NC highway named for Durham activist Dr. Andrea Harris

A segment of Interstate 85 in Warren and Vance counties was named Friday for Dr. Andrea Harris, a community activist and trailblazer for small businesses in Durham.

The stretch of I-85 from Exit 220 to the Vance-Warren line is now known as the Andrea L. Harris Highway.

Friday's ceremony, hosted by the state Department of Transportation, was held in the auditorium at the State Archives building.

According to the state, Harris fought poverty across rural North Carolina communities, co-founding the Durham-based N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development in 1986 to support minority and women-owned businesses and later serving as president in 1990.

After retiring, Harris served on several boars, including the state's Advisory Council for Historically Underutilized Businesses.

Harris also received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest award granted by the governor.