Kofi Boateng Appointed Executive Director of West Harlem Local Development Corporation, NY

Harlem, NY
The Board of Directors of the West Harlem Local Development Corporation has appointed Kofi Boateng as Executive Director. Mr. Boateng brings over 15 years of executive experience in human services, finance and non-profit management.

"The West Harlem Local Development Corporation is proud to have Mr. Boateng as our new Executive Director," said Donald Notice, Chairman of the WHLDC. "Mr. Boateng's vast experience and proven track record of managing large non-profit organizations will go a long way to secure WHLDC's role in providing services to the West Harlem community."

As Executive Director, Mr. Boateng will devise and implement long-term strategic plans for growth of the WHLDC, evaluate community projects for funding, and help implement the provisions of the Community Benefits Agreement to benefit West Harlem.

The historic agreement between Columbia University and the WHLDC will provide quality-of-life benefits to the West Harlem Community such employment and economic development, education and job training, and affordable housing programs.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of the West Harlem Local Development Corporation – an organization that will make a huge difference for the people of Harlem for many years to come," said Kofi Boateng.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Boateng was the Founder and CEO of Traders International, an organization that facilitated international trade and direct foreign investments between Africa and other countries. He had previously served as the Chief Operating Officer for the World Trade Centers Association, where he is credited with turning around the organization's previous year's reported financial loss to profitability within eight months, and bringing several African countries to WTCA.

Mr. Boateng previously was the Chief Operating Officer of the Africa-America Institute (AAI) for seven years. The AAI is a government funded organization that supports scholarships for Africans seeking advanced degrees from US universities with the intention of returning to improve the quality of life in Africa.

Mr. Boateng also served as the Executive Director of the National Puerto Rican Forum, an organization that provides adult literacy and education and job readiness programs for Latinos.

Mr. Boateng holds a B.S. in Economics and Administrative Sciences from Yale University; and a M.S. in Professional Accounting from Northeastern University. He is a Certified Public Accountant. He is working on his PhD in Finance at Walden University.

Contact: Juanita Scarlett, 917-280-4885
http://westharlemdc.org