Kai Cogsville was born and bred in Harlem’s Sugar Hill part of Harlem. He’s seen the evolution of his neighborhood, and says there is no such thing as a neighborhood on this planet prefer it.
“It form of felt like rising up in an enormous household, the place folks actually rooted for you and have been serving to you and wished that will help you win,” Cogsville mentioned, noting that the adjustments have been “scary” as time and improvement locations a brand new face on the realm. “I wouldn’t be the place I’m at the moment with out that neighborhood. It’s important to me and it’s why we do the work we do.”
Now at age 34, he’s enthusiastic about addressing housing inequity in his neighborhood and helps to guide the struggle. He created the Defend Harlem on-line marketing campaign for the New York Interfaith Fee for Housing Fairness, the place he serves as digital communications director.
Over the past three years, on account of the marketing campaign’s founding in 2022, the group has held a number of rallies and city corridor conferences, typically working with Harlem elected leaders and in partnership with different neighborhood organizations reminiscent of Mother and father Supporting Mother and father NY and United Black Caucus. Among the conferences are held at venues reminiscent of Mount Olivet Baptist Church, in entrance of the State Workplace Constructing, and not too long ago at Comedy in Harlem. The turnout of younger folks is one factor Cogsville says provides him hope that options are on the market. He’s even turn into an open speaker at a few of these occasions.
“I believe it’s vital that individuals see somebody like themselves that’s concerned in these points. I believe it makes it extra attainable and exhibits that these are points everybody must be concerned with,” Cogsville mentioned.
Civic engagement is one thing that runs in Cogsville’s household. His father, Donald was founder and president of the now-defunct Harlem City Growth Company.
The Interfaith Fee, which is made up of religion leaders throughout Harlem, was established in 2012 to sort out the displacement of Black and Brown Harlem residents in addition to reply to Columbia’s rising encroachment of property in Harlem. Versus pushing for extra “inexpensive housing,” Defend Harlem and the fee concentrate on addressing the housing issues for folks making a minimal wage to $65,000, which represents a lot of Harlem.
The principle housing improvement the place they need to tackle this affordability challenge is the controversial One45 improvement on 145th Avenue. Different developments they’re specializing in embody the Lenox Terrace growth and the Lincoln Correctional Facility web site, noting that as a result of it’s state property and there are fewer burdens to deal with, the extent of unaffordability of the proposed flats is a “shame” — one thing State Sen. Cordell Cleare has additionally referred to as out. This yr, the fee acquired nonprofit standing and is trying to develop to supply job alternatives at first of 2026.
Over the past two years, on account of the marketing campaign, the group has held a number of rallies and city corridor conferences, typically working with Harlem leaders like Cleare, a few of which have taken place at venues reminiscent of Mount Olivet Baptist Church. The turnout of younger folks is one factor Cogsville says provides him hope that options are on the market.
Culturally, Cogsville believes Harlem is in an important place however must be higher monetized, noting widespread sights like Soapbox Presents are an important alternative to create financial alternative and help native companies.
“I believe we have to begin leveraging our cultural influence for our neighborhood and create extra jobs,” Cogsville mentioned.
One of many main financial initiatives that the Fee has been pushing for is its “Harlem on the Hudson” plan, which might permit the Henry Hudson waterfront and West Harlem Piers to turn into an financial generator for the native Harlem neighborhood and be owned by an area Harlem improvement firm.
“This wouldn’t simply be an unbelievable win to have a good time the huge historical past and tradition of Harlem and uptown, but additionally be a win for Washington Heights, for Edgewater, for the Hudson Yards, for Jacob Javits Conference Heart, and a whole lot of different properties which might be on the waterfront that might be linked by completely different leisure and historic boats and cruises,” Cogsville mentioned.
After Columbia bought Fairway Properties in 2022, Cogsville says extra possession is required to go to Harlem. The Fee has constructed connections with entrepreneurs such because the house owners behind Harlem Rocket, a Black-owned boat touring firm that gives excursions of Harlem on the Hudson River.
“This must be about maximizing the neighborhood and bringing immense tax {dollars} to town to create as many native and enterprise alternatives as doable,” Cogsville mentioned. “The Harlem neighborhood and Washington Heights indictment deserve that immensely, particularly what occurred with Hudson Yards and the way we misplaced out on that undertaking. You understand, we want our personal improvement undertaking.”
The Fee has labored with a number of native and state-wide officers, however they are saying it would require subsidies and partnerships with Empire State Growth Company, and in the end, passage from the governor. They’ve reached out to mayoral candidates Mamdani and Cuomo.
In keeping with Cogsville, the course of the Harlem neighborhood will rely fully on the alternatives made by these in energy and the way these points are addressed.
“It’s the Black Mecca, however it’s about our tradition,” Cogsville mentioned, desirous about Harlem and its future. “I believe it exhibits the potential and the way a lot additional we are able to go, and the way that influences a worldwide factor, however it hasn’t even come near its potential by way of economics and alternatives that it could construct.”
