, including marketing, public relations, advertising, social media, as well as graphic design.

In March of 2022, Harris once again was promoted, this time she would become the first African American to hold the position of Executive Director of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. She now oversees 300 plus annual events, including the Chamber awards banquet, Lighted Christmas Parade, Ribbon cuttings, Leadership Brownwood, and Coffee Talk, to name a few.

Holding true to her performing arts background, in 2023 Harris once again was called to the stage. This time she would be the first person of color to direct a mainstage play at the Brownwood Lyric Theatre, directing William Inge’s Picnic.

Truly an artist, ROC would like to say thank you to Kandice Harris for being a trailblazer for the next generation. You are an inspiration to all Brownwoodians. Keep going and keep being creative!

This will be a four-week, weekly series presented by ROC spotlighting African American Heroes from or in Brownwood, who have made an impact on the community.