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| Harlem RBI | |
|---|---|
| Name | Harlem RBI |
| Formation | 1994 |
| Type | Nonprofit youth development |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Location | Harlem, Manhattan, New York |
| Leader title | Founder |
| Leader name | Alan Mills |
| Mission | Youth development through sports and education |
Harlem RBI is a New York City nonprofit youth development organization that uses baseball and softball alongside academic support to serve young people in Harlem and surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in the mid-1990s, the organization integrates athletics, mentorship, and college-preparatory programming to promote academic achievement, social-emotional learning, and college access. Its model connects sport-based coaching with partnerships across philanthropy, professional sports, and municipal institutions.
The organization was founded in 1994 by Alan Mills and others in response to declining youth opportunities in Harlem and the wider Manhattan community. Early growth included collaborations with local schools in New York City Department of Education districts and support from civic leaders in New York City; programmatic expansion followed after partnerships with organizations such as the New York Yankees and the Mayor of New York City's office. Over the 2000s the group developed college-preparatory pipelines linked to institutions like the City University of New York and began to attract funding from foundations including the Ford Foundation, Nike, Inc., and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Notable alumni and coaches have ties to professional leagues such as Major League Baseball and networks like USA Baseball.
Programming bundles athletic training with academic services, offering seasonal baseball and softball leagues, after-school tutoring, and summer camp models mirroring those used by Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Amateur Athletic Union. The curriculum emphasizes college readiness through SAT/ACT prep, college counseling, and connections to scholarship programs at institutions like Harvard University, Columbia University, and Yale University for standout students. Leadership development includes civic-engagement projects tied to community partners such as Harlem Children's Zone and service opportunities with municipal initiatives led by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development. Athlete development pathways involve showcases and scouting interactions with Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau personnel and collegiate coaches from the NCAA.
Evaluations cite improvements in academic outcomes, including higher graduation and college matriculation rates compared with peers in New York City public schools; alumni have matriculated to colleges across the Ivy League and private and public research universities. Program graduates have gone on to careers in professional sports, education, public service, and nonprofit leadership, with some joining organizations like Teach For America and municipal agencies such as the New York City Police Department's community outreach units. Independent assessments by philanthropy evaluators and education researchers affiliated with institutions like Columbia University Teachers College and Harvard Graduate School of Education have documented gains in social-emotional skills, attendance, and standardized-test performance among participants.
The organization maintains a network of corporate, foundation, and government partners, including corporate partners like PepsiCo, Bank of America, and T-Mobile US, as well as philanthropic backers such as the Ford Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Strategic alliances include long-term relationships with professional sports franchises (e.g., New York Mets, New York Yankees) and collegiate athletic departments at institutions like Columbia University and St. John's University. Public funding and programmatic support have been provided through grants and contracts with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the New York City Council. Volunteer and in-kind support comes from community organizations such as Harlem Children’s Zone and faith-based groups with links to local churches and community centers.
Primary operations are based in Harlem neighborhoods in Manhattan, with fields, classrooms, and training spaces located near landmark sites such as Marcus Garvey Park and other municipal green spaces. Program sites have included renovated urban ballfields and shared-use facilities coordinated with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and local schoolyards managed by the New York City Department of Education. Additional satellite programming has been delivered in borough-wide community centers across Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx through partnerships with neighborhood-based organizations and college campus facilities.
Category:Youth organizations based in New York City Category:Sports charities in the United States