SOCIAL JUSTICE

Bervin Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of Renaissance Youth Center brings over 30 years of social development experience in the areas of youth services and community development. As CEO, he has helped create and manage several successful programs for Renaissance throughout the Bronx community. While overseeing the vision and development for Renaissance Youth Center, Harris also manages, writes and directs for our MWAM Band, performing with them in close to 100 shows a year. Harris is also the Creator, Director and Host of the TLTsquared show (Teens live to tape), a teen television variety show. Harris’ new initiative is the Citywide Renaissance Youth Council where over 1,000 teens are currently signed up. He has created many partnerships for Renaissance including: The NYPD (P.O.P program), Carnegie Hall and Department of Probation (NeON program), NYC Parks Department (through various community park initiatives), Berklee College of Music (Pulse Program), and many more. Prior to Renaissance, he was the program director at a Beacon program where he more than tripled the annual budget and was recognized as one of the 4 “Model Beacons” by the Department of Youth and Community Development. Harris is also an artist on Capital Records where as an accomplished musician, singer, song writer he has produced and written songs for Hip Hop artists like KRS-1 to R&B artist like Mary J Blige to Jazz artist like Herbie Hancock. Harris has also written the music score for the stage play I Sing 4 Luv and recently co- wrote and directed the stage play Bronxside Story. Harris received his undergraduate degree from Old Westbury College and management certificate from Fordham University.