East Harlem Community

The Academy works closely with partners in its East Harlem neighborhood and the greater Harlem community to develop policies and programs that will support community economic development, improve access to opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity, and improve the health, safety, and quality of life of residents of all ages.

East Harlem Community Alliance

In 2014, the Academy continued to partner with a wide range of East Harlem-based academic, community, and service organizations, businesses, elected officials, and Community Board 11 on the East Harlem Community Alliance, working collaboratively to enhance the vitality and well-being of East Harlem. The Academy leads the Buy East Harlem committee, which works to make “buying locally” a priority, recognizing that increasing local sales will keep funds in the community, enhance overall economic activity in the neighborhood, and will lead to the creation of new jobs. This year, the committee has been working to bring increased technical assistance and supports to small businesses to become part of the supply chain for large purchasers. In June 2014, East Harlem businesses were showcased and linked with venture capital investors and banking institution during the SOCAP Health conference, a two-day event co-sponsored with the Federal Reserve of San Francisco and Social Capital Markets (SOCAP) focused on how best to attract private capital to support innovations and investments that build healthy communities.

Museum Mile Festival

The Academy was a proud participant in the 2014 Museum Mile Festival, an evening-long museum open house and street fair that draws thousands of visitors to New York City’s Fifth Avenue. The Academy was pleased to partner with Harlem Seeds and Harlem Hospital Center’s Walk it Out! and Hip Hop Public Health programs to engage the community in fun, interactive activities around healthy eating and active living. The Academy’s Library also produced a special coloring book featuring images from books in its historical collections.

East Harlem Healthy Neighborhood Initiative

The Academy is a core partner with the Fund for Public Health NY, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), NYC Department of City Planning and the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in the East Harlem Healthy Neighborhood Initiative. Funded by the New York State Health Foundation’s Healthy Neighborhoods Fund, this is an initiative that seeks to build healthy and active communities across NY State. East Harlem is one of six communities selected.