Cynthia and Haja are a bi-racial couple who have lived in Central Harlem for nearly twenty years (they met in Harlem at Malcolm-King College where Cynthia was teaching English and Haja was lead singer in the College Gospel Chorus). Both are serious community activists, as they have been all their lives. Cynthia was born in Iowa, Haja in North Carolina, but both found their way to NYC, and Harlem, in the late 1970's. Early in the1980's, Cynthia founded "Project Harmony," now a non-profit incorporated community organization devoted to improving the community/environment in diverse ways. As co-directors of Project Harmony, both Haja and Cynthia work with community residents--especially children and women--in developing community gardens, and encouraging self-help economic development projects. Project Harmony sponsors community clean-ups, summer internships within the community for youth, a home-canning and crafting initiative, as well as programs which help women & youth start their own "cottage industries."
In 1996 the two purchased a vintage Harlem brownstone across the street from one of the gardens their group manages. While they have done a great deal of restoration, the house remains a "work in progress," with nonetheless beautiful original detail uncovered (stained glass, hand-carved woodwork, four marble & mahogany mantled fireplaces, all dating back to 1886, the year the house was built). Cynthia has furnished the house with an eclectic assortment of antique and "vintage" furniture, lighting fixtures, and lamps, and decorates with her own handmade herb and flower wreathes, family photos, and Haja's portrait art. The guest studio, on the 4th floor, has a restored kitchenette, stocked with breakfast items, teas, coffee, juice, and more. The private bath is just off the kitchenette. The room is named in honor of Cynthia's mother, "Josie," and early 19th century photos adorn the walls. There are comfortable chairs and a "vintage" desk w/ cushioned spindle-back wooden chair. The queen size bed has a new mattress and box spring, and is piled high with pillows . The studio's huge cathedral window allows a panoramic view of Central Harlem. Haja, who serves on the local Community Board, is a licentuate pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church; Haja also sings with the "Sons of Zion" Gospel group, and serves on several city-wide and community-based committees, all for the betterment of youth and the environment. Cynthia teaches creative writing at Marymount Manhattan College and is a full-time counselor in NYC's Adult education program. Cynthia has published two books of poems, is the author of published short fiction, and has written articles and editorials on a variety of subjects. Cynthia has also been a chef in several of New York's vegetarian/health-wise restaurants.
Access to all public transportation is within a short walk from the house. Buses going both uptown and downtown to either East or West Manhattan are only a few steps away. All major subway connections can be made on 125th Street. Midtown Manhattan is fifteen minutes at most by subway; downtown Manhattan twenty minutes to 1/2 hour. Manhattan's famous "Museum Mile" begins with "Museo del Barrio" on Fifth Avenue, a good walk or 3-5-minute bus-ride away. Harlem's renown cultural institutions--The Apollo, The Harlem Studio Museum, The National Black Theatre, The Schomberg Library, The Harlem Boys Choir, and The Dance Theatre of Harlem are a short walk away. We are next door to the famed Mt. Morris Historic District.
