Harris receiving the Arts & Culture Legacy Award at the 2024 Salon 7 Legacy Awards Ceremony
in Washington, D.C.
Expertise
Khaleelah I. L. Harris is an arts, culture, and public history worker. She produces work based on her research areas of African American Cultural History, African American Women's Social Organizations, African American Religious & Political Thought, Religious Studies, Black American Aesthetics, African American Literary Arts, and more. In 2021, she received her M.A. in Religion from Yale University immediately following her B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Bethune-Cookman University in 2018.
​​Her Curatorial Vision focuses on themes of intimacy, interiority, and mobility within the context of radicalized and gendered bodies. As it relates to exhibition making, her intent is to connect visual Diasporic narratives with scholarship that investigates Diasporic experiences through the curation itself and programming. As both a Public Historian and Art Curator, her exhibitions are didactic in nature, combining visual art and history, and are often accompanied with curriculum that assists viewers in further investigating concepts/themes explored in the exhibitions.
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Harris' commitment to excellence and intellectualism aligns seamlessly with The Atlantic's rich tradition of journalistic integrity and engaging content. Her experiences as a Podcast Producer, Public Historian, and Lead Curator and Art Gallery Manager have shaped her vision and direction for media/visual based projects. She has been tasked with producing lecture series, intellectual salons, podcasts, archival projects, and mini documentaries for organizations such as SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) Legacy Project, Sidwell Friends School, Mehari Sequar Gallery, L’enfant Gallery, The Girl Friends, Inc., Revival Lounge Medical Spa, and The Beauty of Our Wellness (501c3).
My Services
Freelance Writing & Editing
Harris is a freelance editor and writer. She has written and edited numerous art exhibition catalogs and Communications and marketing literature for artists and art galleries. Her writing and editing is geared towards, but not limited to content related to society and culture, politics, and the humanities. With intentions on following the path of her favorite literary artists, Dorothy West and Nella Larsen, Harris is an independent literary artist in the works of publishing her first novelette.
Event Organizing & Philanthropy
Her event organizing and public engagement/speaking relates to her focus on philanthropy, women, the arts, and community development. She partners with organizations such as Smithsonian American Art Museum, Picture That Art Appraisals, LLC, L'enfant Gallery, and more! She is the co-founder of a wellness and arts organization, The Beauty of Our Wellness,
and its 501c3 entitled The Beauty of Our Wellness Fund,
which provides financial assistance to women under 40 and/or uninsured dealing who have accumulated bills related to uterine health procedures.
Curation & Art Advisory
Harris' experience in curation of visual art and history exhibitions present her as a wonderful consultant for exhibits for your academic and cultural institution or gallery space. She has worked with institutions such as Sidwell Friends School and Yale Divinity School to curate research based socially impactful exhibits for their spaces. As it relates to arts management, Harris works closely with artists, collectors, and individuals in various industries to aid in the enrichment of their respective portfolios and cultural impact.
Lecturing & Public Speaking
Public intellectualism and community engagement, central to Harris' mission, informs her practice as a woman committed to the cultural advancement and edification of society. Her lectures are geared towards the youth, as well as adult communities that gather to intentionally and critically engage narratives and practices related to arts & culture. She has provided lectures and moderated conversations for The Society, Inc., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Yale University's School of Divinity, Kasini House, The DC History Center, Mehari Sequar Gallery, and more!
