Year of Reflection: Top 'Columbia Neighbors' Stories of 2024

The last month of the year signals a time for reflection. As we look forward to continuing to amplify local stories in 2025, we're taking a look at the ones that defined our 2024.

From recaps of Uptown celebrations to reads rooted in social impact, dive into this collection of the top Columbia Neighbors stories of this year.

January: A Legacy of Service Uptown

Where to Volunteer on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024 in Uptown NYC

Trailblazing civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of activism is rooted in social justice and service. From his poignant speeches at Riverside Church and Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, to the stretch of Harlem’s central corridor that bears his name, Dr. King’s Uptown connections run deep.

In January, to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service—on what would have been his 95th birthday—our readers were in search of actionable ways to tap into the power of local volunteerism. From Uptown beautification projects that visually transformed public spaces, to packing meals at soup kitchens to help combat food insecurity, our readers gravitated toward this curated list of volunteer opportunities and cultural events inspired by Dr. King’s contributions to societal change.

February: An Archival Celebration of Uptown Black History

From the Archives: Five Columbia Library Collections that Amplify Uptown Black History

From the Harlem Renaissance to the Civil Rights Movement, the Uptown streets have often been the backdrop of pivotal chapters in Black history. The voices and visions of influential leaders across social, political, and cultural spaces give a glimpse into these moments in time.

During Black History Month, our readers explored this collection of publicly accessible digital archives—housed at Columbia University Libraries—that celebrate pioneers of Uptown Black history. From rare television and radio interviews, poetry readings, and audio recordings that featured literary giant Amiri Baraka, to a collection that dived into grassroots healthcare efforts led by Harlem-based spouses Mamie Phipps Clark and Kenneth Clark, this read amplified the narratives of Uptown's historical figures.

March: Springing Into a New Career at Columbia

How to Navigate Your Job Search with the Columbia Employment Information Center

Spring is symbolic of transformation and change; it's also a season where job seekers often put the focus on writing the next chapter of their careers. Ahead of the 2024 Columbia University Career Expo—which took place on March 26—we put the spotlight on the Columbia Employment Information Center (CEIC).

Since its inception two decades ago, the community-driven program has supported and served nearly 58,000 individuals by providing guidance on resumes, interview skills, and strategies for securing jobs. We also chatted with Lamaka Opa, assistant director of IT in Columbia’s Facilities and Operations department, who shared how the CEIC was instrumental in helping him further his career journey at the University. "It was the idea that you don't get to the top of the mountain alone," he told Columbia Neighbors.

April: Caring for the Caregivers Uptown

How Local Parkinson's Caregivers Can Receive the Support They Need

In observance of National Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month, we put the spotlight on an Uptown group cultivated to provide supportive resources for caregivers of people navigating the disease. Facilitated by the movement disorders team within Columbia University Irving Medical Center's Department of Neurology, the Parkinson’s Caregivers Support Group—which meets monthly—was designed to build community, among those caring for loved ones, through candid conversations about challenges and tips for long-term care planning.

“At the end of the day, there is no rulebook, so we always encourage self-compassion and grace,” said Erika Adelman, the Parkinson's Foundation and CurePSP Center of Excellence Coordinator. “This is why psychoeducation—the process of teaching clients and their family about the nature of a disease from progression to treatment—is so important. Caregivers have left our sessions telling us that they have a newfound confidence in their roles, which is so important.”

May: A Columbia Grad with a Passion for Community Impact

East Harlem Native and Columbia Graduate Raul Porras-Sanchez Centers Humanity Through Social Work

Graduation season was in full swing this May and amid the festivities, we celebrated stories of Columbia graduates with connections to the Uptown community. Our readers turned to this inspiring story about East Harlem native and Columbia School of Social Work graduate Raul Porras-Sanchez. Porras-Sanchez—a developmental specialist and New York State certified special educator for New York's Early Intervention Program—reflected on his upbringing in East Harlem's Taft Houses, where he and his mom leaned on a community of dedicated social workers who provided holistic support as they navigated life's challenges, and how those coming-of-age experiences fueled his passion for social work.

“My community was a source of inspiration to keep pushing forward and create the life I dreamed of,” said Porras-Sanchez. “Along my journey—whether it was the work I wanted to do or my sexuality—I was always embraced.

"Sometimes I ask myself, how does a queer Puerto Rican kid from the projects of East Harlem, who grew up in a DV household, make it to be the first one to graduate from college and get two master’s degrees—one now being from Columbia—and work at the White House? I think a lot of it has to do with community and family, but also really good social workers who understood the impact of the dehumanization of folks who lived in public housing and committed their lives to fighting that.”

June: A Vibrant Celebration of Uptown Culture and Community

12 Photos From a Vibrant Manhattanville Community Day This June 2024

We ushered in the summer vibes early this year at Columbia’s annual Manhattanville Community Day celebration. Ahead of the highly touted event—which took place on June 8—our readers perused this guide to making the most of their experience at the full-filled communal celebration on Columbia’s Manhattanville campus.

With a range of festivities that included STEM education sessions for youth, classic film screenings, an Uptown-inspired restaurant crawl, and a dance party at the square, our neighbors were all about the Manhattanville Community Day buzz this month.

July: Olympians with Local Roots

Striving for Gold: 5 Olympians With Uptown Connections

In July, while all eyes were on the City of Light for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games, we reflected on the triumphant victories of Uptown-born, barrier-breaking Olympians who got their starts at neighborhood spaces like The Armory in Washington Heights and the Police Athletic League's Harlem Center.

Our readers dived into the stories of resilience of legends like Harlem native Nelson Vails, a road and track cyclist who became the first African American to win an Olympic cycling medal, and Bronx-born artistic gymnast John Orozco, whose balance beam dreams led him to become a member of the Men's artistic all-around Olympic team and gave him the opportunity to compete in the Men's artistic individual all-around in London in 2012.

August: A Cultural Cornerstone Turns 50!

Harlem Week 50: Five Events to Celebrate the Iconic Uptown Festival’s Anniversary

An Uptown summer wouldn’t be complete without Harlem Week, and as the cultural festival marked its 50th anniversary in August, our readers wanted in on the festivities. Originally named Harlem Day, the event—organized by a collective of local leaders and cultural architect Lloyd Williams in 1974—was designed to magnify the definitive elements of Harlem history and culture; ultimately leading to the creation of Harlem Week.

With a communal run/walk that paid homage to the legacy of lawyer, civil rights activist, and political leader Percy Sutton, a melodic Harlem Renaissance-inspired jazz concert, a massive celebration of local entrepreneurship, and crucial discussions about the community’s future, our readers wanted to take part in Harlem Week's rich legacy and experience its essence during its banner year.

September: Tapping into the Power of Volunteerism

Get Involved in Upper Manhattan with These 5 Amazing Volunteer Opportunities for Columbians

As the fall season approached, the spirit of community-driven volunteerism reigned. In September, our readers were interested in this roundup of opportunities to lend a helping hand locally. In conjunction with Columbia Community Service's 78th Annual Appeal, we highlighted Columbia-led programs and Uptown nonprofits—some of which are CCS grantees—leading social impact initiatives that faculty, staff, students, and community members could collectively support.

Among the local nonprofits highlighted were Corbin Hill Food Project, a Morningside Heights-based nonprofit leading initiatives centered on food access, justice, and sovereignty, and Harlem Grown, which focuses on urban sustainability and farming. Readers also learned more about Columbia Community Service and Community Impact at Columbia.

October: Uptown Visionaries with a Passion for Local Impact

Meet the 12th Cohort of A'Lelia Bundles Community Scholars

Columbia University’s A’Lelia Bundles Community Scholars initiative carries a legacy of community-focused innovation, and in October, our readers wanted the scoop on the new faces of the program’s 12th cohort. The latest class of Bundles Scholars included an independent filmmaker, youth sports advocate, philanthropist, arts enthusiast, and activist.

On Oct. 17, they were welcomed by other local-impact visionaries who were part of past cohorts at a reception hosted at the Faculty House on Columbia’s Morningside campus. During the celebration, past and current scholars reflected on their journeys with the program and shared what they envisioned for the future of their projects.

November: A Season of Gratitude Uptown

5+ Thanksgiving Drives and Dinners for Uptown Community Members

This Thanksgiving holiday, the spirit of gratitude flowed throughout the Uptown community. From meal distributions to make sure local residents could experience the magic of the season, to community members organizing holiday-inspired meetups to foster connection, this roundup of Thanksgiving turkey drives and dinners throughout Harlem, Washington Heights, and The Bronx was popular among our readers.

Additionally, this season, as a continuation of the University’s mission to serve Upper Manhattan residents and support local nonprofits, Columbia Facilities and Operations (CUFO) distributed 300 meal kits to Manhattanville and Grant residents, with the support of Skanska USA, and Columbia Community Service in partnership with CUFO, Columbia Dining, and Sysco, donated 1,200 frozen turkeys.

December: Luminous Celebrations of Community in Harlem

15 Photos From the Harlem Holiday Lights Parade and 'Lights on the Plaza' That Glow

Harlem’s festive holiday lights celebrations illuminated the beauty of connection. This photo recap of memorable moments from the 125th Street Business Improvement District's Harlem Holiday Lights Parade and Lights on the Plaza on Columbia's Manhattanville campus was a favorite among our readers. From avenue to avenue, our neighbors came together to embrace the season with festive music, enchanting floats, and cups of hot cocoa.

We hope the warmth of community follows our readers into the New Year!