HEAF

Counting down the hours until tonight's Gala: Our Future in Focus, honoring Evelyn M. Pérez-Albino, Esq., Sekou Kaalund and Pamela Watkins-West for their commitment to opening doors, creating opportunity and removing barriers. Learn more - https://heaf.org/2023-heaf-gala/

So excited for tonight's gala celebrating our future and honoring Evelyn Perez-Albino, Sekou Kaalund and Pamela West for their commitment to opening doors, creating opportunity and removing barriers. HEAF's gala supports our purpose to remove hurdles to education and opportunity, which Michael Johnson, 's President and CEO, discussed with New York Nonprofit Media. Read more here -

Harlem Educational Activities Fund mentors NYC youth with ‘future in focus’ The organization has a new CEO and is preparing for its upcoming annual gala.

celebrates Arnulfo Dunes Trejo, who spent his career expanding libraries’ collections of Latino literature to expose readers to a wealth of Hispanic content and authors that had been historically overlooked.

Pamela West, Managing Director, Real Estate Impact Investing at Nuveen will be honored at the annual gala. Pamela is helping shape an equitable future through her leadership on investments with intentional, direct and measurable positive results to society.

Join us to celebrate Pamela as we bring our future into focus at HEAF's annual gala: October 25 at 6PM at Cipriani 42nd. More info: https://heaf.org/2023-heaf-gala/

is proud to announce that The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies' Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers has joined our Board of Directors. A dynamic with a wealth of expertise and deep experience, Dr. Palma de Schrynemakers' passion for opening doors to college and careers mirrors our purpose to bridge academic and opportunity gaps.

Press Release: https://heaf.org/dr-gladys-palma-de-schrynemakers-elected-to-harlem-educational-activities-fund-board-of-directors/

We’re thrilled to announce that will honor Evelyn M. Pérez-Albino, Esq., attorney, career strategist, passionate BIPOC advocate, mentor, role model and HEAF Alumna at our Gala on Oct 25. Evelyn has turned her in-house major public company employment law experiences into a launchpad to help diverse employees navigate and succeed in the workplace in fulfilling roles.

Join us to celebrate Evelyn, her numerous successes, and our shared mission to open doors to college and meaningful careers for NYC students from underserved communities at HEAF's annual gala: Our Future in Focus. October 25 at 6PM at Cipriani 42nd. More info: https://heaf.org/2023-heaf-gala/

Sekou Kaalund, Head of Branch and Small Business Banking at U.S. Bank, will be recognized at 's annual gala for his tireless efforts to champion equitable opportunities. Through his professional success and personal commitment to strengthening the finance industry by opening doors to diverse candidates and supporting their growth and success, Sekou is a trailblazer and role model for HEAF students.

Join us to celebrate Sekou and our mission to bridge academic and opportunity gaps for NYC students at HEAF's annual gala: Our Future in Focus. October 25 at 6PM at Cipriani 42nd. More info: https://heaf.org/2023-heaf-gala/

Join for our annual Gala on Wednesday, October 25 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The evening will bring Our Future into Focus, celebrating our students who embody the future, and supporting HEAF's future programming to continue to bridge academic and opportunity gaps for NYC students.

As champions for equitable opportunities and diversity, HEAF's 2023 Gala honorees are trailblazers and role models:
- Sekou Kaalund, Head of Branch and Small Business Banking, U.S. Bank
- Evelyn M. Pérez-Albino, Esq., Attorney, Career Strategist and Professional Speaker, and HEAF Alumna
- Pamela Watkins-West, Managing Director, Real Estate Impact Investing, Nuveen

For more information - https://heaf.org/2023-heaf-gala/

Welcome back students! is excited to kick-off Fall Program and we look forward to another amazing year!

Join on Sunday August 20th at Harlem Day! HEAF is proud to be a member of the Harlem community for more than 30 years helping to bridge education and opportunity gaps for some of NYC’s most deserving students.

On we celebrate ’s mission of bridging educational and opportunity gaps for NYC students. We are thankful for the of all our teachers, staff, volunteers and donors. You can make an impact on the lives of our students. Visit our website for more information on how you can get involved!

We're grateful for the support of corporate partner Perella Weinberg Partners. Special thanks to the exceptional PWP volunteers who helped spruce up our student spaces, and those who joined our lunch-and-learn to hear more about HEAF programming and how to get involved.

Huge thanks to the Google Black Employee Resource Group for hosting our Sumer Quest students for a lively panel discussion about career paths at Google. Panelist comments and discussions with Google employees over lunch really inspired our students and opened their eyes to potential new career opportunities. And, everyone enjoyed a tour of Google's NY office!

Summer Quest is in full swing at , bridging academic and opportunity gaps and exposing students to possible career paths. This week, students visited AllianceBernstein to learn all about the stock market, from what shares represent, to how to research financial performance, and ultimately make trades. Hosts Petiri Reed (AllianceBernstein Associate Officer Equity Sales/Trader and HEAF Associate Board Nominating Chair), Anthony Salas (AllianceBernstein Senior Associate and HEAF Alum and Associate Board Member), and Hershil Shah (AllianceBernstein Client Advisor) shared knowledge of the capital markets, exposed the students to career paths in finance and inspired them with their passion for the industry and real-life lessons learned. They also led the students in a team-building activity.

Huge thanks to Hirsch Leatherwood for hosting our middle school students for a Career Connections workshop as part of our critical Summer Quest program. Our students were inspired by the session, and learned to think critically about future opportunities, research companies, and prepare for interviews.

Thrilled to celebrate HEAF high school graduate Jana Pollard, a 2023 UNCF Gray NYC Scholar. Gray Foundation and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) are working together to support a cohort of future leaders from New York City as they pursue their path to success at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU). Jana begins her undergraduate studies at Clark Atlanta University this fall.

Jana and her fellow UNCF Gray NYC Scholar cohorts have been awarded scholarships that allow them to graduate debt-free, enrichment funds for educational and career opportunities in the summer, and access to the Gray Foundation’s vast network. In addition, UNCF will provide the students with a designated college success coach, online academic support, and access to the HCBU alumni mentor network. We're proud of Jana and grateful to the Gray Foundation for its continued support of HEAFs mission to bridge academic and opportunity gaps and open doors to college and ultimately meaningful careers for NYC students.

On we celebrate the emancipation of slaves in the United States, reflect on progress made to date, and acknowledge the work still to be done to achieve equity and equality.

Congratulations to senior Jana, who will be attending Clark Atlanta University this fall!

Shoutout to our Youth Development Leaders! YD Leaders are HEAF high school students who brainstormed and explored innovative ways to enhance the HEAF experience and programing as a whole. They garnered feedback from other HEAF students and presented the feedback to the HEAF Program Team.

Join on Saturday, June 17 for our Spin Ride and Run! Together we can make a difference in the lives of our students. For more information on the event and to register - https://www.classy.org/event/heafs-charity-spin-ride-and-run/e457793

Congratulations to senior Hailey, who will be attending Hunter College this fall!

to a week ago today when convened our 10th annual College Decision Day. 12 peer college access programs came together to celebrate the high school graduations and college decisions of their students. Cumulatively, more than 2,000 high school seniors were served by these organizations with missions to bridge academic and opportunity gaps and open doors to college and then meaningful careers. Special thanks to Cross River for the generous support that made the evening possible.

To read more about CDD 2023 - https://heaf.org/heaf-presents-10th-annual-college-decision-day/

Congratulations to HEAF senior Jonathan for committing to Lincoln University of PA!

Congratulations to HEAF senior Shreya, who will be attending Hunter College this fall!

Congratulations to HEAF senior Daniel for committing to Borough of Manhattan Community College!

College Decision Day 2023!

Join and our peer college access programs from NYC and beyond to celebrate the college decisions of a group of truly incredible high school seniors. We’re thrilled that Kadia Tubman, Managing Editor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Insider will emcee the festivities, and Deputy Commissioner Mike Bobbitt, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, will deliver a keynote.

Also, you won’t want to miss the amazing speech written and delivered in collaboration by students across the organizations.

It’s not too late to RSVP: [email protected]

Congratulations to senior Brain, who will be attending DePauw University this fall!

10th Annual College Decision Day is next Thursday, May 18 - supported by Cross River.

Join us to celebrate the high school graduations and college decisions of students from college access programs across New York City and beyond!

For more info and to RSVP: [email protected]

The Youth Development Middle School Retreat 2023 put our students’ skills to the test as they visited Mission Escape Games to complete a 60-minute escape room! Students solved puzzles, riddles, and clues to exit the room before the clock ran out!

Youth Development High School Retreat 2023: Students enjoyed team-building activities, explored the city and enjoyed Rise NY.

Shoutout to volunteer Chef Vincent Tropepe! Recently, our high school students had the opportunity to prepare a Michelin star meal as they discovered the culinary arts with Chef Tropepe, who volunteered to lead an interactive cooking class that covered kitchen safety, explored culinary techniques, and learned about key ingredients.

Thank you, Chef Vincent Tropepe, for taking the time to teach our students about the culinary world.

salutes from our long-time Corporate Partner Chubb North America- thank you for your support of our mission to bridge education and opportunity gaps for NYC students!

Carrying out our purpose to open doors to college and meaningful careers for NYC students, last week we enjoyed an amazing visit to MIT. Nearly 30 students toured the campus, and had the incredible opportunity to speak with MIT's Institute Community and Equity Officer John Dozier, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Professor Wesley Harris, and others. Thank you to our MIT hosts for opening our students’ minds to all MIT has to offer, and thank you to Stephane Essama and Petiri Reed for to chaperone! For more details on our trip, read our blog post – https://heaf.org/heaf-visits-mit/�

’s Onward and YD Team hosted a Spring Into Wellness Seminar - a self-care and wellness experience for our 12th graders and college students. During the seminar, students completed self-assessments, and developed self-care plans, learned stress management techniques, and engaged in activities like creating a DIY self-care kit!

Special thanks to the amazing Women in panelists who inspired our students with advice and sharing their personal journeys in the field of STEM.

Calling all Alumni we'd love to reconnect with you!

Please fill out the Alumni Association form (link in post) to let us know what you've been up to, and so we can make sure you're always up-to-date on HEAF happenings. Share the form with your fellow alumni too, so we can reconnect - https://heaf.tfaforms.net/83

leadership blazes trails to open doors to college and meaningful careers for our students - shout out to these women who show our students that anything is possible.

celebrates our Board Chair and long-serving board member Karla Maloof, a trailblazer and true role model for our students. Karla's leadership and dedication helps ensure HEAF students have equitable access to college and meaningful careers.

Brooklyn students visited the Museum at the Fashion Institute Of Technology to explore its latest exhibit 'Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style.' The exhibit honored Hip Hop's contribution to fashion over the years and highlighted many iconic celebrity looks. Students also took in the ‘Designing Women: Fashion Creators and Their Interiors,’ exhibit that revealed how modern high-fashion was inspired by interior design highlighting objects dated back to the 18th century.

Time is running out – don’t miss your chance to be part of our 11X11 campaign! We are spending 11 full days harnessing the power of small donations to make a big impact. today to help bridge academic and opportunity for NYC students.

To donate: https://www.classy.org/give/464047/ #!/donation/checkout