Legacy in Motion: Shane Harris and S Harris Communications Acquire the San Diego Monitor — A New Era for a Historic Voice

Shane Harris, President and CEO of S. Harris Communications, and Cheryl Morrow, outgoing publisher of the San Diego Monitor Newspaper and Business Journal, pose together following the official transfer of ownership. The two media figures mark a historic moment in San Diego’s Black press legacy — the passing of the baton from the Morrow family’s pioneering leadership to Harris’s next-generation media powerhouse.

Powerhouse policy strategist, entrepreneur, and media innovator Shane Harris takes the helm of the San Diego Monitor Newspaper and Business Journal, carrying forward the legacy of founder Willie Morrow with a bold new vision.

By Staff Writer, The San Diego Monitor Newspaper & Business Journal

If there’s one thing Shane Harris has built his reputation on, it’s getting things done. As a policy strategist, entrepreneur, and media powerhouse, Harris has spent his career turning advocacy into action and ideas into institutions. Now, the founder of S. Harris Communications is expanding his reach once more — this time by acquiring one of San Diego’s most historic and culturally significant media voices, the San Diego Monitor Newspaper and Business Journal. The acquisition represents more than a business transaction; it’s a generational handoff — from Cheryl Morrow, daughter of the late Willie Morrow, to a new visionary leader determined to carry the legacy forward into the modern era of multimedia storytelling.

“This moment is about bridging eras,” Harris said. “The Monitor has always been a voice for truth, and now we’re amplifying that voice across every modern medium — print, digital, audio, video, and policy impact. We’re not just reporting the story; we’re shaping the conversation.”

From Policy to Power: The Rise of a Media Architect

Harris is no stranger to influence. Known nationally as a policy strategist and public affairs leader, he has spent years shaping discussions around civil rights, equity, and community development. Through S. Harris Communications, he has built an empire that merges strategic communications, digital media, and advocacy — producing campaigns and stories that inspire impact and mobilize communities. He’s been called a “media architect” — someone who doesn’t just build platforms, but builds movements. His work has made him one of San Diego’s most dynamic figures, a connector between civic leadership and media storytelling.

Shane Harris, President and CEO of S. Harris Communications, stands confidently amid lush greenery in San Diego. Dressed in a tailored green pinstripe suit and signature red glasses, Harris embodies modern leadership and creative flair as he ushers the San Diego Monitor Newspaper and Business Journal into a bold new era.

“For me, media isn’t just about coverage — it’s about change,” Harris said. “If we’re not informing to transform, we’re missing the point.”

Honoring a Vision: From Willie to Cheryl to Shane

The San Diego Monitor Newspaper was founded in 1986 by Willie Morrow, a visionary publisher, inventor, and barber who believed deeply in the power of representation. In an era when mainstream media rarely reflected the voices of San Diego’s Black community, Morrow created a space that documented history, celebrated excellence, and challenged injustice. Two years later, in 1988, Morrow secured the Monitor’s adjudication, an official state recognition that elevated it from community publication to legally recognized newspaper of record. This allowed the paper to publish public and legal notices — establishing its credibility and permanence.

“My father didn’t just build a paper — he built an institution,” said Cheryl Morrow, who succeeded her father as publisher after his passing. “He understood the power of being an adjudicated paper. It meant our stories and our name stood as official truth — not just commentary.”

Shane Harris, President and CEO of S. Harris Communications, and Cheryl Morrow, outgoing publisher of the San Diego Monitor Newspaper and Business Journal, share a moment of camaraderie following the paper’s acquisition. The two sit together in a symbolic pose — a modern passing of the baton from legacy to next-generation leadership.

Cheryl’s Digital Leap and the Monitor’s Survival

When Cheryl took leadership, she inherited not only her father’s legacy but the challenges of a changing media landscape. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, she boldly transitioned the Monitor into digital formats, ensuring the publication could continue reaching readers even as print distribution waned.

“Moving digital was both a necessity and a vision,” Cheryl reflected. “But I always knew the right person would one day come along to grow what we built — someone who could merge innovation with legacy. Shane is that person.”

The Harris Blueprint: Expanding Media, Restoring Presence

Under the banner of S. Harris Communications, the Monitor is entering a new phase — one that merges the best of its historic credibility with the dynamism of modern multimedia. Harris plans to revive the Monitor’s tabloid edition, returning printed papers to local barbershops, cafés, and community spaces, while simultaneously expanding the publication’s digital presence through podcasts, streaming media, and social platforms.

“Print isn’t dead — it just needs purpose,” Harris said. “The Monitor belongs in people’s hands, on their phones, and in their hearts. We’re building a multi-platform experience that honors the past while speaking to the future.”

The Power of Adjudication in the Digital Age

In a world where news spreads fast but credibility spreads thin, the Monitor’s adjudicated status remains a defining distinction. Adjudicated newspapers are authorized by the courts to publish legal and civic notices — a recognition that carries trust and authority.

“Today, everyone’s a publisher, but not everyone’s accountable,” Harris explained. “Adjudicated papers are official — verified, enduring, and rooted in law. That’s what makes the Monitor special. We’re building the future on a foundation of trust.”

The 40th Anniversary and a Star-Studded Celebration

Looking ahead, Harris is already planning for a milestone moment: the 40th anniversary of the Monitor’s adjudication, which falls on April 18, 2026. To mark the occasion, S. Harris Communications will host a star-studded anniversary gala, celebrating the Monitor’s four decades of community service, journalistic integrity, and cultural influence.

“We’re going to celebrate in a way that honors our history and ignites our future,” Harris said. “It will be more than an event — it will be a statement: that the Monitor is alive, evolving, and unstoppable.”

A Baton Passed, A Legacy Reborn

For Cheryl Morrow, passing the baton to Harris represents both closure and continuation.

“When I see Shane stepping into this role, I see my father’s dream fulfilled,” she said. “This isn’t just about ownership — it’s about stewardship. Shane is carrying forward a mission that began in 1986, and he’s doing it with power and purpose.”

And for Shane Harris, it’s not just business — it’s legacy work.

“Willie Morrow lit the torch. Cheryl kept it burning,” Harris said. “Now, I’m honored to carry it forward — brighter, bolder, and stronger. The Monitor’s next 40 years will define what modern Black media can truly be.”