Amber J.E. Harris is Pa.’s first Black woman to lead the Human Relations Commission

• Asia Tabb
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  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
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The House Education Committee passed a measure to assure the welfare of cyber charter school students following a heated debate Wednesday

aired; August 13, 2026

Amber J.E. Harris is making history as the first Black woman to lead the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission — and she says the milestone is about more than being first.

Harris, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, joined The Spark to discuss her historic appointment, the commission’s role in protecting Pennsylvanians from discrimination and her plans for the agency.

While Harris said she was thrilled to become the first Black woman to lead the commission, she is already thinking about who comes next. “I’m always thinking of what’s next. That’s just naturally my personality. And while I’m excited to be first, I definitely don’t want to be last. And I look forward to seeing the first Asian person to lead the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the first Hispanic person to lead Pennsylvania Human Relation Commission.”

Harris wants the commission to be known as a place where Pennsylvanians can turn when they need help with civil rights issues — and where getting that help isn’t complicated. “I want the PHRC to be seen as the leader in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for civil rights. I want us to be known for justice. And not just justice, I want it to be accessible.”

The commission investigates discrimination complaints involving employment, housing, education and public accommodations. Harris said disability discrimination is currently the agency’s largest category of complaints.

She also wants to reduce the time it takes to resolve cases. Harris said the commission’s average case processing time is currently about 280 days. “We are taking a hard look in reducing that time so that people that contact us can receive justice much quicker than they have been historically.”

Harris emphasized that people don’t need to understand civil rights law before contacting the commission. “You don’t need to know. It’s not the community’s job to know what the law is and what the statute is. That’s our job.”

For Harris, education and community engagement are key to preventing discrimination before it happens—and making sure Pennsylvanians know where to turn when they need help.

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.