Christian Harris

Christian Harris is an accomplished public speaker who began captivating audiences at the age of nine, speaking at his school's Martin Luther King Jr assembly. He has since delivered powerful speeches at various events, including the Oak Park Public Library Kwanzaa Celebration and the Lutheran School of Theology's Black History Month program.

With a passion for community work, Harris has served on multiple boards, including the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce, the North Avenue District Board, and the Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly Board. He has ran for political office twice, winning once, securing one of four open seats in a competitive field of 10. Engaging in activism, he has participated in demonstrations with Black Youth Project 100, The People's Lobby, and the Oak Park Women Planned Parenthood march and more. Harris recently served as a consultant to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson during his campaign and transition. This role allowed him to contribute to initiatives designed to have a lasting impact on the city.

In 2020, Harris co-founded Walk the Walk, a group focused on anti-gentrification, housing, community bridging, and reparative justice. This grassroots movement has gained momentum and resulted in the launch of the Oak Park Reparations Task Force in 2021. The task force is driving the conversation on reparative justice in Oak Park and surrounding areas.

In 2023 Harris founded Kindred Keynotes and Coaching. KKC helps clients address personal and professional challenges with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ). Through coaching, consulting, and keynote speaking, they create a supportive environment where individuals can learn, refine their talents, and discover their true purpose. With the over all goal of fostering healing and restoration within individuals and communities.

Harris resides in Chicago with his wife Richelle and eagerly looks forward to raising a family soon.