Wendell Harris grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. After receiving his B.A. in Sociology from Youngstown University, he enlisted in the Peace Corps and served for two years in rural Jamai...view moreWendell Harris grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. After receiving his B.A. in Sociology from Youngstown University, he enlisted in the Peace Corps and served for two years in rural Jamaica. His duties included teaching elementary school and community development. Upon returning to the United States, he taught elementary school in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a Master of Arts in Teaching at Case-Western Reserve University prior to moving to New York State to teach in the Educational Opportunity Program at Suny-Albany. He also received a M.A. in African and Afro- American Studies at Suny-Albany. He has worked at Bard College, Cornell University, Oakland University and Schenectady County Community College. Prior to retirement in 2003, he worked for the New York State Education Department in the Office of School Improvement. He is a published poet, avid tennis player, worked in local theatre and currently works part-time as a massage therapist.view less