Michael 'Harry-O' Harris, co-founder of Death Row Records, joined Audacy Atlanta V-103’s The Big Tigger Morning Show to discuss his Our Community First initiative, and more.

Noting, “I do think that a lot of times people talk about what they wanna do, but then they leave the community out, the community voice is silent.” Harris and his team at Our Community First, “wanted to create an organization that spoke directly to the community's needs and not what somebody else says the community needs.”

Michael went on to say, the nonprofit “created an O plan,” explaining, “an O plan is about access, it’s about an access agenda and it's also about a redemption agenda.”

Expanding on his explanation, Harris continued, “the access agenda speaks about bringing capital to communities in various ways… We know that without capital you can't grow, so we just think that by connecting and engaging with business entrepreneurs around the country and government… we can put that to the forefront."

“We wanna come in… make sure our schools are better… make sure they got real job and career opportunities,” Michael said. “We wanna even exercise these pale grants for immediate career opportunities, especially with this new tech.”

“And then in terms of the redemption agenda, it’s something that's in my DNA, in terms of I was away for a long time, 33 years to be exact.” Michael shared. “I saw a lot of things behind the wall that a lot of people don't get to see or may not even care about."

"But I think it's something that the community should care about because when people go away, for whatever reason, you wanna make sure that they coming back equipped with skills to be able to function in society. So, all kind of programs that help people help themselves. That’s what we're about.”

As the the conversation continued, Harris also talked about the response his initiative has received from the community, being granted clemency by Donald Trump, and his current involvement with Death Row Records. As well as his relationship with Suge Knight, his relationship with Denzel Washington, and additionally shared some advice he thinks people should live by. To catch all that, and more, listen to the entire interview above.

Words by Maia Kedem Interview by The Big Tigger Morning Show