NEWS & VIEWS
Media inquiries regarding the Harlem Educational Activities Fund can be directed to:
Stefin Woolever, Director of Fund Development and Events at 212-663-9732 ext 318 or [email protected]
HEAF President & CEO, Michael Johnson’s Personal Reflection on UVA President Ryan’s Resignation
HEAF President Michael Johnson reflects on UVA President Ryan’s resignation—and calls us to defend inclusive leadership, stand with our students, and speak out for educational equity.
Partnering for Student Success with TIAA and Nuveen, a TIAA Company
TIAA’s partnership with HEAF throughout the 2024-25 school year left an indelible impression on our students. Through a generous TIAA grant and a strong time commitment from TIAA employees, HEAF students were exposed to professional career paths and personal development opportunities.
Sydney Phillips named 2025 Alexandra Korry Scholarship Winner
HEAF is proud to announce the recipient of the Alexandra Korry Scholarship: Sydney Phillips; recent graduate from The American University.
HEAF Community Wellness Retreat 2025
In collaboration with StreetSquash and the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, HEAF hosted the second annual Community Wellness Retreat! The retreat brought together the community for a day of fun in celebration of wellness during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Shaun Waters Elected to HEAF Board of Directors
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) announced that Shaun Waters has been elected to the nonprofit college access organization’s Board of Directors. The Board provides strategic oversight to HEAF, which empowers students through academic enrichment, personal development, college preparation, and career exposure to succeed in college and beyond.
HEAF Community Resource Fair
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund celebrated the second annual Community Resource Fair at the Bollinger Forum at Columbia University. Over 100 students, families, and community members came together for a day of fun, connection and valuable resources!
Harin de Silva Elected to HEAF Board of Directors
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) is pleased to announce the election of Harin de Silva to its Board of Directors. HEAF’s Board provides strategic oversight to the nonprofit organization, a high-impact college access program that provides academic enrichment, personal development, college prep, and career exposure from middle school through high school and college.
2024 Gala: Opening Doors, Empowering Futures
HEAF’s 2024 Annual Gala was held on Wednesday, October 23 at the beautiful Gotham Hall. This year’s theme of “Opening Doors, Empowering Futures” is the blueprint of HEAF’s success; for 35 years HEAF has worked with students and their families to open doors to college and into meaningful careers.
2024 LSGI Trip: Making Waves in Costa Rica
HEAF 11th and 12th graders packed their bags for an adventure of a lifetime when they took-off on a 12-day trip to Costa Rica for this year’s Learning for Global and Social Impact (LSGI) Trip.
Evelyn Pérez-Albino Elected to HEAF Board of Directors
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) is pleased to announce the election of HEAF Alumna Evelyn Pérez-Albino to its Board of Directors. Ms. Pérez-Albino joined the board effective July 1, and will collaborate with HEAF board members and leadership to set HEAF’s strategic priorities that ensure the college access program continues to provide academic enrichment, personal development, college prep, and career exposure to New York City students from underserved communities.
2024 Spring Soirée
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) celebrated the end of another successful academic year at our Spring Soirée.
We honored Cross River for their generosity to HEAF and their commitment to providing substantial scholarships to our students through the Cross River Scholarship.
Read more about the event here
2023 Gala: Our Future in Focus
HEAF’s 2023 Annual Gala was held on October 25 at Cipriani 42nd St. This year’s theme “Our Future in Focus” had two distinct goals: first, bringing focus squarely on to HEAF students, who represent the future for all of us; and second, focusing on the evolution of HEAF’s model to continue to support students’ needs in a changing academic and professional landscape.
Dr. Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers Elected to HEAF Board of Directors
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) is pleased to announce the election of Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers to its Board of Directors. Dr. Palma de Schrynemakers joined the board effective September 20th, and will work closely with equally dedicated board members on setting HEAF’s strategic priorities to ensure the college access program continues to open doors to college and careers for New York City students from underserved communities.
LSGI Trip 2023: Making an Impact in Ecuador
HEAF 11th and 12th grade students had an adventure of a lifetime when they embarked on a 12-day trip to Ecuador for this year’s Learning for Social and Global Impact (LSGI) trip. LSGI immerses HEAF students through research, networking, hands on activities, community service and travel to foster critical thinking, creative problem solving, social philanthropy and leadership through service learning.
HEAF Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Race-Conscious Admissions
HEAF President & CEO Michael Johnson’s message to the HEAF Community regarding the US Supreme Court Decision on Race-Conscious Admissions
HEAF presents 10th Annual College Decision Day
For a decade, HEAF has convened a cross-organization program to celebrate the high school graduations and college decisions of students from across New York City and beyond who have been supported, encouraged and empowered by HEAF’s peer college access programs.
Opening Doors to College and Meaningful Careers: HEAF visits MIT
HEAF students loaded up the bus bright and early and hit the road to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for an adventurous day during Spring Break. Michael Johnson, HEAF’s President and CEO, Stephane Essama, HEAF Leadership Council Deputy Chair, Petiri Reed, HEAF Associate Board Nominating Chair and HEAF program staff joined 28 of our students on this trip.
HEAF Bolsters Leadership Team
HEAF announced two key appointments that bolster the organization’s leadership and help ensure HEAF can continue to close education and opportunity gaps for students from underserved communities. Megan Campbell joined HEAF as Chief Development & External Relations Officer in November 2022. Samantha Moreno joined HEAF as Chief Programs Officer in December 2022.
Celebrating Our Roots: HEAF 2022 Gala
We were thrilled to host our 18th Annual Gala in-person on Wednesday, October 26. After having our gala completely virtual in 2020 and a hybrid model last year, it was great to have so many supporters of HEAF under one roof to celebrate HEAF’s roots and honor Daniel & Joanna Rose, Dennis M. Walcott and Maurice Sonnenberg.
NYC DYCD Commissioner Howard Visits HEAF
NYC DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard Visits HEAF
HEAF welcomed Commissioner Keith Howard of the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) to our Harlem campus yesterday to share our program goals, outcomes and see our exceptional HEAF Scholars in action.