RYC President/CEO

Bervin Harris, Co-founder, President and CEO of the Renaissance Youth Center (RYC), has made it his mission to help young people reach their full potential. He co-founded RYC in 2001, to serve and empower young people through music, sports, academic and enrichment programs. Under his leadership, tens of thousands of students have learned music but more importantly thousands of individuals have been positively impacted by his work through programs like the Music With a Message Band (RYC’s renowned music group) who has performed in over 1,000 + shows since RYC’s founding. 

Mr. Harris is a visionary leader as well as a hands-on youth program leader who continually enhances programs to better serve young people and the community as a whole. RYC reflects this vision and the passion that he has, as each program space at the center is uniquely designed by him, including a zoology room, a robotics room, an astronomy room, music rooms, a learning lab, a research room, and academic and enrichment program rooms. Mr. Harris is a man of the people, who has developed strong partnerships with many well-known organizations, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, elected officials, and community leaders, to help advance the organization’s mission. 

Mr. Harris grew up playing several musical instruments as well as playing many sports, and he also has been serving the community through his nonprofit work since he was a teen. At the age of 16, he founded his first not-for-profit organization, Youth With Direction, which focused on eradicating drugs in the Freeport and Roosevelt neighborhoods of Long Island. The Freeport Mayor along with others recognized him with a Citation for his initiative that made a positive difference in the community.  

He has over 35 years of experience serving youth in New York City through various initiatives. He developed job training programs, founded and led parent-oriented programs, coordinated talent shows, ran basketball and track programs, and created, managed, and hosted a teen television variety show. These are just some of his projects from the comprehensive list of projects he has led. He has received dozens of awards from elected officials and renowned organizations for helping bring about positive changes in the communities he served.

Mr. Harris was recently invited to The White House for a Community Service Award and The New York State Assembly recognized him for the work he is doing in the Bronx. In addition, he is an accomplished musician, singer, and songwriter. He is also a celebrated public speaker, a mentor, a track and basketball coach, and a music teacher. Most importantly, he is a father figure for many young people. 

In both 2022 and 2023, Mr. harris has been invited to the United nations to speak on STEM, Technology, and the 17 SDGs.

In August of 2023, Bronx Borough president, Vanessa Gibson, presented MWAM and Mr. Harris with a Proclamation stating August 16th will now be celebrated as Renaissance Youth Center Day in the Bronx.

Mr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Comparative Creative Arts Program from SUNY College at Old Westbury and holds a management certificate from Fordham University.