Party Enrolled In: Democratic
Current Occupation: Founder and Executive Director - A Better Jamaica, Inc.
Previous Occupation(s): Certified Public Accountant w/ Coopers & Lybrand; Ad Director w/ Black Enterprise Magazine; Distribution Executive at Columbia Pictures; Various Positions w/ Internet Start-Ups
Education: P.S. 15; I.S. 59; Bayside High School; Medgar Ever College; BBA in Accounting from Howard University; MBA from Harvard University
Organizational Affiliations: Board Treasurer, Classical Theatre of Harlem; Member, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation; Immediate Past President, Addisleigh Park Civic Organization
Prior Public Experience: Parks Committee Chair, Queens Community Board 12
1. What is the most important issue in Council District 27 you would address if elected?
Education. Less than 50% of 3rd and 5th graders in southeast Queens are passing the English Language Arts exam. The impact of these poor outcomes is dramatically reflected in middle and high school under-achievement. Poor academic performance underlies so many other problems. It is the issue that we have the most control over at the local level.
2. What other important issues would you address if elected?
Ongoing support for non-profits in the district is also critically important. Local non-profits address the general needs of the community -- from after school and weekend programs for youth, to meeting the needs of senior-citizens. Local non-profits are also excellent at addressing the community's specific needs -- in our case, record foreclosures and a high proportion of disengaged youth. A grant writer on my staff would be charged with providing technical assistance to non-profits. I will address unemployment, another issue in need of attention, as an advocate for job training/readiness and small business creation.
3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
I was born and raised here in Jamaica and have extensive experience developing and implementing solutions for community problems. As a past president of a local civic organization, and as a member of Community Board 12, I have an excellent sense of what it takes to secure better city services.
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