Meet Carolyn Slade Harden

 In 2017, Carolyn won the crown of Ms. New Jersey Senior America and Ms. Senior America. She received a B.S. Degree in Management Science, a major in Finance, and a Collateral Program in Training and Development, from Kean University. Her extensive business resume includes more than 40 years of experience in corporate and higher education management, including project management, business analysis, technical writing, and training. She also specializes in integrating systems with business practices and held management positions with Coopers & Lybrand, National Professional Education Department, and Seton Hall University, W. Paul Stillman School of Business. She is the founder and president of OfficeXperts, LLC.; and created the Harden Institute for Financial Independence (the HIFI Club), which concentrates on educating youth in financial management. She is currently certified as a Quickbooks ProAdvisor. Carolyn also earned credits towards a B.A. Degree in Applied Music, majoring in voice; minoring in piano, at Seton Hall University. Her impressive musical resume includes experience as a professional recording artist, solo performer, musical producer, and choral director.

Among the many highlights of Carolyn's career in music, she sang with Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick, and Cissy Houston in the gospel group, The Gospelaires, and the Drinkard Ensemble. She was also a part of a prolific New York City area session singing team for Burt Bacharach and Hal David. She supplied background vocals for artists such as The Drifters, Solomon Burke, and Garnet Mimms.  Carolyn made three records that topped the charts in various cities in the U.S. She debuted with "I Saw You With My Best Friend" and "Eavesdropping," released on the Domino label in 1962. Her next single, "I Wanna Know Right Now," was penned by Van McCoy and also topped the charts in 1963. She appeared on the popular television show American Bandstand, the Apollo Theater in New York, and various venues throughout the U.S. As a Choral Director she directed: the Children's Choir at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J. (where she conducted Whitney Houston in her first solo performance); the Children's and Youth Choirs at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, N.J.; the Children's Choir at Macedonia Baptist Church in Lakewood, N.J.; the Seton Hall University Gospel Chorus in South Orange, N.J.; and, the Renaissance Adult Community Chorus in Manchester, N.J. She is currently active as a singer and actress in the Renaissance Performing Arts Club (PAC) and several community bands. 

Carolyn has received awards from the City of Newark for her extraordinary musical talents, humanitarian initiatives, contributions toward enriching inspirational music and Christian values, and unfailing service and ministry to the community and church.