Michael Lawrence Harris is the dean of Houston daily commercial radio talk show hosts. Harris, in his 35th year on Houston radio and 32nd year at KCOH (1430 A.M.), has hosted KCOH "Person to Person" (8-11 am daily) for 26 plus years. Never one to avoid the controversial, Harris has earned respect and popularity across the United States. Harris serves as the stations News Director and also hosts the popular "Gospel Melody Time" program from 5:30 until 7:30 a.m. weekdays.
Michael was selected Houston’s “TOP JOCK” in an area wide competition sponsored by the Houston Chronicle newspaper. Other awards and recognitions include being named Houston’s Best Talk Show Host by the Houston Press newspaper, named a Man on the Move and a Houston Black Achiever. Harris received the Havanah Award from the Houston Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award from the NAACP, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Houston Black Alumni Association and had some of his accomplishments read into the Congressional Record from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Jack Fields. Harris has also toured Israel on a media fact finding tour, served on a Justice Department panel studying Black/Asian race relations in Washington, D.C. and was the subject of a feature story in the Washington Post written by David Maraniss, author of the Clinton biography “FIRST IN HIS CLASS”. Most of Michael's latest awards and recognitions are related to his work toward racial unity and understanding. A recent Houston Chronicle feature article spotlighted Michael’s efforts. Michael is proud to have been selected by Governor Rick Perry to be an announcer for his Inaugural Parade and he and his family attended the Governors Inaugural Ball. The program "Inside 11" co-hosted and co-created by Harris, won the first NAACP Image Award.
Michael Harris was born in Galveston Texas. His mother Quaranette’s illness prompted a move to the deep east Texas community of Shady Grove Gary. He lived with his grandparents, J.B. and Lunacy Harris. Jim Crow ruled in the 50's and 60's. Gary’s schools were not open to blacks but nearby Carthage offered Blacks facilities. Michael attended Southside Elementary and Turner High School. Racial progress in the 60's brought FREEDOM OF CHOICE and Michael transferred to Carthage High. There he found many subjects and opportunities not available at the black school. Michael worked on the school newspaper and discovered his interest in radio while working on a project for speech class. He graduated with honors in 1969.
Harris attended the University of Houston from the fall of 1969 thru the spring of 1973 majoring in Radio and Television. He worked in Scholarships and Financial Aid, was a founding of the UH Crescendo's and was a member of the Black Student Union.
Michael and his wife, Dyetta Yvonne Harris, a teacher, live in the Wood Forest West area with their daughter, Allessundra Crystal Harris, who attends college while working part time. His other daughter, Vanetria Michelle Harris, also lives in Houston. Michael attends the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ where his long time friend, George Foreman, is pastor. Harris helps Foreman with many of his business and charitable projects. Foreman has a weekly show at 7:30 Wednesday mornings, “George Foreman’s Guide to Life”. Michael is pleased that George included a passage about him in his latest book “GOD IN MY CORNER” and he thanks God for allowing him to work with the management and staff of KCOH and to worship with the flock at the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and pastor Foreman.
Record from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Jack Fields. Harris has also toured Israel on a media fact finding tour, served on a Justice Department panel studying Black/Asian race relations in Washington, D.C. and was the subject of a feature story in the Washington Post written by David Maraniss, author of the Clinton biography “FIRST IN HIS CLASS”. Most of Michael's latest awards and recognitions are related to his work toward racial unity and understanding. A recent Houston Chronicle feature article spotlighted Michael’s efforts. Michael is proud to have been selected by Governor Rick Perry to be an announcer for his Inaugural Parade and he and his family attended the Governors Inaugural Ball. The program "Inside 11" co-hosted and co-created by Harris, won the first NAACP Image Award.
