Public Advocate Shane Harris to Unveil Willie Morrow Way in Encanto on October 9, After Years of Advocacy

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​​​By The S Harris Communications News Wire

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SAN DIEGO, CA — On Thursday, October 9, 2025, San Diego Public Advocate Shane Harris will appear in Encanto to unveil the newly designated “Willie Morrow Way” and officially sign the street naming into law, following the San Diego City Council’s recent approval of the proposal. The ceremony, scheduled for 12:00 PM near 6333 Tooley Street, will honor Willie Lee Morrow, the late barber, inventor, publisher, and entrepreneur whose influence helped shape San Diego’s Black community and the national Black hair care industry.

 

 

Harris’s 2022 Proposal Sparked the Movement

 

The naming of Willie Morrow Way marks the culmination of a three-year effort first launched by Shane Harris in 2022, shortly after Morrow’s passing. Harris, a longtime civil rights advocate and president of the People’s Association of Justice Advocates (PAJ), publicly announced his proposal that year to rename a portion of Tooley Street in Encanto as Willie Morrow Way. Harris organized a press conference in front of one of Morrow’s former business properties to highlight the importance of permanently honoring Morrow’s legacy. He called the street naming a way to “ensure future generations know who Willie Morrow was — a man who built, innovated, and opened doors for thousands.” Since then, Harris has worked with city staff, residents, and elected officials to shepherd the proposal through the city’s naming process. His persistence and public advocacy helped lay the groundwork for what became an official action item before the City Council this year.

 

 

Cheryl Morrow’s Early Support and Family Legacy

 

Cheryl Morrow, the oldest living child of Willie Morrow, was one of the earliest and strongest supporters of Harris’s 2022 proposal. Standing alongside Harris at his initial press event, Cheryl expressed deep gratitude for the effort and described the renaming as more than symbolic — a testament to her father’s life work. “When people drive down Willie Morrow Way, they’ll remember what it takes to build, to give, and to lead,” Cheryl said. “My father loved this community, and this street will serve as a path for others to follow.” Cheryl continues to lead the preservation of her father’s legacy, overseeing several of his ventures — including the San Diego Monitor newspaper and the cultural preservation of his pioneering contributions to Black entrepreneurship and hair care innovation.

 

 

Councilmember Henry Foster’s Leadership and Partnership

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The proposal gained decisive momentum in 2024 when San Diego City Councilmember Henry Foster, who represents the Encanto area, brought Harris’s street naming proposal before the City Council. Foster championed the measure and worked closely with both Harris and the Morrow family to ensure its successful passage. “Willie Morrow’s story is part of San Diego’s story,” Councilmember Foster said. “This street naming honors not just a man, but a movement of empowerment, education, and self-determination in our city’s Black community.” Foster will join Harris and Cheryl Morrow on October 9 for the official unveiling and signing ceremony, where the new Willie Morrow Way sign will be revealed to the public for the first time.

 

 

Honoring a Local Legend & Global Pioneer 

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Willie Morrow, who passed away in 2022, was a self-made innovator and cultural leader. He created the Afro pick comb and the California Curl, trained barbers for the U.S. military, and became a media trailblazer through his ownership of radio stations and the San Diego Monitor. His influence reached far beyond Encanto — but it was there that his journey began. The dedication of Willie Morrow Way now permanently anchors his name in the community he helped build. “This is a full-circle moment,” Harris said. “Willie Morrow gave his life to empowering people — and now, his name will live on in the heart of Encanto, inspiring the next generation to do the same.”

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