(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaican-American Assemblyman Michael Blake is vying for the race for New York City Public Advocate.
The Public Advocate serves all five New York City boroughs and acts as an ombudsperson for all New Yorkers – a government official who champions the public and ensures government is responsive to their needs.
The Office of New York City Public Advocate is a citywide elected position in New York City, which is first in line to succeed the Mayor.
The seat became vacant after Letitia James was elected to her present office as Attorney General last November.
The special elections for Public Advocate will take place on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.
There are at least 10 other candidates in the race including Grenadian American City Councilman Jumaane Williams, Puerto-Rican American Former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Dominican American Councilman Rafael Espinal Jr.
Blake is a third-term Assembly Member in the New York State Assembly representing the 79th District in The Bronx, New York.
Born on Christmas Day at North Central Bronx Hospital, he graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
He became a lay minister in the United Methodist Church and African Methodist Episcopal church and in early 2007, recognising a kindred spirit in public service, Michael joined then-Senator Barack Obama’s campaign as the Iowa Deputy Political Director and Constituency Outreach Director.
Community leaders across New York are pushing for stronger civic involvement in the Caribbean American Diaspora.
As part of this push, a coalition of Caribbean community leaders in partnership with Irie Jam Media Group will host a multi-media Public Advocate Candidates forum for the Caribbean American community on Sunday, February 17, 2019, at 8:00 pm EST.
Caribbean Americans around New York City can participate in the forum via Irie Jam Radio WVIP 93.5 FM, Irie Jam 360 app, www.iriejamradio.com, Zoom and Facebook Live.
Persons interested in learning more about this and other events are asked to contact Rhonda Binda Esq. @rhonda.binda@gmail.com or Dr. Omyma David at omymadavid@gmail.com.