Levern was concerned with the rampant blight of homelessness in New York City during the late 1970s and 1980s. He made it his goal to seek a solution using the creative arts as a tool. Dr. Billy Taylor’s Jazz mobile was a big influence in guiding him as he created a 501 (c)(3) Non Profit Organization for the Arts with a housing development component. Neighborhood Artists Inc. was founded in 1984 with a plan to offer mixed-use permanent housing and supportive social services for homeless families, seniors and low income professional artists. Levern successfully opened the first Neighborhood Artists Inc. Development in the 2004. The 20-unit residence is located in Harlems’s Westside and is still thriving. Most recently, Levern has developed community based programs in New York City, Westchester and Connecticut that culturally enrich the lives of youths and senior citizens using the performing arts as a teaching tool.