Christian Harris

Christian Harris is a Chicago-based keynote speaker, coach, and consultant specializing in racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. With a background in entrepreneurship and community activism, Harris brings more than 15 years of experience to his work in advancing social justice and building equitable organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a focus in Entrepreneurship from Bradley University and began his professional career by founding MS Clean and Sons LLC, a cleaning service in the Chicagoland area that expanded to over 10 staff and 150 monthly clients.

Harris has served as a senior consultant with OVP Management Consulting Group, collaborating with organizations such as the California Department of Public Health and the Delaware Department of Labor. He has provided coaching to social justice-focused organizations, supporting leaders in leveraging their strengths to drive organizational change. As finance officer on the Oak Park Public Library Board, Harris managed a $10 million budget and led the library's first anti-racism strategic plan. He has also held leadership positions as West Side Regional Field Organizing Director for the Chicago mayoral campaign of Brandon Johnson and as director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and operations for DM Burton LLC.

Harris co-founded Walk the Walk, a group dedicated to anti-gentrification, housing advocacy, community bridging, and reparations. This work led to the launch of the Oak Park Reparations Task Force, which has played a central role in advancing reparative justice initiatives in Oak Park and neighboring communities. Harris has participated in demonstrations with Black Youth Project 100, The People's Lobby, and the Oak Park Women's Planned Parenthood march.

Harris founded Kindred Keynotes and Coaching, which supports nonprofit, philanthropic, and social impact leaders in translating equity values into strategy, organizational culture, and leadership development. The organization offers keynote speeches on topics such as Black American heritage, community advocacy, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), authenticity coaching, and consulting with a focus on reparative justice for governments, nonprofits, and businesses. His keynote presentations include "The ABC's of DEI," "What is Implicit/Unconscious Bias?" and "Defining Reparative Justice for the 21st Century."

Harris draws on personal family history in his work, including the story of his ancestor Fountain Blackwell, who was born enslaved in Virginia and later participated in the first election following emancipation. This history informs Harris's keynote presentations, which explore Black American history, personal experience, and the pursuit of equity and healing.