'East Harlem Focus'

Hope Community, Inc. and Manhattan Neighborhood Network
to Screen Documentary: “East Harlem Focus”
@ MNN Studios, 537 West 59th Street
Wednesday, September 19, 6:30 p.m.


On Wednesday, September 19th, Hope Community, Inc. - in partnership with Manhattan Neighborhood Network - will screen its documentary, "East Harlem Focus: A Community Facing Transition." The screening will be held at 6:30 pm at MNN Studios, 537 West 59th Street, followed by a 30-minute public discussion on gentrification and displacement in East Harlem.


Background

Produced by the Hope Community’s community programs department, “East Harlem Focus” is the culmination of a 12-month, community-based research project that documented a neighborhood threatened by rapid and transformative change.

The research team interviewed with over 30 neighborhood residents to capture their observations, opinions, and feelings about East Harlem. The team also drew from a wide range of sources — including the U.S. census, records from three city agencies, and private data on real estate sales — to describe and analyze demographic trends and flows of investment in local real estate.

“The goals of the research project were to identify and explain changing forces, highlight concerns of local residents, and propose practical courses of action for positive future development,” explained Hope’s Executive Director, Robin LeBaron. “We hope the film and panel discussion will shed new light on the issue of displacement and lay the foundation for an alliance with local partners to preserve East Harlem’s historic standing as a vibrant, affordable neighborhood for working class families.”

In addition to the video, Hope staff produced an accompanying published report available online at www.hopeci.org. For more information visit: www.hopeci.org/program_EHF.php.

source: MNN