Joseph H. Holland

Joseph H. Holland is an attorney, entrepreneur, government official, writer and ordained minister
with over thirty-five years of experience of serving the community.
Holland began his government career as Director and General Counsel to the New York State
Senate Committee on Housing and Community Development. He subsequently served as New
York State Housing Commissioner where he managed over 1,500 employees and orchestrated
the planning and funding of thousands of units of affordable housing in various locations across
New York State. He also served on the boards of the following New York State-sponsored
entities: the Harlem Community Development Corporation, the Municipal Assistance
Corporation and the Empire State Development Corporation.
Holland operated a Harlem-based real estate law practice and used his management skills to
build commercial enterprises and expand employment opportunities in Harlem. He was
instrumental in establishing an American Express Travel Office, a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
parlor, a Body Shop retail store, and Harkhomes, a homeless shelter whose residents found work
in these businesses. He also served for many years as Vice- President of the Harlem Business
Alliance (hbany.org) and co-founded the Beth Hark Christian Counseling Center, which recently
celebrated thirty years of community outreach (bethharkccc.org).
Holland’s writings include: an inspirational self-help book – “The Touchstone Tools: Building
Your Way To An Inspired Life” (touchtonetools.com); his spiritual memoir – “From Harlem With
Love: An Ivy Leaguer’s Inner-City Odyssey”; his first stage play – “Cast Me Down”, which
enjoyed a Off-Broadway run; and his second stage play, “Homegrown,” which experienced two
extended runs at Harlem’s landmark National Black Theatre. His new book – “The Vigorous
Virtues: Daily Success Principles From Diverse American Founders” will be released in Fall
2019.
A graduate of Cornell University, where he earned a B.A. and M.A. and was an All-American
and Academic All-American football player, Holland has served as a member of the University’s
Board of Trustees since 1988. He holds his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.
Holland has received awards and honors for both his business and social service
accomplishments. In 1993 President Bill Clinton recognized Mr. Holland in a White House
ceremony for his community-building initiatives. He received an honorary degree from the City
University of New York Law School and was recognized for his career accomplishments by the
Ivy Football Association in January 2017 and by the City of Yonkers, New York, which
proclaimed “Joseph Holland Day” on June 7, 2017

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