2025 Black Power Players

Speaker Carl E. Heastie is the 100th speaker of the New York State Assembly and the first Black person to hold the prestigious position. Prior to becoming speaker, Heastie – a lifelong advocate for workers’ rights – served as chair of the assembly Labor Committee, working with his colleagues in the majority to secure a $15 minimum wage. He is a proud product of New York City’s public schools and throughout his legislative career he has been a passionate advocate for the transformative power of education.

Janella T. Hinds brings a wealth of experience in both education and labor to her role as vice president for academic high schools. Janella champions equity for students and empowerment for educators in New York City schools. As secretary-treasurer of the New York City Central Labor Council, Janella’s advocacy of the labor movement extends to public- and private-sector unions, where she’s responsible for fiduciary oversight of this umbrella labor organization, which represents 1.3 million unionized workers. Janella, who is currently teaching social studies at the High School for Public Service in Brooklyn, manages to balance classroom teaching and union work with skill and grace. Janella holds degrees from Princeton University and New York University. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Letitia “Tish” James is the 67th attorney general for the state of New York. With decades of experience and a long record of achievements, she is a powerful, effective attorney and lifelong public servant. When she was elected in 2018, she became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected attorney general.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
In addition to the many civil rights trailblazers who have inspired my career – Thurgood Marshall, Shirley Chisolm – I am inspired by the late Representative Barbara Jordan of Texas. When she spoke at Richard Nixon’s impeachment hearings, she centered her faith in the Constitution, and said she refused to sit idly by and allow it to be subverted. We must remember Rep. Jordan’s words and actions now more than ever.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
Every single day, I go to work thinking about what more I can do to help New Yorkers. My office will continue to protect consumers from scams and fraud, dismantle crime rings that flood our streets with illegal guns and drugs, and stand up for workers’ rights. The work of achieving justice is never done, but I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments this office has achieved to help those who need it the most.

Hakeem Jeffries represents the diverse Eighth Congressional District of New York, an area that encompasses large parts of Brooklyn. Rep. Jeffries is serving his sixth term in the United States Congress. Rep. Jeffries was unanimously elected the House democratic leader by his colleagues in November 2022. Prior to being the democratic leader, he was the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus in the 116th and 117th Congresses.

Dr. Larry D. Johnson, Jr. is a seasoned academic leader. Selected as Guttman Community College’s second president in 2021, he has driven transformational changes, launched initiatives like the Career Innovation HUB, and spearheaded the Guttman Forward 2028 strategic plan. Prior to Guttman, Johnson served as the first Black president of Phoenix College, creating innovative programs to support students and workforce development. A champion of equity, Johnson has held leadership roles on national boards and commissions.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My late mother, Christine Johnson-Husbands, is my greatest inspiration. A dedicated single parent, she balanced working full-time, raising three children, and pursuing an LPN degree. Her resilience, service to the community, and unwavering faith taught me that despite life’s challenges, there’s always an opportunity to grow, learn, and make a lasting impact. Her example continues to drive me, reminding me that perseverance and purpose can transform adversity into opportunity. 

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
SWIM Digital Group is a woman-owned, minority-led business dedicated to helping colleges and universities enhance enrollment management, student persistence, and completion. Partnering with institutions across the U.S., SWIM amplifies their local profiles, uncovers new market opportunities, and strengthens institutional effectiveness. Through tailored digital strategies, SWIM empowers schools to better engage with their communities and drive sustainable growth, while championing diversity and inclusion in higher education.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
My proudest moment was presiding over commencement as president at Phoenix College, where I spoke before hundreds of eager graduates and thousands of supporters. The event was made even more special by our keynote speaker, pop artist CeCe Peniston, an esteemed alum of the college. Her presence highlighted the transformative power of community colleges, showing that they can be a pathway to social mobility and inspiring students to dream big and embrace new opportunities.

Jennifer Jones Austin is the CEO of FPWA, an advocate, radio host, public speaker and author. Jones Austin chaired the NYC Racial Justice Commission, leading passage of proposals amending City Charter to embed racial justice and equity in all government functions. She also chaired the NYC Board of Correction, presiding over rule-making to end solitary confinement in NYC jails. She is the co-chair of the National True Cost of Living Coalition, which commissioned first-ever national and county-level true cost of economic security measures, moving beyond basic needs to economic security for all Americans.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Having suffered a life-threatening illness with a 1% chance of survival, I live daily with an appreciation that our lives have purpose and we have a responsibility to lift up and support each other.

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Children of Promise, a Brooklyn and Bronx-based nonprofit that provides education and mental health support for children whose parents are detained and incarcerated.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
Leading the development and passage of the first-ever changes to a government charter to embed racial justice and equity in all government functions, including the now NYC mandate to calculate annually the true cost of living, which has since informed my work to effect a national true cost of economic security.

Charlie King has been a fixture in NY politics, government, and advocacy for the African American community. He has advised governors, members of congress, elected officials, mayors, and served as state director for the NYS Democratic Party. He was acting national director for the National Action Network, and an advisor to Reverend Al Sharpton. He was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as the top official for the NY/NJ region of HUD in 2000.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My father, Charles H. King, was a social worker known for his work with violent and troubled youth. He was president of the New York City chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Neuropsychiatric Association. Throughout his entire career, he made a real difference in adolescent’s lives. 

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
National Action Network and National Urban League.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
An interesting moment in my career is being the founder of Gun Violence Awareness Month (GVAM) in New York. New York was the first state in the nation to dedicate an entire month to gun violence awareness. Now, it’s become a movement that is gaining traction across the country, and hopefully it will continue to build momentum.

John B. King Jr. is the 15th chancellor of the State University of New York, the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States. In his nearly two years as chancellor, SUNY has seen two consecutive years of increased enrollment across every sector, its largest operating aid increase in five decades, including double-digit percentage increases for every state-operated campus, the first operating aid increase for community colleges in nearly a decade, and dedicated recurring annual funding for expanding mental health services, services for students with disabilities, paid internships, and research, as well as addressing food insecurity. 

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
One of my most important heroes and mentors was my Uncle Hal. Born in 1921 in a harshly segregated New York City, Uncle Hal was a Tuskegee Airman and made a career out of the Air Force, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. His patriotism allowed him to love a flawed nation as he fought to improve it – to risk his life for an imperfect country because he believed in its ultimate promise.

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
SUNY Brockport graduate Chantel Francis’ Hello Beauty. Chantel developed a beauty supply vending machine, which has been placed on the campus to support the diverse needs of students with accessible beauty products. I met Chantel on campus and spoke with her about her work and her successful path through SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program. EOP helps promising students overcome financial and academic barriers to attend a SUNY college, earn a degree, and achieve their life goals.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
There are many, but three in particular come to mind. I had the privilege of serving as President Obama’s Secretary of Education, where our work included the My Brother’s Keeper initiative and launching Second Chance Pell. At SUNY, we have set about to ensure students understand the importance of civic engagement while also having the chance to secure an internship/experiential learning opportunity before they graduate, as well as launching Governor Hochul’s Empire State Service Corps.

Interim President Malcolm King is a graduate of The Cooper Union’s Albert Nerken School of Engineering. Elected to Cooper’s Board of Trustees in 2013, he served as board chair, Audit Committee chair, and on the Free Education Committee, which issued the plan to return to full-tuition scholarships. The plan has achieved a six-year freeze on tuition, increased scholarship levels covering, on average, nearly 85% of tuition, and free tuition for half of the student body.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
I admire Malcolm X’s emphasis on personal accountability and his courage to evolve, even when it meant abandoning previously held beliefs for more productive ones. Likewise, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s resilience and strategic mindset allowed him to drive transformational change in society. Their examples continue to inspire me, setting the standard for those who strive to better both themselves and the world around them.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
The proudest moment in my career has been the detour I am taking to serve as the interim president of my alma mater during our search for a permanent president. The confidence of my fellow board members in choosing me for this responsibility and privilege and the appreciation and support of our institutional community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni have been deeply gratifying.

Dr. Lewis, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for over 20 years, prioritizes patient relationships. Born in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, and raised in the Bronx, she leads Northwell’s Center for Maternal Health, combating maternal mortality, particularly among Black women. She directs maternal-fetal medicine and patient safety at North Shore University Hospital, leads New York’s Birth Equity Project, and teaches at the Zucker School of Medicine. Dr. Lewis embodies strong cultural grounding and community commitment.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspirations are my parents. My dad was born in 1923, 1 of 16 children! Born in 1929, my mom’s story is unique: her father’s wife, being infertile, encouraged him to have children outside their marriage and she would raise them – very forward thinking in the 1920s and Jamaica. From humble beginnings, my parents built a strong family, providing unwavering support that propelled my siblings and me toward successful adulthood and professional careers.

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; www.signedrachelrebecca.com;  Faith Art Gallery (395 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 718-596-4659)

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
Becoming a physician is my proudest achievement. My journey began in Jamaica, in a house my father built, without indoor plumbing. When Jamaica’s government changed, my parents, seeking better educational opportunities, emigrated to the U.S. Despite limited knowledge of the system, we pursued our goals. My parents prioritized education, instilling a drive for success embodied by Emerson’s quote: “To laugh often…to leave the world a bit better…This is to have succeeded.”