The Blog

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, the founder and former CEO of It’s Time Texas, Dr. Baker Harrell, PhD, was inducted into the Kinesiology and Health Education (KHE) Hall of Honor at The University of Texas at Austin.

In order to qualify to be nominated and inducted into the Hall of Honor, inductees must demonstrate leadership, professional involvement, service, and/or academic research in the professional field related to physical activity and health. The Kinesiology and Health Education Hall of Honor recognizes the achievements and contributions of KHE faculty, former students, and friends to the department, as well as to the professional fields which support physical activity and healthy living.

Dr. Harrell has found and led multiple nonprofit organizations over his 15-year career in the social services sector. During this time, he has raised and managed more than $35 million in funding from federal and state agencies, corporations, grantmaking institutions, and individuals. He created strategic partnerships with some of the State’s leading agencies, organizations, and companies, including but not limited to: H-E-B, The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, The University of Texas System, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.

Inspired by his own childhood health journey, Dr. Harrell learned at a very young age that health is a gateway to a better life, and a culture of health in your family and community is vital to understanding the value and creation of a healthy environment. At just 11 years old, Dr. Harrell knew he wanted to serve others and create a positive change in people’s lives. He knew his personal and professional calling was to help others celebrate and practice health, and knew that in order to do so, he needed to understand social change and culture change.

Dr. Harrell is an alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his Master’s and doctoral degrees in Health Education. His transdisciplinary academic research focused on social change approaches to improve health, and it was out of this research, coupled with his personal experiences as an overweight child, that It’s Time Texas was born.

Dr. Harrell’s background and expertise in collective action, public health, and social marketing served as the basis of the founding of our nonprofit: It’s Time Texas. Founded in 2014, It’s Time Texas, whose mission is to bring people, communities, and organizations to take action that supports health for all, now and for generations to come, has become a recognized leader of the movement to establish a culture of health in Texas. Each year, It’s Time Texas empowers Texans to lead healthier lives, build healthier communities, and contribute to a healthier state.

Baker’s prior ventures in the public health arena have received the Best Practices Health and Fitness Award from the Texas Department of State Health Services and a Most Promising Initiative award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

In 2019, Dr. Amy McGeady succeeded Dr. Harrell as CEO of It’s Time Texas, though he has continued to work closely and support the organization.

We are so proud and honored to have our founder, Dr. Baker Harrell, PhD, be inducted into the Hall of Honor. It’s Time Texas continues to support his mission of building healthier lives and healthier communities throughout the state of Texas. Congratulations, Dr. Baker Harrell! You’ll always be part of the It’s Time Texas family!

This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Date Posted: 4/12/22