12/11/2025 – (Panelist) CAN-TV “Chicago Newsroom 2.0”: City Fight, City Wins and the 2025 Year-in-Review
On the fall season finale of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, hosts Darrious Hilmon and Hugo Balta tackle the issues that matter most to Chicago. From hemp sales bans and teen curfews to the fight over Chicago Housing Authority leadership—our roundtable breaks it down. Plus, a groundbreaking blueprint for Black men’s equity, Friend Health’s new Back of the Yards facility, the latest Inside Oversight report, and Crain’s notable Black leaders reflect on the year that was.
12/10/2025 – Property tax relief press conference
Kelwin Harris participates in Cook County Assessor’s Office press conference urging legislators to pass property tax relief for homeowners facing record tax bill increases in Chicago. These tax bill spikes, which have hit the city’s Black and Latino neighborhoods the hardest, are driven by commissioners at the Cook County Board of Review reducing the value of large commercial properties, shifting the property tax burden onto homeowners.
10/8/2025 – (Moderator) The Black Tax with Tonika Lewis Johnson and Andrew Kahrl (National Public Housing Museum)
The National Public Housing Museum, in partnership with the Cook County Assessor’s Office’s Racial Equity and Real Estate Conversations, presents historian Andrew W. Kahrl (author of The Black Tax: 150 Years of Theft, Exploitation, and Dispossession in America) and social justice artist Tonika Lewis Johnson (2021–2022 Artist as Instigator at the National Public Housing Museum and co-author of Don’t Go: Stories of Segregation and How to Disrupt It), in conversation about the history of racist and predatory real estate practices and their devastating impact on Chicago’s most vulnerable communities.
Shining a light on Land Sale Contracts, overtaxation, state laws allowing the sale of unpaid tax debts to private investors, and more, Kahrl and Johnson expose this devastating history and share the stories of the fierce organizers and activists who battled against corruption, and lessons of past struggles that remain relevant to us today.
Moderated by Kelwin Harris, Cook County Assessor’s Office, and featuring closing remarks by Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi.
10/4/2025 – (Speaker) TEDxArlington Heights Conference
4/24/2025 – (Panelist) CAN-TV “Chicago Newsroom 2.0” Constitutional Crisis?
On the latest episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest host Darrious Hilmon sits with Sufyan Sohel and Swathi Staley to discuss how non-profits are bracing for closer scrutiny from the Trump administration. Notable leaders Christa Hamilton, Kelwin Harris, and Monica Woodson share how they are leading their organizations with intention during these incredibly turbulent times. Plus, a one-on-one conversation with Borderless Magazine’s Hillary Flores about the Trump administration’s refusal to return US citizen Abrego Garcia to American soil. And a deep dive into organizational effectiveness with Christine Leung and Stephen McClain from reCentered Partners.
12/19/2024 – (Featured Speaker) C3 Impact Exchange: Demystifying Property Tax
12/18/2024 – (Panelist) CAN-TV “Chicago Newsroom 2.0” 2024: The Year in Review
On this edition of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest host Darrious Hilmon sits at the roundtable with Juatise Gathings, Dr. Gwendolyn Oglesby-Odom, Kelwin Harris, and Christa Hamilton to discuss the year in review. Plus, Darrious sits in conversation with 4th Ward alderman Lamont Robinson to discuss the city’s newly approved budget, and Mike Shaver, CEO of Brightpoint, to discuss his organization’s ongoing work.
11/6/2024 – (Panelist) CAN-TV “Chicago Newsroom 2.0” Election 2024 Live Post-Election Analysis
Recorded Live, Hugo Balta and Andy Zopp host a special post-election edition of Chicago Politics featuring conversations with local political, civic, and community leaders.
10/27/2024 – (Panelist) CAN-TV Newsroom 2.0 “Lessons in Leadership” episode
On this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest host Darrious Hilmon talks with four of Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Black Leaders for 2024, Juatise Gathings, Dr. Gwendolyn Oglesby-Odom, Kimberley Rudd, and Kelwin Harris. Plus, one-on-one conversations with Consul General of Canada, Madeleine Féquière and Chief Counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy, Colonel James Durant.
9/23/2024 – Crains Chicago Business 2024 Notable Black Leaders Honoree
The 100+ people honored in Crain’s Notable Black Leaders represent all industries and communities: C-suite executives and investors handling multimillion-dollar budgets and billion-dollar deals, advisers helping our neighbors pursue higher education and secure social services, attorneys leading law firms and advocates leading the way toward change. From magnates to mentors, they’re working to enrich their companies, our communities and our city.
9/18/2024 – (Moderator) Bisnow “South of Roosevelt” panel
A commercial real estate and community development event covering the people, places, and projects shaping Chicago’s south side.
Read Story: For Some Chicago Projects, Building A Capital Stack Is Like Cooking Lasagna
9/10/2024 – (Interview) CBS News Chicago – Presidential debate watch parties turn out enthusiastic crowds in Chicago
8/21/2024 – (Moderator) Chicago Council on Global Affairs – A Diversity of Opinion: Race, Age and US Foreign Policy
A conversation with experts unpacking a report from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and New America that examines how race and age play into public opinion on global issues. This was a part of a program during the week of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Speakers
- Christopher Shell, Fellow, American Statecraft Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Candace Rondeaux, Senior Director, Future Frontlines and Planetary Politics, New America
- Lama El Baz, Research Assistant, Public Opinion and US Foreign Policy
- Kelwin Harris, Chief Civic Engagement Officer, Deputy Assessor, Cook County Assessor’s Office
11/20/2023 – Chicago Council on Global Affairs Announces 2024 Emerging Leaders Class
8/25/2023 – Daily Herald – Leadership Greater Chicago Announces Class of 2024
4/14/2023 – (Moderator) HUD & Cook County Assessor’s Office: Seeking Equity in Property Assessment, Appraisal & Valuation
On April 13, 2023, the Cook County Assessor’s Office in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Midwest Regional Office, hosted a Fair Housing Month Event that focused on “Seeking Equity in Property Assessment, Appraisal & Valuation.” This event brought together leaders in the field of housing, academia, research, and local government on a collective mission on how we can further address inequities in American homeownership.
6/30/2022 – (Moderator) Cook County Assessor’s Office, Racial Equity and Real Estate Conversation: Closing The Racial Gap in Property Appraisals
Why are appraisals for Black and White homeowners not always the same? Why do Black neighborhoods benefit from far less lending activity than White neighborhoods? Our expert panelists will explore these and other questions while looking at solutions to address these challenges.
Panelists:
- Andre M. Perry, Senior Fellow, Brookings, and Author, Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities
- Alden Loury, Senior Editor – Race, Class, and Communities, WBEZ
- James Erik Smith, Secretary, Appraisal Institute
- Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor (moderator)
- Kelwin Harris, Director of Outreach, Cook County Assessor’s Office
3/11/2022 – (Moderator) Cook County Assessor’s Office, Racial Equity and Real Estate Conversation with Sherman “Dilla” Thomas
In the most recent edition of Racial Equity and Real Estate Conversations, Assessor Fritz Kaegi has a candid conversation that focuses on historical connections to the work of property tax reform and the challenges and opportunities of getting it right. Chicago’s renowned TikTok urban historian, Shermann “Dilla” Thomas helps unpack themes such as addressing the racial wealth gap, disparities in homeownership, and how to keep people of color from leaving Cook County.
Panelists:
- Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor
- Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, Chicago Urban Historian
- Kelwin Harris, Director of Outreach, Cook County Assessor’s Office
2/22/2021 – (Keynote) Mount Prospect Public Library program
1/1/2020 – Chicago Urban League Class of 2020 Announcement
12/19/2019 – (Podcast) American Planning Association, “People Behind the Plans: Kelwin Harrris”
* 8/28/2019 – (Interview) The Francis W. Parker School, Alumni Q & A, Kelwin Harris `95
* 7/11/2019 – Daily Southtown, Slowik: The loss of anchor institutions can create opportunities for towns, planners say
6/5/2019 – (Moderator) What Does Inclusive Growth Mean in the Chicago Region (The RSA)
* 4/22/2016 – Urban Land Institute Chicago, ULI Members Provide Feedback on CMAP’s ON TO 2050 Regional Plan
7/14/2015 – LISC Chicago, St. Sabina Employment Resource Center
* 7/1/2014 – The Chicago Tribune, Chicago violence continues to outpace NYC, LA,
* 6/16/2014 – The Chicago Reader, This week’s Chicagoan: DJ and former assistant to the Mayor
* March/April 2010 – Cornell Alumni Magazine, Great Expectations, Kelwin Harris ’99
* 4/13/2009 – The Chicago Tribune, Taste of Ivy can keep students dreams from withering by Dawn Turner Trice
Other media and speaking appearances
Kelwin's Big Ideas 