S3|EP6: Leading through Education, Faith & Justice

On this new episode of CitizensNYC Live, we talk with Rue Parkin, the Executive Director of HelpNYC about their experiences being queer and unhoused and how they bring that personal experience to their work of providing resources for unhoused, unsafe, unstable, or under-supported communities.

Rue Parkin (he/they/them) was street and shelter homeless for several years in New York City. Struggling with mental health and substance use concerns they struggled, as did various service providers, to find resources that were appropriate for their needs. It was a continual challenge to find access to low-barrier services.

In 2016, having lived in independent supported housing since 2010 and being in Recovery, Rue started a list of resources on their phone that they would text messages to friends and others in need. The text contained information on food assistance programs, substance use treatment programs, and Drop-In and Shelter Intake Centers.  Eventually this became helpNYC.

In 2022, helpNYC started Community Outreach to help New Yorkers in need in the community.  Outreach Teams partner with community organizations and government agencies to setup up tables at events, career fairs, and other engagement activities to spread the word about the helpNYC.info Resource Navigator and provide direct connections to helpNYC Listing Partners.

As of February 2023, through the helpNYC.info Resource Navigator and our Community Outreach, we have helped over 60,000 New Yorkers since 2018.

On this new episode of CitizensNYC Live, we talk with Von Harris, a disability advocate, Advertising Coach, Podcaster, and D&I Specialist about how disability advocacy rests at the heart of our work to bring communities together and create a more inclusive world. 

In Von’s own words: “inclusion and diversity improve every workspace whether in-office or virtual. I believe in being an advocate and a voice for underrepresented communities. I use this passion to drive the strategic alignment of each piece in its place, which has truly been the key to success for me. Every day brings another opportunity to help guide each person, each puzzle piece toward its rightful place toward the bigger picture.” 

On this new episode of CitizensNYC Live, we laugh along with Dr. Cheng Zhu, a Harvard lecturer and innovation consultant who studies and educates on the ways humor can improve professional development and success. 

Dr. Zhu has served as Research Associate at the Harvard Business School, Research Assistant at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Center for Public Leadership, Faculty at the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Senior Faculty and Researcher at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). 

We’re shinning a light on an individual who’s always working to bring together and improve his community: Christ Follower Rev. Raschaad Hoggard of Abyssinian Baptist Church. 

He’s a prime example of someone who does his life’s work by combatting social injustice, sees education as a central part of driving change, and encourages others to share the light within themselves.  

Episode Note: Our host CitizensNYC CEO Dr. Rahsaan Harris was inspired by our founder Osborn Elliot’s book Men at the Top (Harper, 1959). In it, Elliot studies the attitudes and ambitions of leaders at the top, after he interviewed over 200 top U.S. executives. Stay tuned for the next chapter of the series as we explore what leadership looks today. 

True leadership takes resilience. Just ask our guest, Jesse Leon. Now a Social Impact Consultant & author of the book, "I'm Not Broken", he had to overcome his experience being trafficked as a young sex worker. Jesse shares what it took for him to bounce back from that trauma, learn how to accept himself, and how finding and creating community in NYC played a key role in finding his voice as a leader. 

Episode Note: Our host CitizensNYC CEO Dr. Rahsaan Harris was inspired by our founder Osborn Elliot’s book Men at the Top (Harper, 1959). In it, Elliot studies the attitudes and ambitions of leaders at the top, after he interviewed over 200 top U.S. executives. Stay tuned for the next chapter of the series as we explore what leadership looks today.

Our guest is Council Member Joseph C. Borelli is the Minority Leader of the New York City Council. He represents the 51st Council District, which encompasses Staten Island’s South Shore. CM Borelli tells us his how profession allows him to be “the best kind of philanthropist.”

Listen as Borelli extends what philanthropy means beyond his generosity in funding of environmental and autism initiatives in Staten island, to his generosity in spirit. Learn why developing real friendships with government colleagues is important, regardless of political party.

Episode Note: Our host CitizensNYC CEO Dr. Rahsaan Harris was inspired by our nonprofit’s founder Osborn Elliot’s book Men at the Top (Harper, 1959). In it, Elliot studies the attitudes and ambitions of leaders at the top, after he interviewed over 200 top U.S. executives.

Now in Season 3, Dr. Harris sits down with top leaders in NYC government, business, culture and community, and reframes Oz Elliot’s Men at the Top
chapter titles to ask them:

1. Who are you, professionally and personally?
2. Where are you ‘up from’?
3. Politics: Together we stand?

Stay tuned for the next chapter of this intriguing series.

There’s nothing wrong with having a “fresh start” from time to time. Our guest, Paul H. Deutch (CitizensNYC Board Member & EVP of Omni Agent Solutions) specializes in just that! 

During the first half of this episode, you’ll hear all about Paul’s journey as a bankruptcy attorney and how that's evolved to more business development work these days. Toward the end of this episode, we’ll dive into our “Men At The Top” discussion.

“Men At The Top: A Study of U.S. Men , Their Lives, Methods and Attitudes” was written by CitizensNYC Founder, Oz Elliott, back in 1959. Of course times have changed since then, but current CitizensNYC CEO, Rahsaan Harris is using the titles of some chapters as conversation starters for our leaders to speak about.

October 17, 2022 - Join us at our new location, Tavern on the Green in Central Park, for cocktails, dinner, and music as we come together to be All In for NYC and rethink, reimagine, and rebuild the greatest city in the world.

CitizensNYC makes direct cash grants for neighborhood-led projects, and neighborhood businesses that improve the quality of life in New York City. We are providing $1 million in grants to New Yorkers on the front lines of rebuilding our city. Find out more information here.

When you have a big goal in mind, just getting started can be the most important part. CEO Rahsaan Harris & Podcast Producer Melaine Morgan reflect on the CitizensNYC podcast journey, while also shining a light on Imani Cruz (Co-Founder of Harlem Cares Collective). Hear about how she started motivating her community to keep the Harlem streets clean, while also balancing a 9-to-5 that is in a completely different line of work.

They’ll also dive into a leadership discussion about “Men At The Top: A Study of U.S. Men , Their Lives, Methods and Attitudes,” which was written by CitizensNYC Founder, Oz Elliott, back in 1959. Of course times have changed since then, but current CitizensNYC CEO, Rahsaan Harris, is using ideas from the book as conversation starters for today’s leaders to speak about.

Don’t forget! October 17, 2022 - Join us at our new location, Tavern on the Green in Central Park, for cocktails, dinner, and music as we come together to be All In for NYC and rethink, reimagine, and rebuild the greatest city in the world.

CitizensNYC makes direct cash grants for neighborhood-led projects, and neighborhood businesses that improve the quality of life in New York City. We are providing $1 million in grants to New Yorkers on the front lines of rebuilding our city. Find out more information here.

Welcome to season 3 of the CitizensNYC: LIVE podcast! We're back to continue bringing New Yorkers from all walks of life together to chat about the city we all know and love.

In this episode, we'll be joined by Kelley A. Cornish (Senior Partner at Paul, Weiss) & Nitiya Walker (Executive Director and Founder of Seeds of Fortune Inc.).

You'll hear them chat about the challenges of being a female leader and how they're empowering others in their community.

October 17, 2022 - Join us at our new location, Tavern on the Green in Central Park, for cocktails, dinner, and music as we come together to be All In for NYC and rethink, reimagine, and rebuild the greatest city in the world.

CitizensNYC makes direct cash grants for neighborhood-led projects, and neighborhood businesses that improve the quality of life in New York City. We are providing $1 million in grants to New Yorkers on the front lines of rebuilding our city. Find out more information here.