Explore our impactful case studies showcasing transformative community initiatives.

These success stories highlight our commitment to fostering sustainable growth and capacity building in inner-city neighborhoods.

Harriet 5.0 provided leadership, strategy, and coordination to revitalize the Light A Candle For Literacy Parade & Children’s Book Festival, an annual event celebrating reading, community, and culture in a historically underserved neighborhood.

What began as a grassroots tradition was reimagined into a joyful and educational celebration that brings together families, schools, authors, and local organizations. Harriet 5.0 supported everything from marketing to volunteer coordination to fundraising, helping the event grow in reach and deepen its message: literacy is power.

This case demonstrates how Harriet 5.0 blends strategic planning with cultural celebration to build programs that are both meaningful and memorable—while supporting literacy, equity, and joy.

Harriet 5.0 led a successful effort to fund and implement a public art project featuring nationally renowned illustrator London Ladd. Through a competitive grant process, we commissioned two powerful murals—one honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the other celebrating Frederick Douglass, both of whom had historical ties to Syracuse.

This project exemplifies Harriet 5.0’s approach to bringing together funders, artists, and residents to reclaim space and narrative. From planning to execution, the initiative uplifted local identity, engaged community voices, and brought historical relevance into public view—turning walls into powerful symbols of legacy and pride.

Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today (TNT) Southside stands as a model of what’s possible when authentic engagement and capacity building intersect. Harriet 5.0 leadership partnered with local residents and stakeholders to transform TNT from a small, underutilized monthly meeting into a vibrant hub for neighborhood advocacy and leadership development.

Through intentional facilitation, leadership coaching, and the development of a comprehensive 5-Year Neighborhood Plan, Harriet 5.0 leadership helped create structure, sustainability, and momentum. TNT Southside emerged as a respected, action-oriented forum where residents led initiatives, shaped policy conversations, and fostered deeper civic participation.

This case highlights Harriet 5.0’s ability to turn informal gatherings into organized, empowered networks that advance shared community goals.