Written By JR Robinson

The Power of the Rebuild

Life is rarely a straight line. For most of us, it is a series of peaks and valleys, a collection of moments where we are tested, broken, and eventually, if we choose, forged into something stronger. If you are sitting at home tonight feeling like your path is blurred, or like the world wasn’t built for someone like you, I want you to look at the story of Michael O. Harris.

Michael’s story isn’t just a biography; it’s a blueprint. It’s proof that your lowest moment doesn’t define your destination—it only defines the starting point for your comeback.

The Foundation of Faith and Discipline

Raised right here in Memphis and educated at Bishop Byrne, Michael grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition. In those halls, he learned that faith isn’t something you just talk about on Sundays; it’s something you practice. He learned that grace is real, but more importantly, he learned that mercy is not weakness.

That foundation was put to the ultimate test when he enlisted in the United States Navy following the attacks of September 11. Serving aboard the USS Curts (FFG-38), Michael operated in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, even supporting drug interdiction efforts in South America. In the middle of the ocean, responsibility isn't an abstract concept—it’s immediate.

The Lesson: He learned how to stand steady when everything around him was moving. Whether you are navigating a literal storm at sea or a personal storm in your life, discipline is the anchor that keeps you from drifting.

Authenticity in Unlikely Spaces

One of the most beautiful parts of Michael’s journey is his refusal to shrink. Even aboard a Navy frigate, his shipmates affectionately called him “Miss USS Curts.” He was learning, even then, how to be fully himself in spaces that weren't always designed for him.

After his service, he moved to San Diego and stepped onto a different kind of stage. Performing as Michelle Masters, he became a pillar of the LGBTQIA+ community. He wasn't just an entertainer at Lips San Diego; he was a leader. As a member of the Board of Directors for the Imperial Court de San Diego, he used his visibility to raise money for youth programs, health initiatives, and scholarships.

For Michael, those stages were never just about the applause. They were refuges. They were the first places many people heard the words: "You are okay. Just as you are."

The Decision to Rebuild

We all face a season where things don't hold. There was a time when Michael’s direction blurred, and his identity no longer aligned with his path. He faced a choice that many of us face in the dark: Disappear... or rebuild.

He chose to rebuild. He returned to Memphis and brought his "Navy discipline" to the financial sector at First Horizon. But he didn't just clock in and out. He founded the Alliance Employee Resource Group, creating a space for LGBTQIA+ employees where there was none. He proved that you can take your personal truth and use it to change the culture of a massive corporation.

Leaving It Better Than He Found It

Whether it was directing over $1 million in community investment at the Greater Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment Corporation or restoring partnerships at Junior Achievement, a pattern emerged: Michael enters complexity, brings structure, and leaves it better.

Today, he serves as the President and CEO of the Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority. He is dealing with housing, resilience, and the long-term future of our city. But even as he sits in the C-suite, he is still in the trenches. Through 100 Black Men of Memphis, he is mentoring young boys, showing them that they don't need to be perfect—they just need to be persistent.

Why This Matters for You

Michael O. Harris is currently a candidate for the Democratic Nomination for Assessor of Property in Shelby County. If elected, he would be the first openly gay Constitutional officer in the history of our county.

But this isn't about "firsts" for the sake of symbols. It’s about momentum.

• It’s about proof that you can come from where we come from and still stand.
• It’s about proof that you can walk into rooms that weren't designed for you and leave them changed.
• It’s about the fact that you can lose your way—and still find it again.

A Note from JR Robinson

As the CEO of JustMy, I’ve seen a lot of stories, but Michael’s hits differently. It’s a reminder that we are all "works in progress." If you are struggling today, remember Michael’s words: You can do this. You can do more than this. You can build a life that exceeds every limit placed on you.

Michael isn't just proving it's possible; he’s holding the door open so you can walk through it, too.

By: JR Robinson
CEO, JustMyMemphis

Historical Context: The Road Already Traveled

To truly appreciate how far Michael has come, we must look at the "Verified Roster of Segregation Officials" and the history of our region. The systems of the past were built on exclusion, often led by officials who signed documents like the Southern Manifesto. Leaders like John Sparkman and Strom Thurmond worked to ensure that certain voices remained silent.

In Tennessee, historical practices included:

• Segregated schools and public accommodations.
• Voter suppression practices that targeted minority communities.
• Anti-miscegenation laws and railroad segregation.

When Michael O. Harris stands as a candidate today, he is standing against a century of "No." He is the living answer to the Jim Crow policies that once defined the South—from the 1901 Alabama Constitution to the 1890 Mississippi Constitution. He represents a Memphis that is no longer defined by its past, but by the courage of its people to rise.