Party Enrolled In: Democratic
Current Occupation: Director, Pamoja House Men's Shelter
Previous Occupation(s): U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassador; Operations Manager, Pamoja House; Americorps/HIV Outreach Volunteer; Asst. Football Coach, Brooklyn Technical H.S.
Education: B.A., Brooklyn College/C.U.N.Y.; NYC Public Schools: P.S. 321K, J.H.S. 51, Brooklyn Technical H.S.; Certification: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
Organizational Affiliations: Interfaith Medical Center Community Advisory Board; United Nations Alliance of Civilizations; Global Block Foundation; Black Veterans for Social Justice; New York Communities for Change; Coalition for Public Education; 'Sandy' Relief Volunteer Coordination; Plural Plus Youth Video Film Festival
Prior Public Experience: NO
1. What is the most important issue in Council District 35 you would address if elected?
The most important issue I would address is housing. My focus is preserving housing and protecting the rights of long-time district residents and ensuring that the rights of new residents are protected as well. Key housing issues are: maintaining existing affordable housing; ensuring developers include permanent affordable housing units; revamping NYCHA governance and addressing its poor building management; and exposing illegal rental practices used by Real Estate agencies and management companies.
2. What other important issues would you address if elected?
Education and jobs are the other important issues. Please go to the ISSUES section of my website, www.peopleforjelani.com, to read the details.
3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
Key qualities for this office are: a deep-rooted understanding of the entire district; a social inclusion and cultural diversity advocate; commitment to community to resolve issues. My social services and social justice activism lie in tenants rights, veterans support, parent involvement in education, saving hospitals and coordinating Sandy relief. My ability to negotiate with agencies and governments is acknowledged. My background shows I am the best candidate to serve the people of the 35th Council District.
Reprinted as supplied by the candidate. Participating in the NYC Campaign Finance Program.
This Guide lists all candidates who appear to be on the ballot for the primary election based on the latest information obtained from the New York City Board of Elections, even if a candidate did not submit a profile or record a video for the Guide. Profiles and video scripts were submitted to the CFB by the candidates and are reprinted as supplied, except in the case of egregious errors and minor formatting issues, which may be corrected by the CFB. Videos appearing in this Guide were recorded and approved for broadcast by the candidates. All the candidates have affirmed under penalty of perjury that the information in their profiles and videos is true to the best of their knowledge. Website and social media links were supplied by the candidates. The CFB is not responsible for non-working links, although it does correct or remove them to the extent practicable. The CFB removes links that are not campaign-related.
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