DCF SECRETARY TO SPEAK AT FSU PANAMA CITY’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT

Florida State University Panama City will host a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 19, 2025, featuring guest speaker Shevaun Harris, secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be from 10 a.m. to noon in the Holley Academic Center’s St. Joe Community Lecture Hall, 4750 Collegiate Drive.

“FSU Panama City is excited to have Mrs. Harris to serve as the keynote speaker for our 2025 annual Black History Month event,” said Associate Dean Irvin Clark. “Having this annual event at FSU Panama City demonstrates our commitment to honor the resilience and achievements of the Black community within our service area.”

Following remarks from Dean Randy Hanna, the Patterson Elementary School Debate Team will have a mock debate. After Harris speaks, violinist Samantha Crawford will perform. Selected readings will also be presented. Lunch will be served at 11:15 a.m.

Harris has served as DCF secretary since February 2021. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work from FSU, as well as a master’s degree in business administration from Quinnipiac University. She and her husband have two daughters; she credits her experience as a mom for serving as a guidepost in her DCF role.

Prior to joining the DCF, Harris spent nearly two decades at the Agency for Health Care Administration, where she focused on the administration of the multi-billion-dollar Florida Medicaid program.