Encouragement Unlimited, Inc.
Biography for John Leonard Harris

John Leonard Harris is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Dramatic Arts. He is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For nearly eight years, Mr. Harris served as the Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In August, 1998, Mr. Harris resigned his administrative position to follow his heart and a call to make a greater contribution with his life. For nearly four years, he worked with a local Christian ministry serving as a mentor, advocate, and friend for middle and high school age boys.

In 1994, Mr. Harris founded Harris Consulting Services to provide quality educational, cultural, and motivational programs to corporate, educational, religious, and community organization across the country.

In 2002, Mr. Harris founded Encouragement Unlimited, Inc., a nonprofit organization to provide educational, motivational, and relational programs for low-income, at-risk, and otherwise disadvantaged populations.

Mr. Harris is an award-winning writer, poet, and speaker. In 1993 his article, "The Portrayal of the Black Family in Prime-Time Network Television", published in the Journal of Intergroup Relations, won the first-ever "Article of the Year" award from the National Association of Human Rights Workers. He has written several important papers and articles on issues related to race, media, gender, racial identity, and cultural diversity.

Mr Harris is an active member of Christ's Place Church in Lincoln where he works with a variety of church ministries (worship, evangelism, and social ministries). He is a frequent speaker at Christian men's and youth events. Mr. Harris has been married to his wife, Charlene, for seventeen years and has four children, Preston, Shannon, JoAnna, and John Jr.

From left to right, John, Shannon, John Jr., Preston, JoAnna, and Charlene.