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 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. Commissioner Harris 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. On June 29, 2022, the Chicago Housing Authority dedicated a Senior Building to Commissioner Harris. This building is in the Woodlawn Community and is now known as the Dr. Mildred C. Harris Apartments.
Commissioner Harris received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois. She holds three Masters of Arts Degrees: a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University in New York City; a Master's Degree in Human Development from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois; a Master's Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois 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. She is a member of the Chicago Art Institute. Additionally, she has completed studies in Real Estate Management. As a former board member at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois; She raised funds to establish the School of Pharmacy.
Dr. Harris served on the Advisory Board for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and in 2010 was appointed to the Presidential Rank Review Board for President Barack Obama. Presently she serves on the Advisory Council for Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and sits on the Women’s Board of the Goodman Theatre. She is a life member of the National Council of Negro Women, Platinum member of Chicago Illinois Links Incorporated and is a member of the Union League Club of Chicago.
Dr. Harris is the author of several religious books, has hosted her own television and radio programs and has organized prayer vigils as she one of the Speakers for the Chicago September 11th Remembrance. Dr. Harris 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.
She received the 1999 National Council of Negro Women and Aunt Jemima Brands – Community Leader of the Year Award and the 2005 Jefferson Award from NBC 5 Chicago. Dr. Harris 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. She received the 2013 UNCF Legacy Award, the 2015 DuSable Museum Dr. Margaret Burroughs Legacy Award and the 2016 Intercession for Chicago Leadership Award sponsored by the Chicago Prays Executive Board.
In March 2018, Dr. Harris received the “Top 20 Global Women of Excellence Award” from the 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 is the recipient of the 2019 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by the Marquis Who’s Who Publication Board. In addition, Dr. Harris received the 2020 City of Chicago Champion of Freedom Award from The Honorable Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor, City of Chicago. In 2021, She received the Community Policing Living Legend Award from the 003rd District Commander Roderick S. Watson.
An explorer and world traveler, Dr. Harris has taken a journey to all the Continents of the World.