Krystal R. Harris
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Internal Auditor | Compliance & Risk Management | Governmental Operations | Specialized in Financial Controls & Process Improvement
05/08/2026
🌷 Looking forward to spending time with the community this weekend at the 78th Annual Tulip Festival in Washington Park! 🌷
From live music and dance to wellness activities and local culture, this event is one of Albany’s most cherished traditions. I’m especially grateful to see wellness and mental health awareness being highlighted through the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention Wellness Stage. 💙
📍Washington Park, Albany NY
🗓 Saturday, May 9 & Sunday, May 10
⏰ 11AM–6PM
🎟 FREE & All Ages
Hope to see everyone out enjoying the beautiful weather, supporting local organizations, and celebrating our city together! 🌷✨
04/11/2026
Black Maternal Health Week 🖤✨
There is nothing more powerful than bringing life into this world and nothing more sacred than protecting it.
Black mothers are strong and resilient…
They are everything and deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for every step of the way.
I’m proud to be a mother. I’m grateful for my babies. And I stand for every Black mama. 💕
Because Black maternal health matters. Always. 🖤✨
01/13/2026
📣 Important Step Forward on Youth Safety!
Albany County is launching “Not a Number”
A free, youth-centered program focused on preventing human trafficking and exploitation. Starts Jan 20th at the Delaware Branch Library. Open to teens 12+.
I’m encouraged to see local leadership taking steps to protect our youth. Let’s continue building on this momentum to reach even more of our young people. 💜
Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking is a crime that often hides in plain sight, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities, including locally. The Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center (CVSVC) continues to serve as a valuable resource for the community with several upcoming events aimed at raising awareness and providing education. Starting January 20th, 2026, we will be holding “Not a Number” prevention groups at the Delaware branch library every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm. This is an interactive, youth-centered program that helps young people recognize and protect themselves from exploitative situations. The goal is to build confidence and work on boundaries and healthy connections. It is open to all youth in the community ages 12+.
12/22/2025
A masterpiece by my favorite little artist. 🎨💗
Motherhood is the greatest mirror…
10/22/2025
Albany — we need to stay alert‼️
Over the past year, too many of our youth have gone missing. Just two were found safe. Many have not returned home.
📈This isn’t just a list. These are our children.
The chart below shows the names, ages, and dates each was reported missing from August 2024 to October 2025.
This isn’t about placing blame. It’s about remembering their names.
Please:
• Protect our youth.
• Keep your eyes open.
• Stay engaged.
• Keep pushing for accountability.
Every single child matters.
None of them should be forgotten.
🟥 = Still Missing
🟩 = Found Safe
https://cbs6albany.com/news/missing-persons/cohoes-police-seek-help-in-locating-missing-14-year-old-girl
It feels unsettling to me that just last week I shared a reflection about back-to-school season and my own time in Catholic school, and now I’m seeing the heartbreaking news out of Minneapolis.
My heart is so heavy for the children, families, and community impacted by this tragedy.
Moments like this remind me of the importance of cherishing our loved ones, protecting our children, and working toward a world where schools can be places of safety and growth.
Prayers, love, and strength to everyone grieving right now. 💔
08/18/2025
📚✏️Back-to-school season always brings back memories! Especially this one from the 3rd grade. 3️⃣0️⃣ years ago! 👵🏽
It wasn’t just about uniforms and morning prayers. It was the structure, compassion, and a foundation of values I still carry today.
So much of who I am was shaped during those early years. I’m forever grateful that my parents made the sacrifices they did to make it possible.
To every parent making hard choices and sacrifices this school year… your efforts plant seeds that will bloom for a lifetime. 🌱✨🌸
08/04/2025
🌟 Advocacy Portfolio: What We Achieved Together
Reflecting on key moments in my advocacy journey, I’m proud to share impactful work that continues to inform and inspire my ongoing engagement for systemic change:
📌 Albany Schools Misused Time‑Out Practices (2023)
An investigative report uncovered how the Albany City School District improperly used “reset rooms” and stranger seating restraints on students with disabilities. I filed a formal complaint and stood with affected families to demand accountability and a compliance plan.
URL: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/albany-schools-skirted-state-rules-time-students-18088299.php
📌 New York’s Updated School Rules (2023)
The Times Union spotlighted the Board of Regents’ decision to ban prone restraints, prohibit seclusion in schools, and tighten reporting and training on timeout use.
My advocacy included supporting policy development, and working through Disability Rights networks to elevate the need for reform.
URL: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/new-york-passes-new-rules-restraint-seclusion-18200655.php
📌 Lakeside Road Closure in Washington Park (2024)
As part of a neighborhood safety initiative, the community was granted a permanent closure of Lakeside Road to improve pedestrian access and preserve public space. I was featured as public input on the civic planning collaboration to make this change possible.
URL: https://www.news10.com/video/lakeside-road-permanently-closes-in-washington-park/9648703/
⸻
Why These Matter:
These aren’t just past stories. They’re apart of a foundation that guides my current advocacy focus on school safety, disability inclusion, and equitable community infrastructure.
The work continues. Every policy shift starts with someone speaking up and I remain committed to standing up for access, dignity, and protection for all Albany residents.
State passes new rules on restraint and seclusion in school The regulations ban prone restraints and seclusion and make corporal punishment illegal...
07/09/2025
📣 Community Meeting on Gun Violence 🕊️
Tonight, I spoke during public comment at the Albany Common Council meeting to address the urgent need for community-based solutions to youth violence in our city. As I said during my remarks:“We must do more than reflect. We must act.” Prevention starts with education, investment in youth and families. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, speak out, and push for change. We all have a role to play in creating a safer, more hopeful Albany.
July 7th, 2025
To the City of Albany Common Council:
I originally wrote this letter on March 28th with the intention of bringing it before you, but at the time, I held my peace.
Today, I can no longer stay silent.
One of the main reasons I became a candidate for the Common Council in the 13th Ward is because I began to see a troubling pattern.
One I could not ignore involving the safety of our children, especially our adolescents.
Not long ago, two children drowned in our very own Washington Park Lake. A few weeks later, a 15-year-old boy disappeared. Eight days after that, a 15-year-old girl vanished. Shortly after, two other 15-year-old boys were arrested in connection with an alleged murder.
As an analyst, I see the pattern. As a resident, I feel the pain. And as a member of this community, I am deeply concerned.
Our children are perishing.
It’s now July 7th. Since I first wrote this letter, the violence has only worsened. Over the Fourth of July weekend, ten people were shot and children were involved in these incidents.
Recently, I attended an AVILLAGE community meeting and can personally attest to the Albany Police Department’s willingness to be a part of creating solutions.
I sat and observed as Chief Cox, along with his officers and staff, stood before community members and sincerely answered questions and concerns regarding the relationship between law enforcement and residents.
But we cannot leave this work solely to the police.
We must do more than reflect. We must act.
There is an opportunity to educate the public and it begins in our schools. Even reintroducing a program like D.A.R.E. could help educate both children and families about violence prevention and community safety.
It may not be a perfect solution, but it’s a start.
We have to start somewhere.
I urge you, as our city’s leaders, to work with other sectors to put meaningful, preventative programs into place.
Thank you for your time and thank you to the residents of Albany for your strength, and resilience.
We cannot lose hope.
05/31/2025
Despite the rain this morning, Katalina and I made it to the LGBTQIA+ Resource and Empowerment Fair and we’re so glad we did! 🌈💖 She had an amazing time, picked up some fun goodies, and even got to meet Congressman Paul D. Tonko! 🏛️✨ Grateful for events like these that celebrate community, inclusion, and connection. Thank you to everyone who made today possible!
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