In 2019, after her appointment as the representative for the City Council-South District and the completion of her first term as County Legislator for the 27th District, Councilmember LaShay D. Harris has proven to be a persistent pillar of service in the Rochester community.
As City Councilmember - South District, she represents more than 40,000 residents of the City of Rochester. She is the Chair of the Council's Recreation & Human Services Committee, and also serves on the Neighborhood & Business Development and Public Safety Committees. She recently served on the Finance Committee.
LaShay has roots in the 19th Ward, where she lives with her husband, Rodney Brown. She has served the 19th Ward Community Association (19WCA) as the past president, 1st vice president, and now functions as a member and chair of the 19WCA annual Square Fair. During her tenure at the 19th Ward Community Association, she was instrumental in various grassroots efforts in the South District. She helped pave the way for the 19th ward to be recognized as a National Historic District with the assistance of the Landmark Society. She also served on the Housing and Education Committee and successfully worked to prevent the closure of elementary schools in the neighborhood.
Councilmember Harris began her career in EMS for National Ambulance, the Rural/Metro and American Medical Response predecessor, as an EMT. She eventually became a paramedic in 1997 after graduating from the Western New York Emergency Medical Services Training Institute. Harris made history by becoming the first African American female paramedic in the County of Monroe. She previously served as a Paramedic Preceptor, CPR Instructor, business development manager, and educator.
LaShay became a real estate agent in 2002 and worked as a sales agent for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Discover Real Estate, formerly known as Prudential Discover Real Estate. She maintains her license and has been an active sales agent for more than 17 years.
In 2003, she took a full-time position at Irondequoit Ambulance as a Paramedic. She was later promoted to Deputy Operations Manager, where she served until her 2008 appointment as the Public Information Officer (PIO) of Rural/Metro Medical Services, now American Medical Response (AMR), Rochester, NY. During her time as the PIO, LaShay developed a robust and responsive Media Incident Alert Program, which aided in the forming of a partnership with the local media agencies.
LaShay has been instrumental as an Instructor Coordinator for the EMS Pathway of the Career Pathways to Public Safety Program and initiated the implementation of EMT training at REOC of the College at Brockport. These programs involve key partnerships with the City of Rochester, Rochester City School District and the College at Brockport.
Today, LaShay works at the Rochester City School District as the Coordinator of the Career Pathways to Public Safety Program, a program designed to provide access to public safety careers for Rochester's 11th and 12th graders.
Councilmember Harris continues her work on various non-profit boards as a volunteer. She holds an A.S. in Communications Media Arts from Monroe Community College and a B.S. in Organizational Management from Roberts Wesleyan College.