Showing Up for the Community: 4 Harlem Non-Profits
The National Urban League announced last year that they are relocating their headquarters to our beloved Harlem!
The National Urban League announced last year that they are relocating their headquarters to our beloved Harlem!
The National Urban League, “a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice,” announced last year that they are relocating their headquarters to our beloved Harlem! In honor of that, let’s shine a spotlight on some Harlem-based non-profits hustling for the greater good.
National Urban League
The National Urban League is committed to elevating the standards of living for African Americans and other historically underserved groups. They do this through a variety of initiatives and programs, including education, housing, justice, voting and civic engagement, and much more.
We’re only mentioning the National Urban League first because our fearless leader, G. Keith Alexander, was on-site to capture the excitement of the NUL’s move to Harlem. G. Keith spoke briefly with Curtis Archer, the President of Harlem Community Development, who said this move is “so significant. It is a transformative project.” G. Keith also got a quote from the indomitable Rev. Al Sharpton on the occasion: “We need to have an epicenter of civil rights in Harlem.” You can watch the full clips here.
EHCA – East Harlem Community Alliance
The East Harlem Community Alliance is “a consortium of over 231 nonprofits, businesses, religious organizations, and government agencies working together to enhance the vitality and well-being of East Harlem.”
The EHCA wants you to serve, promote, hire, and buy locally. One of their biggest initiatives is called Working Together. This initiative offers workshops and resources in a variety of categories to help educate and empower the local business community. Working Together components include merchant organizing, marketing, placemaking, cleaning and beautification, business support and retention, and more.
Harlem Grown
Harlem Grown is a non-profit with a unique mission: “to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition.”
Harlem Grown has 12 urban agriculture facilities and they’ve created a space where community gardens meet mentorship for young minds. During the coronavirus pandemic, they put together HG Meals: Harlem Helping Harlem and raised over $100,000 to provide more than 13,000 hot, nutritious meals to Harlem residents living in shelters. They also run workshops and summer programs to teach Harlem children about agriculture and nutrition.
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Started by the legendary Arthur Mitchell, The Dance Theatre of Harlem’s main message is “empowerment through the arts for all.” The dance company tours nationally and internationally and has even been featured on The Ellen Show.
They have a number of dance class offerings through their dance school and they run an outreach program called Dancing Through Barriers® that provides young people and adults the opportunity to learn about dance in an inclusive and uniquely diverse setting.
Charitable Donation from MacKenzie Scott Brings Millions of Dollars to Harlem
MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Jeff Bezos recently donated $2.74 billion to hundreds of non-profits, four of which are located in Harlem.
The Harlem recipients include the Apollo Theater, the Dance Theater of Harlem, The Studio Museum in Harlem, and El Museo del Barrio.
Spread Love & Support Your Community with HarlemAmerica
Do you have a message you need to share with the Harlems of the world? HarlemAmerica Digital Network is the perfect space for black creators and non-profits to amplify their voices and expand their reach. Interested? Check out our website to learn more about our small business membership packages.