Kalima Harris is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience spanning leadership, foster care case management, counseling, healthcare administration, and information technology, has recently joined Deep Center as the Director of Youth Programs. Kalima brings a wealth of experience to this role, where she will oversee impactful initiatives aimed at empowering youth through creative education and community development.
Before joining Deep Center, Kalima served as the Director of Residence Life at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she skillfully managed a substantial budget and a team of 250 paraprofessional and 12 professional staff, creating a residential environment that promoted student success and wellbeing. Kalima’s experience also includes work as an Associate/Lead Counselor where she provided crucial individual and group counseling services and advised student-led associations, such as the Black Student Association and African Student Association.
As a community leader and professional counselor, Kalima has served on the Board of Directors at H.U.G.S. Counseling Center, where she contributed to advancing mental health resources and support services. She also served as a member of the End Gun Violence Committee in Savannah, working alongside local leaders and advocates to promote safety and reduce violence in the community. As a speaker at the American College Counseling Association (ACCA) Conference, Kalima presented on the importance of building inclusive relationships with students, a subject that aligns with her commitment to creating supportive, equitable environments for youth.
Outside of her roles in mental health counseling and program management, Kalima is an entrepreneur and the owner of a successful branding agency. She has been married for 18 years and is a devoted mother to three daughters. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, further enhancing her expertise in creating supportive, inclusive spaces in both educational and professional environments.