Who We Are
The Vision: To advocate for a fully accessible society.
The Mission:HILC is a disability-focused organization that drives community change and empowers individuals to live independently.
The Objective: We provide a comprehensive array of independent living services to people with disabilities, enhancing their ability to function autonomously and thrive within their communities.
Who we Serve: HILC serves people with disabilities across all five boroughs of New York City, with a special focus on minority communities and the Greater Harlem area.
Our commitment: HILC promotes independence and advocates for community change, creating pathways for individuals with disabilities to thrive while strengthening the communities they call home.
How We Started
In the 1980s, many people with disabilities in New York City faced limited access to independent living services and advocacy. To address this gap and expand services to Harlem, Northern Manhattan, and surrounding areas, community members organized the Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC). It continues to be guided and led by Harlem and New York City community members with disabilities to this day.
Dr. Herbert Louis Thornhill – Co-Founder of HILC
As founder of the rehabilitation department, Dr. Herbert Louis Thornhill recognized the need for continuity beyond hospital care and co-founded HILC. His early leadership forged a link between rehabilitation and independent living, helping HILC grow into a vital resource that promotes independence, empowerment, and advocacy for people with disabilities—continuing his legacy of community-focused change.
Junius Kellogg, an American basketball player, coach, and civil servant, served as HILC’s founding Board Chair, shaping the vision and mission of the organization. With federal funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), HILC was able to establish itself as a federally recognized Independent Living Center. The organization was incorporated in 1990 and continues to serve the community.
Junius Kellogg – Founding Board Chair
Meet Our Awesome Team
Our people are diverse and reflect the communities we serve. This includes trained professionals, volunteers, and board members, many of whom have disabilities themselves or direct experience with disability. Our staff is multilingual, providing guidance, advocacy, and support across cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We equip individuals, families, and friends with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to live independently while promoting systemic change for greater equity, access, and inclusion.
Yaw Appiadu, MPH
Executive Director
Yonette Lewis
Director of Operations
Desryl Desouza
Program Coordinator
Dennis Martinez
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Specialist
Julia Linder
Systems Advocate
Brittney Holmes
Health Insurance Enroller
Deborah Riddy
Health Insurance Enroller
Marcia Estevez
Accessibility Specialist
Stephen Young
Housing Specialist
Alexander Agyemang
Independent Living Specialist
For email inquiries, put the staff member's name in the “Subject” line and send to [email protected].
Board of Directors
Dr. Keith Taylor
Chair
Mr. Edmund Asiedu
Vice Chair
Dr. Marco Naguib
Treasurer
Ms. Patricia Williams
Member
Ms. Leslie Bright
Member
Mr. Marcus D Johnson
Member
Mr. Anthony Brown
Member
Ms. Maxine Beary
Member (Advisory)
