BENITA L HARRIS

Public health strategist who turns policy, research, and community insight into practical programs, partnerships, and leadership development. Known for shaping workforce pathways, supporting emergency readiness, and designing initiatives for vaccine access, genomics engagement, and student leadership across federal and community settings.

• National Council of Negro Women, Henry-Clayton Section, Health Equity Committee Co-Chair, 2025, Present, Co-lead community health programming that integrates Good Health WINS, vaccine education, preventive care, nutrition access and trusted-messenger outreach across Henry and Clayton counties., Helped lead two outreach events reaching approximately 250 residents in the fourth quarter of 2025. The World AIDS Day event included partner delivery of 50 HIV tests, 53 health screenings and 20 influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations., Prepared the section's 2026-2027 Good Health WINS proposal, including a $10,000 funding request, community and college listening sessions, partner roles, evaluation measures and preventive-health activities; supported submission and coordinated program planning across committees., Coordinate health-summit planning and committee initiatives involving the Girls First Community Garden, cancer awareness, sickle cell education and community wellness. Use participation data, partner feedback and service measures to document program results., Life Member since 2023
• Henry County, Georgia, Volunteer Advisor and Community Program Developer, 2026, Coordinate planning and partner participation for the October 10, 2026 Henry County Senior Health and Wellness Expo with Henry County Government, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Walgreens, Humana and community partners; develop program content, outreach and moderator remarks., Authored an independent Georgia ReHoused feasibility report for county review, combining needs assessment, provider inventory, funding analysis and three illustrative budget scenarios for a proposed 24-month housing-stabilization model., Authored a draft Election Security and Voting Continuity Plan with agency responsibilities, emergency protocols, exercise scenarios, incident documentation and an after-action improvement framework., Advisory work with Board of Commissioners Chair Carlotta Harrell
• Henry County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, Civic Leadership and Nonpartisan Public Education, 2026, Contributed precinct observations and recommendations addressing voter access, privacy, procedural clarity and operational readiness; applied public-health preparedness experience to election continuity planning., Co-developed voter-education presentations with presenter notes, a knowledge check and a seven-step readiness plan. Delivered community sessions and deputy registrar training, translating complex procedures into practical guidance., Nonpartisan appointee

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated: member since 1985 and charter member of Alpha Delta Beta Omega Chapter in McDonough, Georgia, established in 2025. Professional and community service also includes the American Public Health Association and the African Methodist Episcopal Church International Health Commission.
• STEM Advisory Service
• Board Member and Advisor, STEM Atlanta Women | 2017-2021
• Provided volunteer consultation, program support and partnership development to expand youth exposure to STEM and related career opportunities.
• Health Equity and STEM Advisor, National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation | 2016-2024
• Worked with foundation leadership on student exposure to public health, mentoring and navigation of federal opportunities, including connections supporting historically Black colleges and universities.
• STEM Education and Nonprofit Leadership
• Community STEM Partnership Development and Volunteer Advising
• Stockbridge High School and community partners | Henry County, Georgia | 2018 and subsequent advising
• Initiated connections that helped bring Best Buy Geek Squad Academy, branded Hack the Bridge!, to Stockbridge High School in 2018. Worked with school and community leaders to support a two-day experience in coding, 3D design, digital music, film and photography.
• Provide volunteer advisory input to Dr. Eric Watson and school leaders on student engagement, STEM exposure and community partnerships.
• National Coalition of 100 Black Women, MECCA Chapter | 2017-2021
• Served as Health Committee Chair (2017-2020) and Financial Secretary (2020-2021). Additional faith-based health leadership includes service on the AME Church International Health Commission COVID-19 Strategic Response Planning Committee (2020-2022).

• Coauthor, The role of funded partnerships in working towards decreasing COVID-19 vaccination disparities, United States, March 2021-December 2022. Vaccine, 42(Suppl. 3), 125551 (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.12.061.
• Presenter on cultural humility and vaccine equity, CDC national training (2024); vaccine-equity strategies, APHA annual meetings (2022-2023); and workforce pipeline evaluation, CDC Evaluation Day (2016).
• Coeditor, Lessons Learned: Innovations in the Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services to African Americans through Community Coalition Development, Jackson State University monograph (2004).
• Coauthor, HIV prevention in prisons and jails: obstacles and opportunities. Public Health Reports, 109(5), 615-625 (1994).
• Author, Ellas Garden of Health and Hope, an educational story manuscript and related curriculum materials introducing young readers to health equity and community action.

• Community Leadership and Volunteer Service
• Health Equity Committee Co-Chair
• National Council of Negro Women, Henry-Clayton Section | 2025-Present | Life Member since 2023
• Co-lead community health programming that integrates Good Health WINS, vaccine education, preventive care, nutrition access and trusted-messenger outreach across Henry and Clayton counties.
• Helped lead two outreach events reaching approximately 250 residents in the fourth quarter of 2025. The World AIDS Day event included partner delivery of 50 HIV tests, 53 health screenings and 20 influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Prepared the section's 2026-2027 Good Health WINS proposal, including a $10,000 funding request, community and college listening sessions, partner roles, evaluation measures and preventive-health activities; supported submission and coordinated program planning across committees.
• Coordinate health-summit planning and committee initiatives involving the Girls First Community Garden, cancer awareness, sickle cell education and community wellness. Use participation data, partner feedback and service measures to document program results.