Oral history interview with Janet Rodriguez, 2021

Biographical Note

Janet Rodriguez is Founder and CEO of SoHarlem, Inc. SoHarlem was established in 2011 to ensure creative and local people participate in the economic development of the Manhattanville Factory District in New York City. SoHarlem is dedicated to forging partnerships that contribute to transforming Manhattanville's creative spirit, cultural economy, and public spaces through mentoring, training, and educational programs. From 2001 through 2009, Rodriguez served as Vice President of the JPMorgan Chase Global Philanthropy Group. She provided leadership and support to the National Community Relations team, which was charged with developing and implementing philanthropic strategies in local communities. She was also the proprietor of Straight Out of Harlem, Inc. (SOH) in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem. SOH produced public programs, exhibitions, and salons that explored contemporary cultural issues, and promoted the sale of art by Harlem artists. Her other professional experiences include: Program Officer with the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; Managing Director of the Aaron Davis Hall; Consultant to the New York Philharmonic's Music Assistance Fund and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; Program Director for the Kentucky Arts Council; and Co-Founder of Latin American Music in Alternative Spaces. Rodriguez is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of the Arts, MFA in Arts Administration; Columbia University’s Teachers College, MA in Art Education; and New York University, BS, Art Education. She has served on many boards, among them the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, the World Media Foundation, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and Grantmakers in the Arts

Scope and Contents

As a Harlem resident and business leader, Janet Rodriguez 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, accountability, and responsibility

Subjects

• Columbia University.
• Community and college--United States.
• Discrimination in employment--United States.
• Discrimination in housing--United States.
• Discrimination in medical care--United States.
• Executives--Interviews.
• Harlem (New York, N.Y.)--History.
• Harlem (New York, N.Y.)--Race relations.
• Harlem (New York, N.Y.)--Social conditions.
• Interviews.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Racism--United States.
• Rincón, Claudia, interviewer.
• Rodriguez, Janet--Interviews.

Access Conditions

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