How HEAF Honors the Harlem Community and Uplifts a New Generation of Brilliant Young Minds
by Jan Gloor
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund, affectionately known as HEAF within the Harlem community, recently held its annual gala, a celebration of educators, community leaders, and most importantly, the students it serves. The event, titled “Opening Doors, Empowering Futures,” highlighted HEAF’s monumental efforts to provide students from underserved communities not only with the tools to excel academically but also with the foundation to thrive as pioneers, change agents, and leaders within their communities.
As Jeff Gardere, the emcee of the event, put it, “We are investing in the future of our children and our young people who need education more than anything else because in this ever changing world we know that the one thing they can count on is their knowledge, and knowledge means success.
Each year, HEAF honors two exceptional leaders across various industries for their contributions to uplifting underrepresented communities, inspiring youth, and driving meaningful change in their respective fields.
Honoring Voza Rivers
This year, the first honoree was Harlem’s own Voza Rivers, the Executive Producer of the New Heritage Theatre Group (NHTG) and Chairman of the Harlem Arts Alliance. A trailblazer in the arts, Voza has been a cornerstone of the Harlem community for decades, championing cultural and artistic expression.
Since joining NHTG in 1964 and becoming its Executive Producer in 1983, he has focused on producing transformative works, including South African plays like Asinamali!, which toured nationally, reached Broadway, and earned a Tony Award nomination.
His work extends beyond theater—Voza is a Grammy-nominated producer whose collaborations include musical legends such as Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Chaka Khan, Ray Charles, and Nina Simone.
As a co-founder of HARLEM WEEK and Vice President of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, he has played a vital role in showcasing Harlem’s economic, political, and cultural legacy, evolving HARLEM WEEK from a one-day tribute to a month-long celebration.
He also co-founded Impact Repertory Theater, an Oscar and Grammy-nominated youth initiative of NHTG, fostering the next generation of talent.
Reflecting on HEAF’s mission, Voza shared, “HEAF means opportunity. What I experienced tonight with our young leaders—their commitment and dedication—showcases the enormous impact this organization has.”
Honoring Esmé-Thea Sanders
HEAF’s second honoree, Esmé-Thea Sanders, spoke from personal experience as a HEAF alumna. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she recounted her journey with HEAF, beginning as a chess player during the organization’s early days when teaching students chess was a primary focus. Sanders shared how HEAF shaped her path, emphasizing the pivotal role it played in her academic and professional success.
When she was in high school, HEAF allowed Esmé the opportunity to travel across the United States on college tours, eventually landing her at Howard University. From there, Esmé began her career as an associate at Marsh McLennan, where as she put it “made me more money than my mother had ever seen in her life”. In a sense, this was a wake up call, she had made it.
However, the longer she worked within the corporate sphere, she realized that work still needed to be done, leading her to becoming Ford’s Chief of Staff for its DEI program. She wanted to open the doors that were opened to her. To take young, brilliant, energetic individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who were not given a fair shot to take that next step. Without HEAF she would not have been able to open doors and empower futures.
The Harlem Times also spoke with today’s HEAF students, who aspire to become leaders in their respective fields, whether in computer science, writing, mathematics, medicine, or beyond.
One student shared how HEAF empowered her to broaden her horizons, providing opportunities to travel, discover new paths, and embrace a sense of adventure in exploring both herself and the world around her. Another student emphasized how HEAF has become a cornerstone in her life, offering opportunities unavailable at her high school and enabling her to build meaningful connections with others.
The Harlem Times has covered HEAF’s galas and numerous events for years, and each time we are awestruck by the talent, ingenuity and determination of HEAFers. Without the organization, these students would be less likely to shoot for the stars and become the change agents they were always meant to be. To find out more about HEAF and their work, you can visit their website, heaf.org.