WHAT’S SHAKING UP HARLEM?

Nandi Moton and Lerato Rapoo at the UN Headquarters next to Koffi Annan

Two powerful forces are shaking up the Harlem community for the better. For Mrs. Nandi Moton, former WFWP chairwoman in Georgia and current representative for WFWP in Harlem, and Rev. Juanita Pierre-Louis, vice president of WFWP USA, Harlem is home and is an exciting place for opportunity and growth. On July 12, Mrs. Moton, who was appointed WFWP representative in April, initiated the "Prayer Walk for Peace."

Rev. Juanita Pierre-Louis, Leland Hazlewood and Ms. Phyllis Lampkin, Sam Kim

Every month now, the WFWP group starts its walk at the Harlem State Office Building, walks through the Manhattanville community, and prays for the families that are affected by gang violence. Mrs. Moton says, "We need to revive and reeducate the communities about the values of family and faith." The first prayer walk was started with the support of Congressman Charles B. Rangel.

Rev. Pierre-Louis came up with a service project called Spa Sundays, and "4 West 43rd Street Spa Sundays" is where the WFWP New York Chapter provides an afternoon of relaxation, offering massages and facials to those who attend. WFWP also invites alternative medical and health specialists to speak and educate WFWP members and friends on what they can do about keeping up a healthy lifestyle. Rev. Pierre-Louis says, "This is one small way we can really take care of and pamper our sisters."

For Mrs. Moton and Rev. Pierre-Louis, their biggest challenge is to get more youth involved with WFWP activities. They are working to organize afterschool programs in Harlem. Mrs. Moton says, "To get younger people involved, you have to think creatively, through art." This upcoming semester, they are working with Rev. Williams. Mrs. Moton wants to start an afterschool radio station program, to educate the youth on how to organize a radio program and how to speak and present themselves on the air and also in a professional setting.

This duo is always working and inspiring each other with their different ideas and exciting projects. With Rev. Pierre-Louis as mentor to youthful and determined Mrs. Moton, there is nothing that these two women cannot accomplish!