Experience & Expertise
With over a decade of professional leadership, training, and program development, Sharmain brings deep expertise to every room he steps into:
→ National Father Engagement Expert (trained thousands across state, county, and nonprofit agencies)
→ Consultant & Facilitator for federal, state, and local government programs
→ Criminal Justice Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside
→ Reentry & Family Services Specialist working with systems like WIC, Child Support, Workforce Development, and Corrections
→ Professional Speaker delivering keynote talks for conferences, prisons, schools, and community organizations
→ Community Organizer & Strategic Planner for coalitions advancing justice reform, fatherhood leadership, and poverty solutions
His ability to connect, teach, and mobilize audiences comes from lived experience—paired with a strong academic background in Business Design & Innovation (MS) and Marketing & Management (BA).
Recognition & Impact
Sharmain’s work has earned local and national honors, including:
→
NAACP Positive Impact Award
→ 20 Under 40 Award
→ Governor’s Pardon – State of Wisconsin
→ Multiple features as a keynote presenter and panelist for national conferences
He’s been trusted by organizations such as:
→ National Child Support Enforcement Association
→ National WIC Association
→ Wisconsin Community Action Program
→ Departments of Human Services across multiple states
→ Workforce Development agencies
→ Prisons, jails, reentry programs, and community-based nonprofits nationwide
From breakout sessions to high-level policy forums, Sharmain’s voice influences systems and shapes future leaders.
A Story That Saves Lives
Sharmain’s story is raw, honest, and rooted deeply in transformation. His journey—from incarceration to influence—gives him unmatched credibility with audiences who are tired of theory and ready for truth.
He speaks with the conviction of a survivor, the clarity of a teacher, and the compassion of a father determined to change the narrative for the next generation.
His mission:
Help people rise above the odds, reclaim their identity, and build a legacy that outlives their mistakes.
What Drives Him
More than titles, degrees, or accolades, Sharmain is a husband and father first. His passion for fatherhood engagement stems from his own experience of healing from a broken relationship with his father. Watching his mother and father battle for him in court made him dedicate his life to his 2 sons and bonus daughter. This is what sparked his desire to help men step into leadership within their families and communities.
Whether he’s teaching dads how to reconnect with their children, guiding practitioners on how to serve justice-involved fathers, or helping returning citizens build confidence, his work comes from a place of deep empathy and lived experience.
RISE ABOVE REENTRY ENTERPRISES
Rise Above Reentry Enterprises (R.A.R.E.) is a mission-driven movement founded by Sharmain Harris to transform reentry outcomes by serving both justice-impacted individuals and the professionals who support them.
This online platform operates through two connected tracks—the Rise Above Reentry Academy and the Rise Above Reentry Alliance. R.A.R.E. delivers personal development, education, and system-level training rooted in lived experience. The Academy empowers formerly incarcerated individuals to rebuild identity, strengthen families, and create sustainable success, while the Alliance equips professionals with practical tools and insight to better engage and support justice-impacted people.
As Founder of R.A.R.E., Sharmain Harris bridges lived experience and leadership—ensuring transformation is not only possible, but practical and sustainable.
Connect with Sharmain
Sharmain is available for:
→ Keynote Speeches
→ Workshops & Trainings
→ Fatherhood & Reentry Consulting
→ Curriculum Development
→ Storytelling & Speaker Coaching
→ Strategic Planning Facilitation
📩 Email: info@sharmainharris.com
🌐 Website: www.sharmainharris.com
📍 Based in Wisconsin — serving nationwide
