About Us
History
In less than two decades Harlem Little League has become this community’s best-known youth sports organization, garnering national and international attention. In 1989, with 129 players on eight teams, it became the first officially chartered Little League in Harlem in over 20 years. The League, the model for Little League’s Baseball, Inc.’s Urban Initiative, now draws 600 boys and girls ages 5 to 18 playing on 42 teams, including two teams for disabled children and over 250 adult volunteers who perform every task necessary to run the league. Summer of 2002, our 11-12 year-old All Star team reached the 2002 Little League World Series to finish #6 in the world, #3 in the United States and #1 in New York State. Harlem Little League’s goal is “Building Big League Citizens” while playing baseball. The League has received numerous awards for its work in the community. Co-Founders Dwight and Iris Raiford are glad that their eight-year-old son, Joshua, urged them to start a Little League in 1989.
Special Achievements
| 2002: | Congressional Resolution – Congressional Record, September 13, 2002 |
| 2002: | Special Achievement Award – Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce |
| 2002: | 3rd Place (USA) – Little League World Series; Mid-Atlantic Little League Champions; New York State Little League Champions; Section 3 Little League Champions; District 23 Little League Champions |
| 1996: | Abyssinian Development Corporation’s Community Service Award to founders |
| 1995: | NY Urban League’s Building Brick Award (Manhattan Chapter) |
| 1991: | Stop the Violence Fund; Riverside Club’s Community Service |
| 1990: | NY State’s Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service; Urban Coalition’s Family Achievement Award. |
| 1989: | Omega Psi (Kappa Omicron Chapter) Citizen of the Year |
| Nominated for President Bush’s 1991 and 1989 Volunteer Action Award. |
Board of Directors
- Jeanette Spencer, President
- Brynne Clarke, VP, Special Events
- Carlos Costa
- Catrice Davis, Coaching Coordinator
- Malcolm deCastro, Umpire-In-Chief
- Nadine Holmes
- James Hudgins, Treasurer and Sponsor Chair
- Morris McWilliams, VP, Baseball
- Danielle Officer, Secretary
- Victor Prince, Safety Officer
- Dwight Raiford, Assistant Umpire-In-Chief
- Iris Raiford, Information Officer and Player Agent
- Trevor Reid
- Gwendolyn Scott, VP, Softball
- Tony Spencer, Equipment Chair
Contact Information
| Harlem Little League PO Drawer 5540 – Manhattanville Station New York, NY 10027 |
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| TELEPHONE | 212-222-1541 |
| FAX | 212-665-7798 |
| contactus@harlemlittleleague.org |