THE FOUNDERS

Founders Michael John Downie and Katrin Zimmermann
Photo by Marc Ohrem-Leclef

Michael John Downie has a M.A. in English and American Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing from New York University and an undergraduate degree from Tufts University. He has taught English in France and America, and for the past five years he has been teaching in both the CUNY and SUNY university systems. He is now Assistant Professor of English at SUNY Westchester Community College. Michael has taught humor in literature, creative writing, and composition, among other subjects. He is currently also writing a short social satire on the state of America.

Katrin Zimmermann is a jewelry designer with a background in Chinese Art History and Archaeology. She is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and the president of Ex Ovo Inc. Her designs are sold at MOMA and Takashimaya, and worn by Eartha Kitt, Zaha Hadid, Halle Berry, and other fabulous people too numerous to mention.

Katrin and Michael spent three years rehabilitating a brownstone shell in the Mount Morris area of Harlem, which now serves as their home as well as their base for Renaissance in Motion activities. The great creative energy they felt when moving to Harlem was the inspiration for Renaissance in Motion.

Their Harlem brownstone was featured in Metropolitan Home's September 2005 issue. Swiss Airline's on-board magazine featured an article by Katrin Zimmermann about Harlem Houses in their March 2006 issue.