Black Power Players

Nick E. Smith serves as first deputy public advocate for the city of New York. Throughout his career he has served as a policy advisor and campaign strategist for city and state elected officials, and as a policymaker, primarily focused on housing, equity and public safety. He’s authored or co-authored more than 50 local and state laws, including the Fair Chance Act; cracking down on tenant harassment and expanding the Human Rights Law.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to not be afraid of rejection, or being told “no.” That’s part of life. I would further say to keep going because for every no, a “yes” is right around the corner.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
My proudest accomplishment isn’t work related, it’s personal. I’m the father of twin girls, Grace and Faith, and it’s been a pleasure continuing to watch them grow. They’re now in school and I’ve been as nervous as they are starting. But, so far, so good.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
One, I’m not sure how many people saw Black Wall Street Burning. Check it out. A few of the survivors are still alive and seeking to be made whole. It dispels the anti-Black narrative of a lack of entrepreneurship in the community. Those barriers remain. Two, I spend a lot of time studying “Black” music. Check out “Quincy,” about Quincy Jones, who was behind so many hits, from Michael Jackson, James Ingram, Kanye, Aretha, and others.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
Not surprisingly, I have to big up the organizations that are part of the New York City Crisis Management System, who are helping to reduce gun violence. It’s a national problem in all communities – urban, suburban and rural, which no one has solved. The CMS providers are getting to the roots of the problem and making progress here in New York City. Check them out and support them.

India L. Sneed-Williams is a wife, mother and attorney who advises clients as outside general counsel and on matters pertaining to government law and policy, regulatory affairs, and Minority and Women owned Business Entity certifications. Before launching IQEQ Law, India was an Associate at Greenberg Traurig, LLP where she routinely guided fortune 500 companies to navigate government relations and related legal matters. India has vast experience as a leader in governmental and legislative roles.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Reach higher and the universe will provide.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
I am most proud of launching IQEQ Law PLLC in 2023 and most looking forward to providing top tier solutions and service to my clients. I am also looking forward to traveling.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
Movies: “Twenty Pearls: The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority”, “The Color Purple” and “Renaissance” 
Books: “White Fragility”, “Bluest Eye”

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
For over a decade, Tamika Mallory has been bringing awareness to issues negatively affecting black people. She is a mother, sister, leader, risk taker, and effective disrupter. She deserves her flowers while she can receive them.

Wayne Spence was born on the island of Jamaica and has called the New York City area his home since the age of 10. He was first elected as president of the Public Employees Federation in June 2015, was re-elected in June of 2021 for a third three-year term and is only one of two presidents to be elected for three terms. He serves on the executive boards of American Federation of Teachers, SEIU and the NYS AFL-CIO.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
I would say the best advice I could give would be to talk less and listen more.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
I am proud of negotiating a successful contract which included a higher education pay differential that respects the higher education and certifications that the members of the Public Employees Federation have and that make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers. In 2024, I want to bring attention and change to the toxic workplace environments that some of the N.Y.S. workers are subjected to.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
“The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream” by Barack Obama and “The Privatization of Everything” by Donald Cohen

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
The work that is being done by One Voice United; They are doing work around criminal justice reform from the perspective of the workers.

Lorraine Stephens serves as the chief operating officer at  the Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) and on the boards of Rochdale Charter School and Council of Family and Child Care Agencies (COFCCA). Her previous positions include vice president at the New York Women’s Foundation, deputy commissioner at New York City’s Department of Homeless Services, assistant executive director at Catholic Guardian Services, and deputy commissioner at NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services. Lorraine holds degrees from Binghamton University, Fordham University, and management certificates from Hunter College and Harvard University.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Over the years, I have learned invaluable lessons from my parents, teachers, mentors, and sponsors that have contributed immeasurably to my professional career, community work, and personal life. One piece of advice I would give my younger self would be to pay close attention to self-care and work-life balance. Professional success must not be achieved at the expense of physical and mental well-being.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
As chief operating officer, I’ve worked closely with senior leaders at JCCA to respond to post-pandemic work environment challenges with creativity and flexibility. In 2023, we delivered two redesigned offices in Brooklyn and the Bronx, where our staff now provide services to children and families in a space that conveys dignity and respect. In 2024, I plan to continue to pursue policies, work patterns, and space designs that enhance the experiences of the families we serve.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
I would recommend Nicole-Hannah Jones’s “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story”, a landmark summary of the Black experience in America that presents insightful links between the past and present struggles of African Americans. Another important book is Ibram X. Kendi’s “How to Be an Antiracist”, which bravely tackles the topic of institutional racism and presents practical steps to be an antiracist. Both books show how history can guide Americans in addressing our current challenges.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a pioneering New York State leader, became the first woman and African American woman to lead a legislative conference in 2012 and was elected senate majority leader in 2019. She has steered some of New York’s most productive sessions, passing landmark laws on voting, gun safety, women’s rights, climate change, and affordable housing. Stewart-Cousins, a Yonkers resident, was married to the late Thomas Cousins, and has three children and six grandchildren.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Do the right things for the right reasons, and the right outcomes will follow.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
It’s a privilege to serve the people of New York and I look forward to every day I spend working on behalf of the people who trust me with this responsibility. I feel blessed to be able to continue this work in 2024.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
I would recommend reading “Caste: the Origins of our Discontent” by Isabelle Wilkerson, and the related 2023 film “Origin” directed by Ava DuVernay, which was released last fall.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
I have to shout-out the amazing team at Sister to Sister International in Yonkers. Founder Cheryl Brannan and her team are leaders in providing support, education and critical life skills to women of color, and the work they do to address maternal mortality is nothing short of inspiring.

Originally from St. Louis, Mo., Marshall Strawbridge came to the Bronx, N.Y. to study political science and philosophy at Manhattan College. Upon graduating, Marshall went on to work for the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, where he interned during his time as an undergrad. After two years at NWBCCC, where he supported the development of a borough-wide economic development plan, he joined the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC) where he leads their small business development and grant making initiatives.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Learn to play an instrument.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
In 2023 BXEDC launched a $1 million storefront improvement program that has since awarded twelve businesses in the 161st Street corridor grants of $30-70,000 for facade improvements.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
“Civil Wars” by June Jordan is a collection of poems and essays that offers an incisive analysis of issues affecting race and class in America. The book covers topics from patriarchy within the civil rights movement, effective modes of resistance, the relationship between poverty and the built environment, and the portrayal of Black youth in the media.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
Henry Obispo is a Bronx-based social entrepreneur whose work focuses on empowering people and community through addressing food insecurity. As founder of the ag-tech company ReBorn Farms, he is developing and implementing innovative solutions to create opportunities for economic equity by revolutionizing local food systems.

Candis Tall is an executive vice president and the political director for 32BJ SEIU. She has been fighting for economic, racial and social justice for over a decade as an organizer, activist, legislator and political campaigner. Recently, she oversaw the passage of the Healthy Terminals Act, providing healthcare to thousands of airport workers, and just-cause legislation protecting NYC fast-food workers. In 2020, Candis led the successful, historic, electoral program to elect Joe Biden.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to be patient. You’ll know when you’ve found your way when you get there.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
2023 was a great year for the workers’ rights movement. Workers fought and won the right to unionize as well as winning great contracts. I’m proud of the work I do at SEIU 32BJ to support non-union workers organizing–whether that’s Starbucks workers in NYC or Heinz workers in Kentucky who won their union. I’m looking forward to fighting and winning in 2024. These victories have an impact on working class black communities.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
I recently watched “Rustin” on Netflix and I loved it! I also have been watching “High on the Hog”, a Netflix series that tells the story of how Black people have impacted the food America eats starting from when the first Africans arrived in the Americas.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
The North Star Fund. This organization funds the movement. Organizations that are doing the work to empower, organize, and highlight communities most marginalized turn to the North Star Fund to help them do this vital work. I’m proud to be on the board of such an awesome organization run by amazing folks.

William C. Thompson Jr. was reappointed by Governor Kathy Hochul as chairman of the board of trustees of the City University of New York on June 15, 2023. Mr. Thompson also serves as the chief administrative officer and senior managing director at Siebert Brandford Shank. Previously, he served six years as president of the New York City Board of Education and eight years as New York City comptroller. Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Thompson now resides in Harlem with his wife and three children.

Lupe Todd-Medina has been a spokesperson for national, state and city elected officials for over two decades. She is a skilled media relations and government affairs consultant. Lupe worked on the winning campaigns for Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Assembly Member Grace Lee, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and more. She consults on behalf of associations, nonprofits and Fortune 100 companies, and served as a senior communications advisor to the re-election campaign of Gov. Kathy Hochul.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Know your worth, then add tax.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
In 2023, I expanded my portfolio through a partnership with the national mail firm, Blue Wall Mail. This firm, which was born from the historic victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, has given me more opportunities to expand my company’s client base.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
The book, “Black Cake ” by Charmaine Wilkerson. It’s been made into a limited series on Hulu, but I preferred the book. Also, the “Thriller 40” documentary on Paramount+, you hear directly from Michael Jackson and others about the making of the landmark album and video.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
I really like the work of one of my clients, the National Urban League. They don’t have a big footprint in New York State, so I’m aiming to change that in 2024. As one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the county, they are dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities.

U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres is a fighter and trailblazer from the Bronx who has spent his entire life working for the community he calls home. In 2013, at the age of 25, Ritchie became New York City’s youngest elected official and the first openly LBGTQI+ person elected to office in the Bronx. Today, he serves as congressman for New York’s 15 Congressional District and is the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress.