Father of the Community

Last Saturday, June 26, 2021, was a special day for Hurvy Bradshaw. His community came out in full force to thank him for his service to the youth and his unwavering support of the place he called his “second home,” The Slater Center.

Hurvy listened as many recalled “his lasting impact” on the youth of White Plains when he worked at the Neighborhood Youth Corps. They talked about how he provided leadership, mentorship, guidance, love, and how he served as a father figure for so many children in our community over the years.

When Hurvy moved to White Plains almost sixty years ago, he brought his caring and loving spirit with him. He was used to sharing and caring, values he learned from his parents, John and Ella Horton Bradshaw and his eight siblings. Hurvy was born in Manning, South Carolina, where he attended public school.

While attending Westchester Community College, Empire State College and later the State University of New York (SUNY) Purchase, Hurvy continued to make an impact in the community. He developed the NYC2 program to provide youth with stipends to encourage them to stay in school and rewarded them for better attendance. Those youth, some now grand parents and great-grand parents, lovingly spoke to Mr. Bradshaw, and shared some of the times they came to him for advice. In his position as Assistant Director at the Thomas H. Slater, he provided counseling and referrals to our clients. He was the first staff member to open the doors of the Slater Center in 1979.

While Hurvy has retired from the Slater Center, he plans to continue his community service at his favorite church, Mount Hope AME Zion Church, where he has been an active member since 1982. Among the many hats that he still wears at Mount Hope, he has served as a steward, president of the Men’s Chorus, and as a member of the Vision Choir. There is no doubt that his idle time will quickly fill up when Hurvy hears that the White Plains/Greenburgh NAACP or the Fisher Hill Association, need volunteers. His leadership of the City of White Plains Community Citizen Advisory Committee and membership in the Open Space Committee, exemplified years of dedication and service to his community.

The Thomas H. Slater Center family is fortunate to have had Hurvy Bradshaw on its team for over forty-two years. The outpouring of love and support from the community gathered at this event brought laughter and smiles to the Slater Center located in the heart of White Plains, as friends, fans, family, and colleagues congratulated him on his retirement and recognized a man they respect, admire, and cite as, “The Father of the Community.”