Harlem United (also known as Harlem United Community AIDS Center) is an advocacy group that promotes economic policies inspired by the left-of-center concept of “equity” as well as left-of-center healthcare policies and LGBT interests. ¹ In 2021, it was on of several organizations to sign a petition criticizing the then-CEO of fast food chain Chick-fil-A Dan T. Cathy for donating to Christian organizations that it claimed were “anti-LGBTQ,” such as the National Christian Charitable Foundation and the Salvation Army.  ²

Activities

In 2021, Harlem United was one of several organizations to sign a petition addressed to the New York State Thruway Authority to protest its decision to award the Applegreen conglomerate with state real estate due to its business relationship with fast-food chain Chick-fil-A. The petition accused the restaurant’s then-CEO Dan T. Cathy of donating to Christian organizations it claims were “anti-LGBTQ organizations such as the National Christian Charitable Foundation and the Salvation Army.  ^{2 3}

Financials

According to its 2022 tax returns, Harlem United reported a revenue of $31,987,062, total expenses of $32,569,887, and total assets of $49,225,736. ⁴

That same year, the organization reportedly spent $20,784,522 on housing programs for the homeless and the families of children diagnosed with medical conditions such as AIDS, mental health disorders, and substance abuse. It spent $1,807,165 on health care coordination for Medicaid recipients. It spent an additional $3,955,671 on HIV prevention and related services. ⁵

Funding

According to its 2022 tax returns, Harlem United received $24,181,339 in government grants that year. ⁶ It received $2,854,968 in rental income, $2,627,713 in Medicaid funds, and $1,822,696 in “management fees.” ⁷

Leadership

As of 2025, Jacquelyn Kilmer is the CEO of Harlem United. ⁸

The board of directors consists of Marvin Griffith, Emmet A. Dennis Jr., Latraviette Smith-Wilson, J. Robin Moon, and Jacquelyn Kilmer. ⁸

1.   Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Harlem United Community Aids Center. 2022. Part VIII – Statement of Revenue, line e.
2. “Chick-fil-A sign on letter.” Harlem United, July 21, 2021. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.harlemunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Letter-to-NYS-Thruway-Authority.pdf.
3. “Andrew Truett Cathy Named Third Chief Executive Officer of Chick-fil-A, Inc.” Chick-fil-A, September 16, 2021. https://www.chick-fil-a.com/press-room/andrew-truett-cathy-third-chief-executive-officer-of-chick-fil-a-inc
4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Harlem United Community Aids Center. 2022. Part I, lines 12, 18, 20-22.
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Harlem United Community Aids Center. 2022. Part III – Statement of Program Service Accomplishments, lines 4a-4c.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Harlem United Community Aids Center. 2022. Part VIII – Statement of Revenue, line e.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Harlem United Community Aids Center. 2022. Part VIII – Statement of Revenue, lines 2a-c.
8. “Our Team.” Harlem United. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.harlemunited.org/our-team/.