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Joseph Holland’s dynamic strategies have made incredible impacts in every arena he has ventured into. Now, he shares those strategies with you. If you are ready to make a radical difference in the world around you– or yourself– Joseph is here to help.
Joseph Holland is an acclaimed community servant. As a diplomat’s son, star athlete, and Ivy League scholar Joseph had a world of opportunities awaiting him in corporate America. Instead, he moved to Harlem during the nadir of its blight and endeavored to contribute to a neighborhood that was tough in every sense of the word. A five-year sojourn became a three-decade commitment, as his career morphed from practicing law to empowering the homeless, to running small businesses, to writing plays and books, to serving in politics, to building housing—all aimed at making a difference in the lives of individuals in need.
Raised partly in the South (VA), Scandinavia (Sweden – where his father was U.S. Ambassador) and Suburbia (outside NYC), Joseph followed in his legendary father’s (Jerome “Brud” Holland) footsteps and became an All-American football player at Cornell University. Turning down professional football, he went on to attain his law degree from Harvard.
Joseph founded and ran Harkhomes, a Harlem shelter for homeless men. He co-founded the Beth Hark Crisis Center, which celebrated its 30th anniversary of ongoing service to the community’s neediest in 2015. He spearheaded the Cornell Cooperative Extension Literacy Initiative, a summer program through which Cornell undergraduates worked in Harlem with low-income families helping the children with literacy skills. And as president of the Westchester Clubmen, an organization of African American professional men sponsoring college prep programming for young men of color in Westchester County, New York, he doubled the size of the program with an expansion from White Plains to New Rochelle.
With his decades of experience in making the most of opportunities (and creating ones that didn’t exist), Joseph helps you see the possibilities in every situation.
Joseph has used his management skills to build commercial enterprises and expand employment opportunities in Harlem. As owner of the Harlem Travel Bureau, he started the first inner city American Express Travel Office, and he did similar trailblazing with the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlor that he established on 125th Street. He was also instrumental in bringing a Body Shop retail store to that uptown corridor, and he served as Vice-President of the Harlem Business Alliance.
Joseph’s creative portfolio includes: an inspirational self-help book – “The Touchstone Tools: Building Your Way To An Inspired Life”; his spiritual memoir – “From Harlem With Love: An Ivy Leaguer’s Inner-City Odyssey”; his first stage play – “Cast Me Down”, which enjoyed an Off-Broadway run; and his second stage play, “Homegrown,” which experienced two extended runs at Harlem’s landmark National Black Theatre; and a motivational video series, “Holistic Hardware”, that he conceived, directed, performed in and produced.
Joseph’s decades of business and community advocacy experience give him unique insight into what it takes to create success at home, at work, and in the community
Joseph’s boots-on-the-ground community advocacy experience gives mission and clarity to his guidance on any project big or small.
Holistic Hardware has changed the lives of thousands of people who want the tools to change their lives.
Whether you need help building your business or charting the course for your life, Joseph will partner with you to drive success.
Experience the inspiration of Joseph’s life story through on-site training, public speaking, his best-selling books, or award-winning plays.
Please reach out and let us know how we can help. Fill out the form with your specific needs. We will be in touch soon.
Joseph Holland– a visionary community leader and businessman who helps you transform your impact in your community, your business, and yourself.