Mildred Harris

As a commissioner, Dr. Harris has pioneered and contributed to various CHA-related efforts. She created the “Adopt-A-Senior Building” program, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to refurnish the sitting areas in more than 57 CHA senior buildings. As a result, CHA received an award lauding the program from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. Dr. Harris is Founder, President and CEO of God First Church and Ministries, which has contributed well over $50,000 in scholarships for CHA students. She has established a food pantry for CHA senior residents. She was first appointed to the CHA Board of Commissioners on July 7, 1999 and has since received four reappointments due to her exemplary leadership and continued commitment to CHA improvement.

Commissioner Harris received her B.A. Degree in Education from DePaul University. She holds three Master of Arts Degrees: a Master Degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University in New York City; a Master Degree in Human Development from Governors State University; a Master Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University and a Doctorate in Ministry with honors from the International Bible Institute and Seminary in Plymouth, Florida. Dr. Harris also holds two Honorary Doctorate Degrees. A member of the Chicago Art Institute she also studied there and uses her interior designing skills to provide services for communities at large. Additionally, she has completed studies in Real Estate Management.

Dr. Harris is the author of several religious books, has hosted her own television and radio programs and has organized vigils, concerts and marches. She was voted as one of Chicago's Leading Pastors in 2009 and she was voted into the City of Chicago Seniors Hall of Fame sponsored by the Department of Family Support Services. Dr. Harris received the National Council of Negro Women and Aunt Jemima Brands – Community Leader of the Year Award, the Jefferson Award from NBC 5 Chicago, the Unsung Heroine Award from Mitsubishi Motors, the 2015 DuSable Museum Dr. Margaret Burroughs Legacy Award and the 2016 Intercession for Chicago Leadership Award sponsored by the Chicago Prays Executive Board. She is the recipient of the 2019 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by the Marquis Who’s Who Publication Board.

She served on the Advisory Board for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; she presently serves on the Advisory Council for Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and in 2010 was appointed to the Presidential Rank Review Board for President Barack Obama; she sits on the Women’s Board of the Goodman Theatre and is a life member of the National Council of Negro Women.

Dr. Harris received the 2020 City of Chicago Champion of Freedom Award from Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. In March 2018, Dr. Harris received the “Top 20 Global Women of Excellence Award” from office of the Honorable Danny K. Davis, Congressman, Illinois 7th District as well as the Women in Ministry Award from the Honorable Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. She also received the State Plate Service Award from the Honorable Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State. She received the ASCAP Award from the Music Society of American Composers in New York City, New York for her musical rendition of Tribe of Judah En Danse.