Harlem School of Arts has played a significant and important role in the underserved community, particularly in Harlem and throughout New York City alike.
Harlem School of Arts acts as an outlet to the youth and has been empowering for the youth of Harlem communities and communities all over the city. This institute mainly focuses on discipline, stimulating creativity, building self-confidence and adding a dimension of beauty to the lives of their students as their mission and purpose.
Not only is this performing arts school outstanding in the mission that they have successfully proven to accomplish but, they have provided world-class training as a vital contribution to their success. Recently, on October 21st 2016, Harlem School of Arts hosted its annual gala benefit in the form of a masquerade ball to honor artist and outstanding community leaders. It took place in the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza Hotel. The benefit was held to support the school’s year round visual and performing arts programming. This event raised a whopping $1 million dollars and included an auction that was hosted by CK Swett, performances that were coordinated by the students and alumni of Harlem School of Arts and an award ceremony for the honorees of the night. The honorees were singer/songwriter and pianist, Michael Feinstein, actor, Sanaa Lathan, director/producer, Stan Lathan, and author and Executive Director at Morgan Stanley, Sandra L. Richards.
This event was definitely a night to remember. It was a time for Harlem School of Arts to reflect on the great success they have had over the last half a century producing Tony-award winning actors, celebrated operatic voices and jazz musicians, visual artists, dancers, and inspired citizens who cite HSA as the platform from which they launched careers in law, business and other professional fields.
[slideshow]-Kiava Nero
All images are courtesy of Julie Skarratt Photographer.
