Small Harlem Nonprofit Group Draws High-Profile Support

A small nonprofit sports program, Harlem Youth Soccer, is suddenly finding itself sharing the spotlight with celebrities, financiers, corporations, politicians, and famous athletes, reports The New York Times.

The group had a $1,250-a-seat fund-raising event in Manhattan this week that was expected to draw former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton as honorary chairmen, famous soccer players Pelé and David Beckham, as well as representatives from major companies, including Visa and Nike.

Many people have been wondering how the organization has managed to gather so much star power for a neighborhood that has previously shown little interest in soccer and faces a shortage of playing fields.

Rahsaan Harris, the program’s chairman, explained the recent fanfare. “It’s Harlem, so it’s a cultural icon and it represents a challenging neighborhood — people think of it as a concrete jungle. Connecting a world icon like Harlem to a world sport — it’s another frontier for soccer,” he said.

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