Kelwin Harris
Executive Director 

Kelwin is a vibrant young leader with both excellent academic credentials and extensive work experience.  His contribution will greatly enhance our organization and take us to the next level of success. Kelwin is a graduate of Cornell and Harvard University and a former Assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.  He served as chief liaison to Mayor Daley for the Chicago Housing Authority’s Plan for Transformation in addition to managing a host of other city departments and development projects.  Kelwin has worked as an urban planner charged with modernizing dilapidated courthouses and state universities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and as an environmental impact consultant in West Los Angeles.  In addition, he worked on the expansion of campus housing and athletic facilities for Harvard’s planning and real estate entity.  Most recently, Kelwin founded an e-commerce company with a professor and investor at Harvard.

Kelwin has lived and studied in such world centers as: Rome, Paris, Milan, Madrid, and Shanghai, to name a few.  He is well-versed in the main ingredients that go into making communities successful.  His master planning analysis has been published by Harvard Design School Press, while some of his other work has been preserved in the archives of Cornell University.

Kelwin says, “As someone who grew up in the neighborhood, I personally understand both the abundant resources as well as the untapped potential in our community.  I am excited about the opportunity to make some long heartfelt dreams become a reality.  I look forward to working with anyone serious about taking the Auburn-Gresham community in a new direction”.