2025 Black Power Players

Paul Thomas is a partner in the Parkside Group’s government relations team, where he leads budgetary advocacy and represents diverse clients, including companies, trade associations, and nonprofits. With over 20 years in New York politics and government, Paul has secured millions in funding for nonprofits, guided companies through M/WBE certification, and helped shape impactful legislation. He also advises public affairs clients on engaging community stakeholders to advance their goals effectively.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My mother because she raised two children as a single parent during the ‘80s and ‘90s in a tougher part of the city. 

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Not just one, but all Black-owned businesses that have had an opportunity to secure procurement from federal government agencies due to the suspension of DEI programs.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
My proudest moment is when I worked for the New York City Council in 2005 and helped secure the first anti-gang funding and create the Anti-Gang Violence Youth Initiative.

William C. Thompson Jr. is the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York. Thompson is a partner at Siebert Cisneros Shank & Co., a full-service investment firm, serving as chief administrative officer. Thompson was elected to two terms as NYC comptroller and served five terms as president of the New York City Board of Education, the nation’s largest school system with an annual budget of nearly $12 billion.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My father William C. Thompson Sr., a former judge, City Council member and the first African American to represent Brooklyn in the New York State Senate. He stood up against injustice, racism and spent his life in service to New York.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
The proudest moments of my career have been serving the students of New York City as the president of New York City Board of Education and now as the chairperson of The City University of New York.

Lupe has been a spokesperson for national, state and city elected officials for three decades. She works on political and issue campaigns, crisis communications and strategic management. Lupe continues to serve as an advisor to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the National Urban League. She currently represents lawyers who are part of a multidistrict litigation against international companies that produce hair relaxers linked to increased risks of cancer in women of color.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
I am inspired by the many women-owned businesses that I’ve had the privilege to work with, especially the Black and Latina-owned firms. While many are small firms (like mine), what we lack in size, we make up for in heart.

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
In my neighborhood in Bed-Stuy, we have wonderful Black-owned businesses that I enjoy patronizing daily. Blocks and blocks of restaurants – fine dining to gastropubs, clothing stores – vintage to today’s designs, bakeries and art galleries. And it’s all within walking distance – and all proudly Black-owned.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
It is still being a part of Team Jeffries for 25 years and watching Leader Jeffries continue to excel. I can’t wait to see him as speaker.

Representative Ritchie Torres is a fighter from the Bronx who has spent his entire life working for the community he calls home. Like many people in the Bronx, poverty and struggle have never been abstractions to him, and he governs from a place of lived experience. In 2013, at the age of 25, Ritchie became New York City’s youngest elected official and the first openly LGBTQ person elected to office in the Bronx.      

Jumaane D. Williams has been the public advocate of the City of New York since 2019, and previously served a decade on the City Council. After earning a master’s degree from Brooklyn College, he began his career as a community and tenant organizer. He has led the fight for better policing, safer streets, affordable housing, and accountability in government. As public advocate, he’s passed more bills than all previous office holders combined.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
It brings me joy to know I am helping my fellow New Yorkers every day. I am led by my faith and find daily encouragement in the work I do to help residents throughout the city. My biggest inspiration is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a champion for civil rights, justice and peace. I am also inspired by the people of New York. 

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
There are too many organizations to mention that are doing great things, with so many within the nonprofit space. There are quite a few Black-owned organizations I would like to uplift, but way too many to count! There are a couple of Black-owned businesses I would like to spotlight. This includes Community Capacity Development (CCD), and Life of Hope.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
The proudest moment in my career so far was when a young man told me I inspired him to run for office, after he previously didn’t think he could because he also had Tourette Syndrome. However, he saw me and realized he could, and believed in himself – he was later elected to local office in Connecticut. It was moving and humbling to have played a role in his pursuit of goals.