Executive Director Carrie Harris is an Indiana Hoosier -- born and raised in Indianapolis, product of the Indianapolis Public School System (IPS), a graduate of Crispus Attucks High School. As a student in the seventh grade, she experienced being moved out of her IPS school to a predominately white IPS school, under the de-segregation order by Judge H. Hue Dillon in 1973.

Carrie was a member of the Crispus Attucks Indiana High School Athletic Association state final four volleyball team in 1975. (This historic female team lost to a new state allowed co-ed team.)  She was one of the first students selected to participate in the Center for Leadership Development program. 

Carrie is married to Nathan Harris (for 34 years) - also an Indiana Hoosier, born and raised in Indianapolis -- product of IPS and graduate of Arsenal Technical high School.  Carrie and Nate have four children and six grandchildren. Carrie

attended Purdue University, majoring in Biology but finishing at IUPUI in the school of Continuing Studies -- majoring in Supervision.  She then went back to school, after raising and educating the four children –- to complete her master's degree in Secondary Education. 

Carrie - Enjoys the opportunities that God gives her to share and serve. Carrie believes that we must give back to help give others an opportunity to live quality lives. “There were so many people who gave to me, so I must do all I can to give to others”, also “To whom much is given much is required.” 

Carrie’s efforts in Indianapolis includes services to both profit and nonprofit organizations. Her experience gained equips her with key instincts and skills needed to effectively serve the students and families targeted by WKI. Her work includes contributions to family services, youth services, student services, and community service organizations:

FAMILY SERVICES

Siloam Health Care Center

Broadway United Methodist Church

Purdue Cooperative Extension

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis

YOUTH SERVICES

Summer Youth Program

Outreach Coordinator for Division of Diversity

Indiana University School of Medicine (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

WESTAT: NEAP – National Education Assessment for Progress

STUDENT SERVICES   

Pike Township Schools

Assistant volleyball coach - Arsenal Technical High School

Current assistant volleyball coach - Crispus Attucks High School

     

Founder Nathan (Nate) Harris -- Ph. D. candidate at Indiana State University). Nate's research focus -- "the attitudes that black male students rely on to successfully attain a four-year degree". For over seven years Nate was the IUPUI Project Director for Upward Bound - a US Dept of Education funded program designed to provide college readiness services to high school students who are low-income and potential first-generation college graduates. His volunteer service includes Parents Across America (public school advocacy), and 100 Black Men Team Mentoring in the Indianapolis Public Schools System.