Harold Hunter Foundation
Harold Hunter Foundation (HHF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 in honor of professional skateboarder Harold Hunter and dedicated to improving the skateboarding community of New York City and beyond by supporting and promoting access to skateboarding for underserved youth.[1][2][3][4]
History
[edit]Founding
[edit]The Harold Hunter Foundation started organically by friends and family who believed there should be a foundation to honor Hunter's life and spirit.[1] Jessica Forsyth, whose sister was best friends with Harold, and her family helped spearhead the founding of the organization alongside Harold's brother Ronald and friend Jefferson Pang.[1][5]
Programs
[edit]Skate Camp Scholarship Program
[edit]Beginning in 2007, the Harold Hunter Foundation set out to offer scholarships to inner city kids to go to Woodward Camp. Hunter loved camp Woodward when he went, not as a camper, but as a visiting am and pro.[1] By developing a Woodward scholarships program, the HHF set out to extend this opportunity to go to skateboarding camp to underserved youth who might not otherwise have the chance.[6] Since the beginning of the program, the HHF has expanded its scholarships to other skate camps; granting more than 200 need-based scholarships for NYC youth to attend skate camps including: Camp Woodward, the Element YMCA Skate Camp, and the Homage Skateboard Academy.[7]
Harold Hunter Day
[edit]Ever year, the Harold Hunter Foundation hosts an annual skate jam honoring the life of Harold Hunter.[8][9][7]
Education Initiatives
[edit]The HHF programming has expanded beyond offering skate camp scholarships. The HHF now provides a spectrum of community programming and educational experiences geared towards underserved communities.[7]
Panels - HHF in the Classroom
[edit]HHF brings skateboarding professionals including Chad Muska, Luis Tolentino, Rodney Smith, Steve Rodriguez, Donny Barley, and others into classroom settings to speak to a range of audiences from school assemblies to selected mentee groups of talented skaters to students with behavioral issues.[7]
KICKFLIP Digital Media Training Program
[edit]The Kickflip Digital Media training program is a HHF initiative with an aim to train hard to teach youth digital media skills.[10][11]
International Service Skate Trips
[edit]The Harold Hunter Foundation takes international service skate trips, bringing underprivileged American youth around the world to skate and do skate activism.[12]
Merchandise collaborations
[edit]The Harold Hunter Foundation has collaborated with a spectrum of brands including HUF, Adidas, Zoo York, Nike, and others to make merchandise commemorating Harold Hunter with proceeds going to the foundation.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Interview: Jessica Forsyth of The Harold Hunter Foundation". Green Label. 2014-01-25. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ Perler, Elie (May 31, 2019). "Harold Hunter Day Marks 13 Years with Weekend of Skateboarding Events". Bowery Boogie. Archived from the original on 2020-07-24. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "NEW ZOO YORK COLLECTION PAYS TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY SKATER HAROLD HUNTER". MR Magazine. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "Charity Navigator - Unrated Profile for The Harold Hunter Foundation". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "'Legends Never Die': Dame Dash, Cam'ron & Larry Clark Celebrate Late Great Harold Hunter In NYC". Vibe. 2014-04-04. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "Harold Hunter Foundation - Woodward Scholarship (2010)". NYSkateboarding.com. 2010-04-14. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ a b c d "Camp Woodward Skateboarding | BlackBook". Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ Meronek, Rob. "Event Details: Harold Hunter Day Presented by adidas". TheBoardr. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ Peng, Matt. "adidas Skateboarding Unveils Harold Hunter Day Weekend Program". Freshness Mag. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "The Kickflip Program: Connected Learning in Action". Hive NYC. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ Harold, Hunter. "KICKFLIP Program Guiding Principles For Engaging Hard To Reach Youth" (PDF).
- ^ "Skateboarding Is Not a Crime—It's a Lifeline". TakePart. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "Report: adidas x Mark Gonzales x Harold Hunter Foundation Art Benefit". Monster Children. 2019-08-13. Retrieved 2020-07-24.