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Renaissance Youth Center

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Renaissance Youth Center
IndustryNonprofit
Founded2001
HeadquartersSouth Bronx, New York, United States
Area served
Bronx and New York City
Key people
Bervin Harris, Darren Quinlan
Revenue$1.2 million[1]
Websitewww.renaissanceyouth.org

The Renaissance Youth Center is a Bronx-based nonprofit founded in 2001.[2] Renaissance has more than 30 public schools in New York City.[3][4] The Renaissance Youth Center offers programs in education, music, sports, and civic engagement.[5]

History

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It was founded in 2001 as Renaissance Education, Music, and Sports (Renaissance-EMS).[6]

Renaissance was co-founded by Bervin Harris and Darren Quinlan to serve the Bronx's Morrisania neighborhood. Harris was a former recording artist with Capitol Records,[7] while Quinlan was a former NCAA Division 1 college basketball player at St. Bonaventure University,[8] as well as a songwriter who won the 1992 Abe Olman Scholarship from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.[9]

Programs

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Music On Wheels

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Music On Wheels planned a curriculum for schools that no longer have music programs for more than 30 public schools in New York City.[10][2] Renaissance holds an annual Music On Wheels Recital.[11]

Music With A Message Band

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The Music With A Message Band is a 25-member performance group, aged 6–21, that write songs about social issues and perform throughout New York City.[12] The band has performed at Good Morning America,[13] Carnegie Hall,[14] the Women in the World Summit at Lincoln Center,[15] the Apollo Theater,[16] the New School,[17][18] and the City Parks Foundation.[19] In 2016, they opened Mayor Bill de Blasio's 2016 State of the City address at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.[20]

In 2018, the band performed with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America,[21] and in 2019, they performed a cover of Lupita Nyong'o's "Sulwe's Song" with Lupita Nyong'o.[22]

Renaissance Youth Council

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In 2014, Renaissance's Youth Council spent eight hours painting Unity Park a pink salmon color. The NYC Parks Department painted over it because the youth group only allowed them to use a gray color.[23] After months of discussions, Renaissance partnered with the Parks Department to repaint the park.[24]

In 2016, the Youth Council set up a petition, gaining 4,700 signatures and support from New York State Assembly member Michael Blake, to force the clean-up of animal carcasses and the odor.[25][26]

In 2018, Renaissance Youth Council launched Youth Connect: Journey 2 Unity Tour, a five-borough tour.[27] The finale in Mullaly Park drew support from New York City Parks Department Commissioner Mitchell Silver and New York City Council member Vanessa Gibson.[28]

Awards and recognition

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  • In 2013, the Berklee College of Music included Renaissance in its Berklee City Music Network, grading the Renaissance Music Program at 94/100.[10]
  • In 2016, Renaissance co-founder Bervin Harris was honored by the New York City Police Foundation for his work as a community partner with the 42nd Precinct.[29]
  • In 2017, RiteAid awarded Mr. Harris its inaugural KIDCHAMP Award.[2]
  • In 2017, Congressman Jose Serrano and New York State Senator Jose Serrano honored Mr. Harris with an award for Black History Month.[30]
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References

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  1. ^ "Renaissance Youth Center 2015 Form 990" (PDF). Guidestar.
  2. ^ a b c "Bervin Harris Receives Inaugural KIDCHAMP Award". Rite Aid Foundation. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  3. ^ "The Rite Aid Foundation Unveils KIDCHAMPSM Program". Business Wire (Press release). 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  4. ^ "Rite Aid Foundation donates $10k to youth center" (PDF). Bronx Times.
  5. ^ "Renaissance Youth Center". My NYC Story. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  6. ^ "Message from Client – Renaissance Youth Center". PennPAC. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  7. ^ "Bervin Harris". Discogs.
  8. ^ "St. Bonaventure Extends GW's Losing Streak to 7". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  9. ^ "Abe Olman Recipients". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  10. ^ a b "Berklee in the Bronx". Bronx Free Press. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  11. ^ "Music on Wheels Recital held at Bronx school". News 12 Bronx. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  12. ^ "Bronx Youth Band Looks to Strengthen Borough Pride Through Positive Music". DNA Info. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  13. ^ "Dressing Room Reveal: This youth choir is sharing music with a message". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  14. ^ "Keeping life on the straight and narrow". Metro USA. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  15. ^ "Youth choir brings the house down with poignant performance of Andra Day's 'Rise Up'". Women in the World. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  16. ^ "Berklee City Music Celebrates Education Partnership with Film 'Take Me to the River'". Berklee College of Music. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  17. ^ "Pop, Rock and Jazz in NYC This Week". The New York Times. 19 January 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  18. ^ "Take Me To The River". The New School. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  19. ^ "VIVIAN GREEN / MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE / GRANDWIZZARD THEODORE". City Parks Foundation. Archived from the original on 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  20. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Delivers State of the City Address". YouTube. NYC Mayor's Office.
  21. ^ "Dressing Room Reveal: This youth choir is sharing music with a message". Good Morning America YouTube Channel. Good Morning America.
  22. ^ "Lupita Nyong'o Surprises Youth Band, Music With A Message!". YouTube. Lupita Nyong'o.
  23. ^ "Bronx Kids Beautify Drab Park Wall Only to Have City Repaint it Gray". DNA Info. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  24. ^ "Youth Group Allowed to Repaint Bronx Park After City Backs Down". DNA Info. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  25. ^ "Youth Center wants slaughterhouse forced out". Bronx News12. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  26. ^ "Bronx Youth Group Wants Nearby Slaughterhouse to Move". DNA Info. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  27. ^ "Bronx teens inspired to offer 'disconnected youth' hope in their communities". am New York. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  28. ^ "Youth Connect Tour Finale". YouTube. BronxNet.
  29. ^ "Appreciating Our NYPD Community Partners". NYPD News. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  30. ^ "Serranos Celebrate Black History Month". Bronx Times. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
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