Harlem Children’s Zone receives Audacious Project grant

Photo by Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexels

The Audacious Project has granted USD 26 million toward the Harlem Children Zone’s goal of raising USD 50 million to support the implementation of ongoing Covid-19 relief efforts. Along with anchor institutions in Minneapolis, Oakland, Newark, Detroit, Chicago, and Atlanta, the Harlem Children’s Zone will expand efforts in Harlem, New York City, and launch new initiatives in partner cities to support Covid-19 recovery and address critical needs among communities of colour.

The Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) works in Harlem to break the cycle of poverty by building community, and helping to strengthen families and ensure that children succeed from birth to college graduation. The Audacious Project is a collaborative funding initiative between TED and not-for-profit organisations that nurture big, bold solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges .

“The Audacious investment serves as an incredible vote of confidence in the national leadership role of Harlem Children’s Zone and is a testament to the impactful work of our amazing partners,” said Kwame Owusu-Kesse, CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone. Watch Kwame’s Ted Talk to hear more!

This funding will provide necessary resources to support HCZ in its national effort to address the needs of people of colour in underserved communities. HCZ’s strategy addresses five areas to help offset the pandemic’s impact on communities. These areas are: protecting the most vulnerable, bridging the digital divide, preventing learning loss, mitigating the mental health crisis, and providing emergency financial support. This investment will also strengthen a powerful, partnership led by people of colour that will help drive health equity, justice, and social and economic mobility in communities of colour across America in the years ahead.

Oak is pleased to hear this great news and knows that HCZ will use this funding to go a long way in making strides to a more socially just community. Oak’s support to HCZ falls under our Special Interest Programme. You can read more about the programme strategy here.