The Michaels are best friends, always laughing and joking together.

They continue to have a close connection to the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem through our alumni mentorship program, and through employment: both also use their talents to support our elementary-age youth.

Michael Lana is a Biology Major at City College of NY with the eventual goal of being a medical doctor. He joined the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem last year as a member, joining our Vaccine Literacy Campaign Co-Design Team and our Data Science Program, alongside receiving individual college and career support. Michael has interned at PurpleAir, where he researched air pollution in the Bronx, collaborating with multiple Fordham University professors, been awarded scholarships by One Hundred Black Men of NYC, and completed the W.E.B. DuBois Anatomy and Physiology Summer Program alongside our Boys & Girls Club of Harlem Apple Technology Academy. In the academy, Michael was awarded First Place in an App Design Showcase out of 50+ participants for his app, Joke for Joke, an online platform designed to combat bullying through creating a friendly, educational, and competitive roasting environment.

Michael Brown is a Computer Science Major at SUNY Westchester Community College with the eventual goal of becoming a software engineer. He also joined the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem last year as a member, quickly becoming a leader in our robotics and data science programs. Michael has an extensive background in various computer science education programs, is a golfer, and is training to become a lifeguard. In our Boys & Girls Club of Harlem Apple Technology Academy, Michael designed an app focused on real-time ease and safety in the NYC MTA system. Specifically, his “Stair Spotter” and “Hero Spotter” components allow transiters to share with other app users, in real-time, critical information to stay safe. Michael is continuing to develop this app through our Saturday App incubator program, with the goal of launch by May 2024.