Patricia Pates, the late Harold Dolly, and other residents of Harlem started Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA) in 1981. These folks met together to address the improvement of the quality of life in their neighborhood. MMPCIA is made up of even more concerned residents from homeowners to churches, from business people to volunteers. These people help to secure their buildings and landmarks, so that city officials and developers cannot tear down, alter buildings or build buildings.
Morris Park Community Improvement Association is helping the Harlem community to become more attractive. MMPCIA is not only making improvements for residents and frequent visitors, but also for Tourists, who are site seeing. They are building a hotel that will hold about 18-20 people (4.18 or 20 units?). It will have a small jazz club and a gift shop.
Local merchants around the neighborhood will provide these services. The hotel is being built where a correction/prison for women used to be. MMPCIA also has a homeowner's tour every year on the second Sunday of June. This allows people to view and tour other people's homes that had recently been built or renovated. Due to the will of devoted staff members such as, Ms. Valerie Bradley and others, Harlem will become one of New York City's largest attractions yet.
Ms. Valerie Bradley has been the executive director of MMPCIA for the last year and a half, a homeowner for 12 years and has a lot of experience improving the quality of life.(13. She has worked in many different fields and she even has a master's degree in journalism. She decided to start working with MMPCIA because she felt it was one of the best ways for her to give back to the community. Ms. Bradley is very active within the community. She manages the work of the organization, elects officials, and gets people's view on the preservation on their community.
She helps MMPCIA stay active in the community. So that those who have ideas that will help build up the community have a base to go to. Harlem is changing and changing fast. It is becoming a place where all people can feel safe and comfortable. No matter of race, nationality, or color. With the help of different organizations especially Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association, Harlem is well on its way
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Dacia has been with Harlem Live since July of 2008. Dacia has taken the role of leader of her team and acted the part as she leads her team successfully winning three presentation challenges. 
