Aaron Harris is the Founder and Executive Director of Keeping My Promise Inc. Before establishing the organization, Aaron built a distinguished career in student affairs, holding various leadership roles at Texas Christian University, Purdue University, Eastern Kentucky University, and Indiana University Southeast.

A highly accomplished public speaker, Aaron delivered his signature TEDx Talk, Pain: How to Work With Negatives to Make a Positive, in April 2021. His expertise in communication extends to academia, where he served as an instructor at Purdue University, teaching public speaking courses within the Brian Lamb School of Communication. Beyond teaching and student affairs, Aaron has actively contributed to numerous community development initiatives, focusing on student outcomes, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, male student retention, workforce development, youth advocacy, and financial aid accessibility.

One of Aaron’s most significant achievements during his tenure in higher education was facilitating the establishment of the New Horizons Minority Scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University. This scholarship enhances educational access for students from urban and underserved communities. Prior to its inception, minority scholarships at EKU were limited to $3,000 per year; however, the New Horizons Minority Scholarship now provides full-tuition coverage. Additionally, Aaron collaborated with university administrators to allocate scholarships to community organizations in Louisville and Lexington, KY, further addressing educational barriers.

In 2019, Aaron was selected as the opening keynote speaker and master of ceremonies for Indianapolis Black Expo’s Youth Leadership Teen Summit. He has also presented at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) National Conference in Los Angeles, CA, where he discussed the historical context of Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), implicit biases within higher education, the student experience, and the role of practitioners in fostering inclusive learning environments. His additional speaking engagements include presentations for the Indiana TRiO Association, Kentucky Association of Colleges and Admissions Counseling, and the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education. In 2017, he led workshops at Jefferson County Public Schools’ Priority Institute, equipping educators in high-risk schools with strategies to engage male students of color

Aaron holds a Master of Science in Human Development and Leadership (2014) and a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Media & Organizational Communication (2012), both from Murray State University. Committed to service and community empowerment, he continually seeks opportunities to uplift and support those around him.