Cecile "Cecily" Harris Walters, MPA

BIOGRAPHY

Cecile Harris Walters is originally from Akron, Ohio. She and her sister were the first in their generation to graduate from college. Getting a good government job is what her dad, Henry Harris, told his girls as they approached high school graduation and made plans for their future. Cecile came to Long Beach, California in 1979 with her parents' support.

Cecile had a distinguished career for over 32 years with the City of Long Beach in various roles and retired in 2014. Her career included serving as a Civil Service Department proctor and recruiter, Chief of Staff to the late Vice Mayor and Councilwoman Doris Topsy-Elvord who was the first African American female to be elected in the City of Long Beach and the first to serve four years as Vice Mayor. To serve and work with the constituents of the Sixth Council District and the entire city of Long Beach was an honor. Cecile also held positions as the Coordinator of the Center for Work Families and the Youth Opportunity Center overseeing these satellite one stop centers and she was the Layoff Aversion Coordinator with Pacific Gateway Workforce. While working with Pacific Gateway, she managed federal, state, and county grants meeting and exceeding performance measures, and responded to the needs of over 500 at-risk businesses.

In 2023, eight years after retirement, Cecile joined the Office of Mayor Rex Richardson, the first African American Mayor of Long Beach, continuing her journey in public administration. She assisted as the Scheduler and later as a Special Projects Assistant. Cecile completed her assignment with the Office of the Mayor and shared, “It was an honor and a privilege to be a member of his team.”

Cecile has long been in public service and has a history of working within the community for over 40 years. She has served on several boards, and holds membership with several organizations, most notably Long Beach Central Area Association, Leadership Long Beach, NAACP Long Beach Branch, Black Student Union Elders Association – California State University at Long Beach, National Ambassador - American Business Women’s Association, Long Beach Black Managers Association, and Long Beach Midnight Basketball League known today as Hoops after Dark. She is currently an advisor to the Historical Society of Long Beach. Awards and recognitions received to name a few are from Mayor Rex Richardson, the American Business Women’s Association Top Ten, the NAACP President Award, the Black Business and Professional Association Humanitarian Award, and Assembly member Mike Gipson’s Community Service Award.

Cecile’s passions are health and physical fitness, completed 19 Long Beach Half Marathons, community service, lifelong learning, biking, sewing, crocheting, travel, and relaxation. Cecile is a cancer thriver and is a mentor with the Women Guiding Women: Cancer Support and Education with MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute in Long Beach. As an alumnus of California State University, Long Beach, and a cancer thriver, she was the PLAY4KAY Cancer Survivor Honoree through Long Beach State Athletic Department. Cecile aims to bring awareness to individuals, families, and businesses to access affordable legal options and develop their estate plans, building a family legacy. Cecile is most proud of her two sons Eddie and LeLand, four grandsons Silas, Nicholas, Jackson, Kingston, and two grandpups Trooper and Sheldon.