The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

two boys holding teddy bears
NYCHA Residents Program Partners Top Story 

Harlem Cultural Festival Foundation Hosts Family Day for NYCHA Residents 

LaToya

In September, NYCHA families from Harlem-area developments gathered at the Saint Stephen AME Community Center for the Harlem Cultural Festival Foundation’s (HCFF) Family Day and Back to School event. The full day of free fun and learning highlighted the foundation’s commitment to enriching the lives of Harlem’s young people. 

man greeting two people
Musa Jackson speaking to attendees at the HCFF Family Day.

HCFF is a nonprofit committed to creating social impact in the Harlem community through cultural preservation, health equity, youth development, and economic empowerment initiatives. The organization was founded by Musa Jackson and Nikoa Evans. 

For Mr. Jackson, HCFF Co-Founder and Co-Chair, hosting the event was sentimental for him: “I was raised in DeWitt Clinton Houses in East Harlem, that’s where I spent a lot of my life from childhood until I left for college. I’ve always wanted to give back to my community, specifically NYCHA. Having the foundation and doing the type of programming we do, one of the things we’re always talking about is how we can provide and connect young people to opportunities that will enhance their lives. Any opportunity like this is important because it broadens the horizons. It’s been rewarding to see the children with their parents and see their faces and know that we’re really making a difference in their lives.” 

The event was hosted in partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop, which donated 300 bears and provided children with the opportunity to participate in a heart ceremony (where they placed a heart inside the bear prior to stitching). Children received a birth certificate and bear condo box for their new friend. Build-A-Bear Foundation also provided books for children to take home. 

child holding teddy bear
mother and child
child reading a book on a rug
group of people
child holding a book
table with books
group of people
older child reading to younger children
two children reading
two children holding boxes with teddy bears inside
child holding a box and slice of pizza
group of people holding teddy bears

Other partners included MetroPlus Health, which provided backpacks and school supplies; the recently opened Trader Joe’s Harlem, which donated a gift bag that was raffled off; and the Dr. Yolanda Cares Foundation, which provided a nutrition corner presented by Lincoln Market. There was also music, face painting, and arts and crafts for the families to enjoy.  

Nikoa Evans, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the HFCF, said the partners the organization worked with on this event were part of a strategic mission to create connections that positively impact families and children in Harlem: “Every way that we can at HCF, we seek to have a double focus to partner with brands coming into Harlem – but they have to come into Harlem in a long-lasting way that can be impactful to the community. We seek out brands that have a social impact mission as part of their corporate responsibility. This is the first of many partnerships that we will be bringing to the NYCHA community.”