Silicon Harlem is a New York-based organisation working on digital access, broadband infrastructure and smart-city experimentation, with Harlem as its core reference point. Founded around 2013, the group says its original aim was to transform Harlem and other urban markets into technology and innovation hubs that participate fully in the digital economy.
The organisation operates from Upper Manhattan, New York City, and combines community programmes with technical and policy work. Its activities include digital literacy training, broadband design and deployment, research projects, educational workshops and community outreach. Silicon Harlem also says it works with private-sector partners, academia, nonprofits and local government to build next-generation infrastructure for cities.
A central part of its portfolio is broadband access. Through initiatives such as Better Broadband and partnerships including the C-Better Foundation, it promotes affordable internet, device access and workforce development for network technicians. The group has also described itself as an advocate for New York City’s Internet Master Plan and says it has worked with the Mayor’s office on connectivity goals.
Another strand of its work focuses on “tech-enabled cities”. Silicon Harlem runs micro testbeds for AI, urban sensors, AR, VR and the metaverse, aiming to trial new technologies in real settings across the city. It also houses a 2,800-square-foot headquarters space in Upper Manhattan that includes co-working, events, after-school programmes, podcast recording facilities and an “Innovation Hub for People” that showcases new technologies.