Oral history interview with Delali Kodah, 2021

Biographical Note

Delali Kodah was born in New York City and has lived in Harlem for the past 20 years. A graduate from Spelman College (BA) and Baruch College (MPA), Kodah has worked as an educator for the New York City Department of Education (DOE) for over 20 years. She is a staunch advocate for educational equity and the success of Black and Latinx students. Kodah's father is an immigrant from Ghana, who graduated from Columbia University's Graduate School for Engineering. He met her mother while she was working for the Parks Department in Morningside Park. Kodah's mother went on to become a long-time educator in the DOE. As of 2021, Kodah was an assistant principal at Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts in Harlem

Scope and Contents

As a long-time Harlem resident and educator, Delali Kodah shares her perspective about Columbia University's engagement with the Harlem community to help combat the negative consequences of racism in employment, healthcare, housing, and business. She also shares her perspective on how Columbia University can make improvements moving forward. The interview focuses on the following key themes: power and control, equity, communication, and accountability and responsibility

Subjects

• Abreu, Jala, interviewer.
• Assistant school principals--Interviews.
• Columbia University.
• Community and college--United States.
• Discrimination in employment--United States.
• Discrimination in housing--United States.
• Discrimination in medical care--United States.
• Harlem (New York, N.Y.)--History.
• Harlem (New York, N.Y.)--Race relations.
• Harlem (New York, N.Y.)--Social conditions.
• Interviews.
• Kodah, Delali--Interviews.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Racism--United States.

Access Conditions

Copyright by Delali Kodah. The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York hold a non-exclusive license to enable library activities