Who:  Joseph Eady

Where (Borough):  Manhattan, New York

Graduation Year: 1958

Major: Industrial Education

 

Tell us 3 things about you: 

 

I grew up two blocks away from the world-famous Apollo Theater, when you could hear

Malcolm X preaching on his soapbox on the weekends. I attended the High School of Fashion. 

After hearing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak at Hampton, I donated to the movement when I got my first job and he wrote me a letter of appreciation that proudly hangs in my shop.

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Tell us about your job:

 

Over the course of 28½ years with the Department of Social Services I worked in several departments
beginning as a Social Investigator, Caseworker, Senior Caseworker, Supervisor I and Director. I worked
all the city services, i.e., Bureau of Child Welfare, Social Services for Children, Adoption Services, Foster
Care and the Department of Homeless Shelters. At the same time, I developed my independent business model. I opened Joe Eady’s Fashion City in 1964. Fashion City was my answer to Frederick Douglass’ Hampton model: A man must learn how to work with his head and his hands.

 

What’s something you’ve done with NYHAC:

 

My association with the N.Y. Hampton Alumni Club began in 1962. A fellow caseworker informed me on how to get connected with Attorney Isaac McNote. Mr. McNote has a law office at 151 st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. I was welcomed at the club immediately. The club was badly in need of help. Soon the club began meeting at the State Office Building on West 125 th Street. At the State building the club began to prosper. During my time with the club, I have held several positions, i.e., Recording Secretary, Chaplin, Treasurer, President of the Credit Union, President of NY Hampton Alumni Club, and member of the Board of Directors.

 

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