Kai Cogsville was born and bred in Harlem’s Sugar Hill section of Harlem. He’s seen the evolution of his neighborhood, and says there is no community in the world like it.
“It kind of felt like growing up in a big family, where people really rooted for you and were helping you and wanted to help you win,” Cogsville said, noting that the changes have been “scary” as time and development places a new face on the area. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without that community. It’s essential to me and it’s why we do the work we do.”
Now at age 34, he is passionate about addressing housing inequity in his community and is helping to lead the fight. He created the Defend Harlem online campaign for the New York Interfaith Commission for Housing Equity, where he serves as digital communications director.
Over the last three years, as a result of the campaign’s founding in 2022, the group has held several rallies and town hall meetings, often working with Harlem elected leaders and in partnership with other community organizations such as Parents Supporting Parents NY and United Black Caucus. Some of the meetings are held at venues such as Mount Olivet Baptist Church, in front of the State Office Building, and recently at Comedy in Harlem. The turnout of young people is one thing Cogsville says gives him hope that solutions are out there. He’s even become an open speaker at some of these events.
“I think it’s important that people see someone like themselves that’s involved in these issues. I think it makes it more attainable and shows that these are issues everyone should be involved with,” Cogsville said.
Civic engagement is something that runs in Cogsville’s family. His father, Donald was founder and president of the now-defunct Harlem Urban Development Corporation.
The Interfaith Commission, which is made up of faith leaders across Harlem, was established in 2012 to tackle the displacement of Black and Brown Harlem residents as well as respond to Columbia’s growing encroachment of property in Harlem. As opposed to pushing for more “affordable housing,” Defend Harlem and the commission focus on addressing the housing concerns for people making a minimum wage to $65,000, which represents much of Harlem.
The main housing development where they are looking to address this affordability issue is the controversial One45 development on 145th Street. Other developments they are focusing on include the Lenox Terrace expansion and the Lincoln Correctional Facility site, noting that because it is state property and there are fewer burdens to contend with, the level of unaffordability of the proposed apartments is a “disgrace” — something State Sen. Cordell Cleare has also called out. This year, the commission acquired nonprofit status and is looking to expand to provide job opportunities at the start of 2026.
Over the last two years, as a result of the campaign, the group has held several rallies and town hall meetings, often working with Harlem leaders like Cleare, some of which have taken place at venues such as Mount Olivet Baptist Church. The turnout of young people is one thing Cogsville says gives him hope that solutions are out there.
Culturally, Cogsville believes Harlem is in a great place but needs to be better monetized, noting popular attractions like Soapbox Presents are a great opportunity to create economic opportunity and support local businesses.
“I think we need to start leveraging our cultural impact for our community and create more jobs,” Cogsville said.
One of the major economic initiatives that the Commission has been pushing for is its “Harlem on the Hudson” plan, which would allow the Henry Hudson waterfront and West Harlem Piers to become an economic generator for the local Harlem community and be owned by a local Harlem development company.
“This wouldn’t just be an incredible win to celebrate the vast history and culture of Harlem and uptown, but also be a win for Washington Heights, for Edgewater, for the Hudson Yards, for Jacob Javits Convention Center, and a lot of other properties that are on the waterfront that would be connected through different entertainment and historical boats and cruises,” Cogsville said.
After Columbia purchased Fairway Properties in 2022, Cogsville says more ownership is needed to go to Harlem. The Commission has built connections with entrepreneurs such as the owners behind Harlem Rocket, a Black-owned boat touring company that provides tours of Harlem on the Hudson River.
“This needs to be about maximizing the community and bringing immense tax dollars to the city to create as many local and business opportunities as possible,” Cogsville said. “The Harlem community and Washington Heights indictment deserve that immensely, especially what happened with Hudson Yards and how we lost out on that project. You know, we need our own development project.”
The Commission has worked with several local and state-wide officials, but they say it will require subsidies and partnerships with Empire State Development Corporation, and ultimately, passage from the governor. They have reached out to mayoral candidates Mamdani and Cuomo.
According to Cogsville, the direction of the Harlem community will rely entirely on the choices made by those in power and how these issues are addressed.
“It’s the Black Mecca, but it’s about our culture,” Cogsville said, thinking about Harlem and its future. “I think it shows the potential and how much further we can go, and how that influences a worldwide thing, but it hasn’t even come close to its potential in terms of economics and opportunities that it can build.”
The post Kai Cogsville and Defend Harlem are leading the charge against housing inequity appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
