The Riverside Hawks Program has been a staple in the Harlem community since it was created in 1961. Our mission is to improve the lives, academic opportunities, and career prospects of the young people in our community by using sports as a vehicle. Especially now as we emerge from two crises, the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing necessity for wide-reaching social justice, the work of the Riverside Hawks is even more essential. Almost 70% of the 600+ children we serve come from the Washington Heights, Harlem, and Bronx neighborhoods.
The strength of our basketball program is legendary and nationally recognized. Our alumni roster includes NBA players such as Donovan Mitchell, Ty Jerome, Eric Paschal, Chris Mullin, Tiny Archibald, Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson, Ed Pinckney, Metta World Peace, Elton Brand, and Malik Sealy. However, our core mission always remains helping boys and girls attain better academic outcomes and opportunities. Our students have excelled off the court.
- 100% of our student athletes graduated high school in 2022
- 100% of our 2022 graduates went on to college or post grad prep schools
- Since 2020, our students received over $5 million in college scholarships and grants (over 4 years) and over $550,000 in prep school scholarships