Rev. Dr. Harold D. Davis was born in Charleston, West Virginia. He moved to Champaign‐Urbana in August of 1980 with his wife, Ollie Watts Davis. From 1981‐1986, Rev. Davis served as a music specialist/teacher for Champaign Unit #4 School District. He took courses toward a Master’s degree in Music Education. In 1984 he accepted his calling to the gospel preaching ministry. In 1986 he joined the staff at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church as the Assistant Pastor/Pastor of Youth Activities, and served for twelve years. There he developed a program called “Love Triangle,” which developed into the TALKS Mentoring Curriculum in 1993. Since 1998, Reverend Davis has devoted his full attention as Executive Director of TALKS Mentoring to assisting adults reach youth through mentoring. There are TALKS affiliate offices across the country. He has served as the President of the Board of Directors for the SAFE House (Substance Abuse‐Free Environment) and on the boards of Youth for Christ and Boy Scouts of America. He has authored several books.

Harold was featured in Difference Makers 2010: An eBlack Champaign-Urbana Publication.