Black PR Wire Power Profiler on Kenneth L. Harris

Born and raised in the City of Detroit, Kenneth L. Harris is the Founder, President and CEO of the International Detroit Black Expo, Inc., an economic empowerment agent for African-American businesses in the State of Michigan. Over the last few years, the nonprofit organization has grown exponentially to more than 20,000 African-American business members across Michigan providing a stronghold in the community.

It is his affable demeanor, motivating spirit coupled with business savvy and his continuous remembrance of his ancestors’ struggle that has given Harris the wings to successfully improve the culture of entrepreneurship in Metro Detroit. His most significant organizational success to date is the fruition of the Buy Black Weekend, a three-day marketplace exposition for Metro Detroit families and business community held Memorial weekend at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit that attracted more than 76,000 attendees and 714 national exhibits.

Kenneth has made tremendous landmarks and professional accomplishments at the young age of 32 such as the first African-American Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Southfield and the first African-American Director of Greek Affairs at Wayne State University. Additionally, he is the first African-American Counseling Psychologist at Nolan Middle school through St. John School-Based Health Centers and is currently the first African-American Director of Minority Business Development and Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, Inc.

Kenneth also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Michigan Center for Fair Housing, the Ira Newble Foundation, the Derrick Coleman Foundation and the NAACP – Detroit Branch. He is an active life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masonry, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few.

Recently, Kenneth L. Harris received the U.S. Small Business Minority Business Advocate of the Year award, is listed in Who’s Who in Black Detroit and inducted into Crain’s Detroit Business 2007 40 under 40. He also hosts 2007 The Bottom Line radio talk show weekly on Radio One WCHB 1200 AM in Detroit, while also receiving the 2008 Michigan Women’s Marketplace Outstanding Achiever Award.

Kenneth has received numerous accolades. He graduated with a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling Psychology both from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Bernelli University in Alexandria, Virginia majoring in International Business and Entrepreneurship Studies.

Kenneth’s mission is to forge a new generation of entrepreneurs throughout the region, while focusing on the economic empowerment of African Americans world-wide.