The Foundation was founded in memory of Daiselle Crawford, who was an influential figure in the Harlem community. She was a leader, focused on developing the generations that followed her. She mentored many of the youth and served as an inspiration to her colleagues. Her presence was impactful.
In 1982 she began her work as Project Coordinator for Columbia University’s LEAD Program. The LEAD Program selected promising minority high school juniors to participate in a mini-MBA program at top business schools during the summer. The students were afforded opportunities to network with top tier executives, and the alumni of the program went on to become executives, lawyers, physicians, engineers, and more.
In 1994, Daiselle received the School’s Robert W. Lear Service Award for her commitment to the students. During her tenure, she touched the lives of thousands of students and was the source of unending wisdom, strength, and love.
Born and raised in Harlem, Darryl Crawford is no stranger to the impact of growing up in a crime infested, and often violent, community. He also understands the challenges of growing up in a single-parent household, with his father having passed before his birth.
Being born into a basketball family, Darryl discovered his passion for the sport at a young age. He has basketball to thank for keeping him off the streets. When not in school, he devoted all of his energy and focus to mastering his skills and abilities to become the best basketball player he could be. He went on to play Division 1 basketball for Manhattan College, graduating with a B.A. in Sociology.
He is grateful for the love and support that he received from his coaches, family, and in particular his mother and grandmother, two of the strongest women he knows.
Sadly, he knows that not all children experience the same love, support, and opportunities. As a result of his awareness, experience, and desire to give back, in 2022 he founded the Daiselle Crawford Foundation to provide his community with the access, resources, and opportunities to foster life-long success.