A community movement born right here in Harlem, inspired by the belief that one act of generosity can spark a wave of kindness that transforms a neighborhood.
@harlemnyc1
It began simply. David W. Hanzal, Harlem community organizer and dedicated resident for over two decades, started leaving snacks, water, and a heartfelt bilingual letter on the wall outside his fifth-floor walkup apartment. Written in English and Spanish, it spelled out what it truly means to be a good neighbor.
A door camera quietly captured what happened next. Neighbors stopped, smiled, took something, shared something. When those moments were edited together and posted online, the response was immediate, over 183,000 people watched and felt something real.
That response told David everything he needed to know: people are hungry for kindness. They just need someone to go first.
The Harlem Kindness Project is a growing community collective dedicated to expanding generosity beyond a single doorstep, through organized acts of goodwill, shared resources, and the simple power of showing up for your neighbors.
Strong neighborhoods are built one genuine connection at a time. Every act of kindness strengthens the fabric of Harlem.
When you receive generosity, you're inspired to pass it on. That ripple effect is the core of everything we do, and it works.
Not everyone has access to the same tools and opportunities. We leverage what we have to lift everyone we can.
Harlem resident for over 20 years. Community builder. Tenant advocate. International educator. President, Manhattanville Tenant Association.
Read Press Coverage →David has been woven into the life of Harlem for decades. As President of the Manhattanville Tenant Association, he has been a steadfast voice for residents navigating the pressures of housing and displacement across the 5 buildings Manhattanville represents, and his reach extends far beyond that. He has shared that expertise by organizing over 10 Tenant Associations across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, ensuring neighbors everywhere have a fighting chance.
What sets David apart is that he has been in the trenches himself. A reporter followed him for over five months at the height of his own personal housing struggles, documenting a fight that mirrored the very battles his neighbors face every day. That experience gives him something no credential can, a genuine ability to relate to the fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty that comes with housing insecurity. Through that lived experience, combined with years of community work alongside non-profits and Community Board 9, he has helped hundreds of tenants face their own struggles with the knowledge, resources, and steady presence needed to win.
A former Community Board 9 Member who served for over 8 years, David contributed across the Housing Committee, Economic Development Committee, Cannabis Task Force, RKO Hamilton Theatre Task Force, and Media Task Force, bringing informed, community-centered perspective to some of Harlem's most pressing civic conversations.
Beyond advocacy, David moonlights as STEAM Program Coordinator, IT Operations lead, Website Administrator, Advisory Board Member, and classroom instructor at Paint 4 Peace Children's Village, helping shape the next generation of Harlem's young leaders through hands-on education and technology.
Recognized with the Leader of the Year Award from P.A.L.A.N.T.E. and citations from New York City Council Members, Borough Presidents, and state elected officials, his commitment to neighbors runs deep.
His story has been told in American Express Business Class, on community stages, and most recently in a viral TikTok watched by more than 183,000 people who recognized something authentic in a simple basket outside a Harlem door.
This is just the beginning. The Harlem Kindness Project is a living, growing effort, shaped entirely by the community it serves.
Expanding the door-station model to buildings and blocks throughout Harlem, stocked, maintained, and loved by neighbors.
Coming SoonOrganized collections of school supplies, hygiene products, and household essentials, distributed with care, not charity.
Coming SoonPartnering with local schools and youth programs to cultivate the next generation of community stewards right here in Harlem.
Coming SoonA living record of generosity across our community, stories, videos, and moments that document the movement as it grows.
Coming Soon