Publisher's Section
The 2025 Black Trailblazers
Game-changers in politics, policy and other professions in New York.
City & State presents The 2025 Black Trailblazers Peter Baiamonte; PEF; Cantata Health
Black politicians hold some of the most powerful positions in New York politics, from the minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives to the state’s legislative majority leaders and attorney general to the mayor of New York City. It’s a political reality that reflects the gradual gains made during hard-fought battles for equality and justice over decades, if not centuries. Of course, the most influential and prominent officeholders aren’t the only Black trailblazers in the state. This year, City & State is introducing the inaugural Black Trailblazers list, recognizing scores of outstanding individuals in such fields as business, real estate, labor, social services and advocacy. The list, written and researched in partnership with journalist Jenna Flanagan, replaces the Power of Diversity: Black 100, which will return in 2026. It features some familiar faces as well as some new names that have never appeared on other City & State lists. We’re pleased to present the first Black Trailblazers.
Jomo Akono
The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters is a force in New York’s labor movement, and that’s thanks in large part to local union leaders on the front lines across the state. One of those is Jomo Akono, a business representative for Local 276 in Western New York. Akono, a second-generation union carpenter who has been a member of Local 276 for two decades, is also a committee member on the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters’ executive board and a board member of the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board.
K.L. Allen
Closing the gap between college graduation and today’s workforce is a top priority for Western Governors University, with K.L. Allen leading the online institution’s efforts in the Northeast region. Allen is all about making education more accessible and affordable for everyone. He has nearly two decades of experience in higher education, and prior to taking his current role, he was the chancellor of WGU Ohio. In Ohio, he led WGU to a 60% enrollment increase in the state.
Venus Anderson
Venus Anderson is focused on diversifying New York City’s film and television industry. An alum of Brooklyn Workforce Innovations’ “Made in NY” production assistant training program, Anderson now leads the organization’s media workforce development programs. Working with 50 cohorts of students in her time, Anderson has helped over 800 people secure jobs in the city’s media industry, while diversifying the program. Anderson was also appointed as a member of the city’s Film and Television Production Industry Council in 2022.
Garrett Armwood
A former deputy state director for U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Garrett Armwood is used to being in the thick of things. That training serves him well overseeing government affairs for real estate developer SL Green. He is in the middle of the company’s effort to secure a downstate casino license later this year, part of an ambitious Times Square bid working with Caesars Palace and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. During last year’s state budget negotiations, Armwood helped to pass a tax incentive program supporting office to residential conversions, a top SL Green priority.
April Baskin
State Sen. April Baskin is all about standing up for her Buffalo community. The newly elected state legislator says she plans to fight for affordable housing resources and to help small businesses. A former chair of the Erie County Legislature, Baskin easily won a state Senate seat last year, succeeding now-Rep. Tim Kennedy. While in county government, she led the creation of the Erie County Urban Initiative Program, which has invested $13 million in capital funds in the county’s underserved communities. Baskin is chair of the state Senate Procurement and Contracts Committee.
Karenne Berry
Karenne Berry is the chief program officer at Goddard Riverside Community Center, where she oversees a wide range of programs aimed at serving more than 20,000 people of individuals and families. Goddard Riverside focuses on a number of program areas, including children and youth, health and wellness, the aging, families, communities, financial independence and housing. Programming available there include Meals on Wheels, homeless outreach, education and workforce development.
Larry Scott Blackmon
There is no Blackmon Organization without its CEO, Larry Scott Blackmon. In addition to being a government lobbying firm, The Blackmon Organization has developed a specialization in investment networking. This practice focuses on connecting organizations, politicians, entrepreneurs and corporations with grassroots entities for social and financial investment opportunities. Blackmon, well known as LSB, has over 20 years of experience in public service, community development and government, previously serving as a deputy commissioner in the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Editor’s note: Larry Scott Blackmon is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
Derick Bowers
Derick Bowers is the executive director of GoodTemps, a division of Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, where he holds the title of executive vice president. GoodTemps works to provide temporary employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. With a strong commitment to workforce development, Bowers focuses on connecting jobseekers with employers, offering training and fostering personal growth. Earlier in his career, Bowers worked at The Doe Fund, where he led a workforce development partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corp.
Cynthia Brackett
Reentry issues facing formerly incarcerated people include finding meaningful employment. Cynthia Brackett is focused on making sure people with recent criminal convictions can do just that. As New York City regional director for the Center for Employment Opportunities, Brackett is focused on growing economic opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, including working with over 30 partner organizations to grow jobs. A key focus has been addressing systematic inequities and elevating marginalized communities.
Robert Brantley
Who’s Robert Brantley, you ask? He’s the senior vice president of construction at Con Edison, which has put him at the center of some of the biggest clean energy projects in New York. Brantley is leading Con Edison’s work on Idlewild, a $1.2 billion project creating two new substations that will electrify John F. Kennedy International Airport and the city’s bus fleet. He is also leading on the Brooklyn Clean Energy Hub, a new $810 million substation that will generate electricity to power 750,000 homes in Brooklyn and Queens.
Priscilla Sims Brown
Big banks aren’t typically thought of as major supporters of progressive causes and left-leaning politicians, but Amalgamated Bank is no ordinary financial institution – nor is Priscilla Sims Brown your stereotypical banker. Brown, whose parents emigrated from Ethiopia, has run the country’s largest union-owned bank since taking the reins in 2021. The veteran financial executive, who previously was at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, now is carrying out Amalgamated Bank’s mission to serve labor unions, sustainable organizations and entities promoting social justice.
Sharon Brown
Within the arcane world of state and local government finance, Sharon Brown is there to provide expert guidance to officials. The public finance practice area co-chair at Barclay Damon, Brown works with state and local government clients on the structuring and issuance of municipal bonds, while making sure governments stay in compliance with federal tax laws and maximize funding for projects. Brown leads diversity efforts at Barclay Damon as chair of the diversity partner committee and diversity partner.
Darcia Bryden-Currie
Darcia Bryden-Currie has dedicated herself to serving thousands of Bronx children, adults and families through VIP Community Services. The nonprofit organization is committed to empowering those individuals and families through comprehensive support services. Bryden-Currie focuses on community development by concentrating on medically underserved people. An expert in supporting homeless people, mental health and substance use care, she has served as senior vice president and chief clinical officer for the past seven years, and continues her work on addressing health disparities and improving health outcomes.
Yvette Buckner
Yvette Buckner is the founder of The Buckner Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in public affairs, advocacy and community engagement. Known for her expertise in navigating complex political landscapes, Buckner works closely with clients to drive impactful initiatives and build meaningful partnerships. She is a leading expert in managing high-profile campaigns and navigating some of the most complex issues in New York, including health, housing, transportation and technology. She is board co-chair of The New Majority NYC and vice chair of the YWCA Brooklyn.
Siela Bynoe
Siela Bynoe has made the transition from county government to the state level, winning a Long Island seat in the state Senate last year. A former Nassau County legislator, Bynoe built a deep record in county government, focusing on a number of issues, including environmental protection, clean drinking water, zombie home renovation, mental health and body cameras for police officers. Bynoe is a former Westbury school board member and North Hempstead Housing Authority commissioner. She is chair of the state Senate Libraries Committee.
Monique Chandler-Waterman
Monique Chandler-Waterman’s work for East Flatbush did not begin with her election to the Assembly – she has been focusing on uplifting the Brooklyn neighborhood since before her move to Albany. She helped to form the East 29th Street and East 46th Street Block Associations, where she created a 24-hour day care center. She co-founded East Flatbush Village Inc., where she addressed youth services, gang activity and mental health. In the Assembly, she serves on a number of committees, including those that focus on mental health, higher education, housing and small businesses.
Melissa Chapman-Samad
Once upon a time, Melissa Chapman-Samad worked as a journalist. That is, until public affairs came calling and she began her career at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, working her way up to serve as the organization’s senior vice president for public affairs. Chapman-Samad is currently a lobbyist at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, where she works closely with clients to advance top causes. She works closely with the Civil Rights Foundation, and chair the Rev. Al Sharpton, to advance the Museum of Civil Rights. This groundbreaking museum will honor civil rights struggles and achievements in the country. She has also secured critical funding for the Center for Educational Innovation to address racism and mental health issues in schools through art.
Sean Ebony Coleman
Sean Ebony Coleman has become an inspiration through a personal story that includes taking a federal prison sentence to transform his life and make him focus on ways to help New Yorkers better their lives. He is the powerhouse behind Destination Tomorrow, a Bronx-based LGBTQ+ center that’s changing lives every day. Destination Tomorrow offers a wide range of services, including in education, workforce development, health and housing. Outside of Destination Tomorrow, Coleman is a consultant for nonprofit organizations, working to move organizations to the next level.
Mylan L. Denerstein
Mylan L. Denerstein is a distinguished litigation partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, specializing in litigation and crisis management. Known for her problem-solving skills, Denerstein leads complex litigation and internal investigations, representing companies confronting a wide range of legal issues. She is a former counsel to the governor and former executive deputy attorney general in New York. In 2022, she took on a new challenge as the federal monitor overseeing reforms to the New York City Police Department.
Jelanie DeShong
A veteran of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Executive Chamber and her lieutenant governor’s office, Jelanie DeShong now works in real estate lobbying for powerhouse firm Kasirer. He uses his background and deep knowledge of New York to help clients navigate land use regulations and also to tailor development projects to meet community needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was government relations director at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where he was a key front-line worker in helping Brooklyn and New York City navigate the critical early days of the crisis.
Carla Downie
Carla Downie has focused her career on bringing positive change to public policy and making social impact a key pillar in her work in government. Downie is a director at Hinman Straub, a prominent government relations and legal firm. She has over 15 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors, bridging the gap between government entities and private enterprises, providing key strategic guidance to her clients to help them achieve their goals. She volunteers for a number of organizations and is a Corporate Council member for the New York Urban League and on the Young Professionals Steering Committee for the Association for a Better New York.
Nivard Edmond
Nivard Edmond is making big moves as director of programs at the Police Athletic League. Edmond leads the league in providing youth with fun, safe and educational programs that are making a difference in their lives. From mentoring to recreation, Edmond is focused on empowering underserved youth and creating spaces where young people can grow, thrive, and build life skills. Outside of the Police Athletic League, Edmond is focused on volunteering in a number of community efforts.
Aldrin Enis
At the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, Aldrin Enis has been in charge of building coalitions to broaden support in the United States for Israel. These efforts have included being a liaison to the African American community in the Northeast. Enis recently completed a four-year stint as president of One Hundred Black Men of New York, an organization supporting the Black community. Following his presidency of the nonprofit organization, Enis transitioned to chairing the organization’s corporate advisory board.
Justice Favor
Justice Favor is a pivotal figure at Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, or LECET, a labor-management partnership between Laborers’ International Union of North America locals and their contractors. As director of strategic partnerships, the Far Rockaway native and first-generation union member is bringing more people into the construction industry as a pathway to the middle class. This involves opening up opportunities for creating jobs that allow local residents to work on development and construction projects in their communities.
Retha Fernandez
A key economic and environmental priority in New York is the growth of the offshore wind industry and Community Offshore Wind from National Grid Ventures is a leading firm in the industry. As strategic engagement manager, Retha Fernandez champions workforce and economic development for Community Offshore Wind. This includes leading implementation of part of the $250 million investment in workers and local communities, with a specific focus on disadvantaged communities. Fernandez is a former chief diversity and inclusion officer for Suffolk County, where she led the county government’s diversity initiatives.
Charles Gibbs
Charles Gibbs became the seventh president of Metropolitan College of New York in July, bringing with him an impressive resume of leadership in the higher education and empowerment sectors. Prior to joining MCNY, Gibbs was CEO of 100 Black Men of America, the largest African American male mentoring organization in the country. Gibbs has also been president of the Propel Center HCBU Consortium at Clark Atlanta University. The consortium is a $50 million initiative backed by Apple and Southern Company to grow the Black talent pipeline in arts and entertainment, agriculture, technology, health and social justice.
Camesha Grant
Leading the charge in the fight against hunger is Camesha Grant, a powerhouse at the Food Bank for New York City. Grant is focused on the development and implementation of initiatives and programs focused on addressing hunger and poverty citywide. She has over 30 years of experience in building strategic partnerships to develop solutions to grow access to food and resources, while increasing opportunities for marginalized communities. Outside of her work at the Food Bank, Grant is the community service chair for the nationally recognized Queens chapter of Jack and Jill of America.
Nancy Hagans
Nurses are gaining ground in state politics across the country. Former Delaware Gov. Bethany Hall-Long just completed her two-week term as the nation’s first nurse to be a governor and in New York, Nancy Hagans is showing that nurses are a powerful political force to be reckoned with. The president of the New York State Nurses Association, Hagans has been at the forefront of making sure the state’s nurses, the backbone of the health care system, are treated fairly. Hagans has won groundbreaking safe staffing legislation and multiple key victories in contract negotiations.
Brian Harper
A former Suffolk County health commissioner, Brian Harper continues to make key contributions to health care in New York and across Long Island. As the New York Institute of Technology’s chief medical officer, Harper oversees academic health centers in Old Westbury and Central Islip, building upon a health care career that has included being the first director of the Nassau County Bureau of HIV Services and working as a senior executive at Nassau County Medical Center. The first African American to serve as Suffolk County’s top public health official, Harper leads equity and inclusion programs across the New York Institute of Technology.
Julie Harris
Julie Harris is a trailblazer at the Council of Black Architecture and Engineering Companies, championing diversity and representation in the world of design. The Council’s work is focused on growing business opportunities for Black architecture and engineering companies, professional development and advocating for key legislation related to government procurement opportunities. Another key area of focus is increasing public awareness of the need for parity in city government procurement and advocating for opportunities in this area.
Felicia Harris
Felicia Harris has gained extensive experience in state government, which is helping her navigate the complex legislative landscape for her clients at Catalyst Government Relations. Harris’ resume includes serving as campaign manager for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s successful reelection campaign in 2018 and working as a state legislative staffer. Harris has been a policy analyst in the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, where she provided key guidance on local, state and federal regulations for community development projects.
Tyrone Hendrix
Tyrone Hendrix is now in his third state advocating for teachers. Hendrix joined New York State United Teachers in August 2023 as executive director, following a stint as general manager for the California Faculty Association and over three years as executive director of the Mississippi Association of Educators. A former city council member in Jackson, Mississippi, Hendrix authored the Mississippi capital city’s living wage ordinance, chaired key committees and led efforts to overhaul city budget practices. In 2016, he was Mississippi state director for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Janella T. Hinds
Janella T. Hinds is a force for change in the New York City Central Labor Council and the United Federation of Teachers. At the union, she leads advocacy and labor efforts for New York City’s academic high school faculty and staff, along with serving as liaison to the union’s school secretaries chapter. She is currently in her fourth four-year term as secretary-treasurer of the New York City Central Labor Council, a key leadership role in the powerful umbrella group of municipal labor unions. The union recently worked in partnership with the Central Labor Council and the New York City Building and Construction Trades Council on a union career fair.
Ronzard Innocent
Ronzard Innocent is a standout leader at Denham Wolf Real Estate Services, an organization that provides expertise in transactions, development and project management. He brings a deep understanding and in-depth knowledge of New York’s real estate scene and project management within the sector to his role. At Denham Wolf, he has worked on over $1 billion in capital projects. He has been a board member of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy in Brooklyn.
Jonelle Johnson
The second largest cable operator in the United States, Charter Communications serves over 32 million customers in 41 states. As Charter Communications’ director of government and community strategy, Jonelle Johnson leads the telecommunications company’s local community investment strategy and implementation along with national initiatives to bridge the digital divide and expand digital access. Her work also includes expanding diversity and inclusion through partnerships with stakeholders across the New York City region.
Jennifer Jones Austin
Jennifer Jones Austin’s work to better New York is multifaceted and highly impactful. The powerhouse CEO and executive director of the FPWA, she is a key leader in bringing social and economic equity. Jones Austin is the co-chair of the National True Cost of Living Coalition, where she is leading an effort to develop a national economic security strategy and policy agenda. She was recently appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul as a commissioner on the state Community Commission on Reparations Remedies.
Franck Joseph
If the trains aren’t running on time, Franck Joseph knows – he’s only got 8 million New Yorkers calling him up. The chief of staff for New York City Transit, Joseph is a key leader in keeping the city that never sleeps in perpetual motion. Prior to his current role, Joseph served as vice president of organizational strategy and chief of staff for the Department of Subways at New York City Transit. Prior to heading into the mass transit arena, Joseph was deputy commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
Kendra Krueger
Kendra Krueger is the driving force behind STEM education and outreach at The CUNY Graduate Center. In her role, Krueger oversees the IlluminationSpace Hub, which is an immersive museum-like learning center. She also is co-founder of The CUNY Community Sensor Lab, which allows for do-it-yourself community science. Outside of these trailblazing initiatives, Krueger works on multimedia projects and installations that explores science and the psyche through her platform, 4Love and Science.
Lloyd Lesperance-Banks
Lloyd Lesperance-Banks brings a wide range of New York City legislative experience and a strong labor background to his role at lobbying powerhouse Bolton-St. Johns. Lesperance-Banks honed his craft during six years as a New York City Council staffer, including as a chief of staff, where he oversaw constituent services, complex land use matters and the distribution of funding. He has served as chief of staff for the Freelancers Union, where he oversaw operations of a growing union and advocacy organization at the forefront of a number of key labor policies in the state.
Channon Lucas
Not everyone can say they made sure the Pope enjoyed New York City, but Channon Lucas can. In her prior role as vice chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York, Lucas worked on the planning and implementation of Pope Francis’ historic visit to the city in 2015. Lucas is now the chief administrative officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, which she joined at its inception in 2018. Lucas runs the foundation’s daily operations and oversees its communications and public policy.
Tara L. Martin
Tara L. Martin knows New York, and more importantly how to get things done. The founder and CEO of TLM Strategic Advisors, a boutique public affairs firm with the mission improve connectivity between governments, startups, institutions and key stakeholders. Martin’s breadth of experience includes serving as communications director for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and as political director and chief lobbyist for the New York State Nurses Association. She has also been the director of political outreach for Madison Square Garden Entertainment.
Editor’s Note: Tara L. Martin is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
Roger Milliner
Roger Milliner is a visionary leader at MetroPlusHealth, working to transform and grow health care access and equity across New York City. With deep expertise in health plan operations and a passion for community engagement, Milliner is focused on delivering affordable, high-quality care to underserved neighborhoods. A key part of Milliner’s role is strategic outreach and engagement, including forming relationships with community leaders across New York City and key leaders within city government. He has also formed relationships with a number of community and health organizations citywide.
Theodore Moore
At ALIGN, Theodore Moore is engaged in passing groundbreaking legislation and policies that will improve safety for New Yorkers and make the city greener. Moore worked to pass the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act – landmark legislation designed to address a safety crisis and protect Amazon workers. Moore has also worked to pass the state’s Climate Change Superfund Act to address climate issues. In New York City, he advocated for Local Law 99, which requires solar panels on public buildings to be installed by union labor.
Walter Mosley
A New York’s secretary of state, Walter Mosley runs a wide-ranging agency that touches the lives of New Yorkers from West Seneca to Westhampton Beach. A former state legislator and long-standing ally of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Mosley since last spring has been in charge of local government services, downtown revitalization, coastal affairs, cemeteries, real estate licensing, consumer protection, combat sports regulation, the state’s building code and corporation creation. Mosley has hit the ground running, touring downtowns in Medina in Orleans County, Perry in Wyoming County and Peekskill.
Nadjete Natchaba
Nadjete Natchaba is chief program officer at Services for the Underserved, where she works to improve and enhance the lives of many New Yorkers. She oversees $150 million in contracts for shelters, treatment and housing programs. Natchaba’s service delivery area is across New York City and Long Island. Among the programs she oversees are those to address homelessness and mental health for veterans, anti-eviction and the growth of low-income housing. Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado recently joined the group to distribute apartment starter kits to formerly homeless individuals in Brooklyn.
Marcus Odedina
As a global client services partner at EY, Marcus Odedina works with clients across the media and entertainment space and in the industrial products sector. He was also part of a team developing a global market expansion strategy, which led to business expansion on four continents. He has led a global team focused on working with a client to develop and implement a groundbreaking information technology strategy designed to lead to business growth.
Philip Ozuah
Dr. Philip Ozuah is redefining health care as the president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, leading the Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine with vision and compassion. Ozuah was key to one of the most trailblazing developments in American medical education, working to secure the $1 billion gift that will make the Albert Einstein College of Medicine a tuition-free institution in perpetuity. This gift is a key part of the implementation of Ozuah’s vision for health equity and economic opportunity.
Steven Perry
Steven Perry is the go-to guy for making college dreams a reality as director of financial aid at Berkeley College in New York City. He is focused on helping students navigate the financial aid process with ease, ensuring they have the resources to succeed. He has been working in higher education for 16 years and is determined to make sure students leave Berkeley with financial literacy to set them up for successful futures. Perry was a 2023 recipient of the Extra Mile Award for his trailblazing work for the Berkeley College community.
Dennis Prude
Dennis Prude is focused on growing the construction industry in New York. In his job as principal and executive vice president of field operations at CNY Group, Prude works with colleagues on a number of key projects across New York City. CNY’s portfolio includes Woolworth Tower, Tammany Hall, the Crossing at Jamaica Station, the Marriott Central Park and the Met Cloisters. Prude serves as secretary of the Building Contractors Association where he works to grow the industry in New York.
Brian Quiara
Brian Quiara knows how to get the job done for New York’s top leaders, having worked for then-Govs. Andrew Cuomo, David Paterson and Eliot Spitzer and for Kathy Hochul when she was lieutenant governor. Now he helps clients at the Albany-based government relations and communications firm Statewide Public Affairs navigate the intricacies of state government. Quiara was a senior policy adviser for Cuomo and policy director for Hochul, gaining invaluable experience with the state budget and economic development issues.
Jocelynne Rainey
Jocelynn Rainey is the powerhouse behind Brooklyn Org, where she leads the organization in developing an innovative model for community philanthropy. In 2023, the foundation distributed $21.1 million in grants to 120 nonprofit organizations, of which 78% are led by people of color. Rainey led the foundation, formerly known as the Brooklyn Community Foundation through a comprehensive rebranding process. The rebranding was done with the goal of showcasing the foundation as a community driver funding organization looking to serve all of Brooklyn.
Vaughn Ratchford
The New York Blood Center isn’t just a community-based blood supplier saving lives in and around New York. It’s also one of the biggest health care nonprofits in the region and a force in New York City’s real estate world. Vaughn Ratchford, the organization’s point person on real estate development, has been advancing plans for a life sciences tower on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and developing new facilities in Westchester County and on Long Island since he joined the organization in 2022. He previously was at the New York City Economic Development Corp.
Stanley Richards
Stanley Richards moved up last year to lead The Fortune Society, a public policy nonprofit focused on improving the reentry process for formerly incarcerated individuals. Richards, who succeeded JoAnne Page, brings critical experience to his efforts, having been a first deputy commissioner at the New York City Department of Correction who was formerly incarcerated himself. Richards, who served on the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform and other commissions and task forces, has seen his operating budget increase in his short time at the helm.
Xellex Rivera
In late 2023, the Bronx Parent Housing Network, a major emergency housing provider in New York City, rebranded itself as Housing Solutions of New York – which Xellex Rivera described as part of an expansion and restructuring with a focus on “strategizing our approaches to services to be more solution-based.” Rivera, who was promoted to be the nonprofit’s chief program officer earlier that year, is an effective communicator, an expert on serving homeless people and an advocate for Black women and girls.
Nicole Robinson-Etienne
LinkNYC’s kiosks aren’t just a benefit for everyday New Yorkers who need access to high-speed internet – they also provide a unique advertising opportunity for small businesses and nonprofits. Nicole Robinson-Etienne runs LinkNYC’s LinkLocal program, which allows local businesses and organizations to get out their message for free through promotions and no-cost training programs for historically marginalized groups. On her watch, participation in the program has risen by 55% and she won LinkNYC’s MVP award in 2022. She also launched LinkNYC’s Black Employees Thriving Together employee resource group.
Yusef Salaam
New York City Council Member Yusef Salaam learned early in life what it’s like to be in the media glare, making national headlines as a teenager when he and several others were wrongly accused of raping a jogger in Central Park. Salaam was eventually exonerated in the so-called Central Park Five case, and in 2023 he mounted a successful run in Harlem for a seat on the New York City Council. Now back in the spotlight, he has taken over as chair of the City Council Public Safety Committee and advocated against inequality in housing, education and income.
Timothy E. Sams
Timothy E. Sams had big shoes to fill when he succeeded Calvin O. Butts III as the president of SUNY Old Westbury in 2023, and by all accounts he has been the right fit. Under his leadership, the institution was officially designated as a university, its partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory was revitalized and enrollment has gone up by more than 8%. Sams, who has maintained Old Westbury’s commitment to diversity, also serves on the boards of the Long Island Association, the Long Island Housing Partnership as well as the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.
Brian Simon
Brian Simon has deep roots in Queens, but he’s making his mark across New York. Simon worked for such key players in New York government as Rep. Greg Meeks, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey before entering the private sector. After five years at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, he launched his own government relations firm, Hollis Public Affairs, in 2021. Hollis has taken off, jumping from No. 36 to No. 28 in the latest state lobbying firm rankings while boosting compensation by more than $1 million.
Tricia Singh
Tricia Singh recently came on as a key executive at WellLife Network, a New York-based social services nonprofit that serves individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and mental illness. Singh oversees a large portfolio at the nonprofit, including human resources, public affairs, quality assurance, corporate compliance and diversity efforts. WLN, which rebranded in 2017, serves more than 25,000 individuals and families each year and has an annual operating budget of $130 million.
Matthew Smalls
Matthew Smalls has a big impact on policymaking in New York. As a senior vice president at the top 10 government relations firm MirRam Group, Smalls works with various clients, including pharmacies, telehealth providers and nonprofit organizations serving children and families with mental health challenges and formerly incarcerated people. An attorney, Smalls has also served as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan and special counsel in the state Senate and runs his own boutique law firm. He also helped clients weigh in on congestion pricing rules.
Barrie Smith
Years ago, Barrie Smith was a promising young boxer. As a leader at Laborers’ Local 79, Smith is still sparring – now on behalf of construction and building laborers. Smith, who was selected to join the Local 79’s executive board in 2015, is a longtime union member and has also served as a business agent of the union. He has served as a shop steward, foreman and an organizer, founded 100 Black Construction Workers, and has been active in the NAACP and National Action Network.
Michaelle Solages
Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, who has represented her Long Island district since 2013, is also looking out for New Yorkers of color across the state. As the chair of the state Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, she is a driving force behind the “People’s Budget” – a set of policy proposals that take aim at the affordability crisis, inequities in school funding and public investment in renewable energy. Solages is also the first person of Haitian descent elected to the state Legislature.
James Stratford
In December, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of James Stratford as executive director of the city’s $30 million Young Men’s Initiative, which is part of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice. YMI, as it’s known, was launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership supporting young Black and Latino men between the ages of 16 and 24. Stratford, a Bronx native, had previous stints at FAN4Kids, A Second Chance Inc. and Phipps Neighborhoods. He was also a 2024 Coro Leadership New York fellow.
David Tanis
As a vice president at Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates, David Tanis helps clients seeking to pass legislation, secure funding and shape policies. Tanis, who has been at the government relations firm since 2022, was promoted to his current position last year. He specializes in assisting nonprofit organizations that serve and advocate for marginalized communities. He previously founded and led the Showing Hearts Foundation, which aims to educate, empower and uplift underserved communities through organizational support, youth economic development and community outreach.
Lupe Todd-Medina
Of the many political consultants working in New York politics, few can match Lupe Todd-Medina’s impressive roster of clients or her ability to get a message through to diverse constituencies. Todd-Medina, who runs her own New York City communications and public relations firm, has worked over the years with such Democratic luminaries as Hakeem Jeffries, Cory Booker, Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul – and has recently been working with a number of legislative candidates. Todd-Medina, who was born in Panama, is also well-versed in issues facing immigrant communities.
Editor’s note: Lupe Todd-Medina is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
Rachel Watts
As its name suggests, ArtsConnection connects students to the arts in New York City, whether it’s through the innovative arts programs it runs at 120 schools, the distribution of free or discounted student tickets to performances and cultural attractions, or professional development training for teachers. The nonprofit organization is led by Rachel Watts, an arts educator who describes herself as “Afri-Cari-Merican.” Watts joined ArtsConnection over a decade ago after a stint at Ballet Hispánico and was named executive director in 2020, becoming the first Black woman in the leadership role.
Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams’ career has been a roller coaster ride: basketball star at St. John’s University and with the New Jersey Nets, a career-ending injury, struggles with addiction, months spent in prison and the launch of Rebound on the Road, a substance use rehabilitation program. He just embarked on the latest chapter in his career, joining Frank Carone’s Oaktree Solutions last fall as managing director overseeing a new sports venture division. Williams has jumped into the job, representing Oaktree at a basketball tournament in Puerto Rico as part of the annual Somos conference.
Darlene Williams
For over three decades, Darlene Williams has been an integral figure at the New York State Public Employees Federation, a 50,000-member public sector union representing a wide variety of workers in state government. Williams started out on the bottom rung as a rank-and-file member and organizer, working her way up the ladder from council leader to contract team chair and Region 10 coordinator. She has also chaired the PEF Professional Conduct Committee and served on the board of the New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health.
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