Richard David launches campaign for NYC Council District 28

Activist and Community Board Member Richard David officially launched his campaign to be the Council Member in District 28  through a video released on social media today.

Richard, inspired by President Barack Obama’s call to action in 2008, got involved asmentor to boys and girls of colour in Southeast Queens.

Richard attended Public Schools and started working at age 13; his first job was at the South Queens Boys & Girls Club(now known as BGC of Metro Queens)

He graduated from Hunter College, where he organised student actions on campus as President of the WISE Club.

After working for a few years, he went back to school and earned his Master’s degree from New York University. To pay for college, Richard held multiple jobs,

developing a work ethic that has continued to influence his life.

Richard was proud to graduate both cumlaude and debt free.

He maintained robust ties in the community even while working and going to school by engaging with religious, civic, and business associations. He was the youngest member of Community Board 9, where he remains active nine years later.

 Richard has over ten years of experience in government and will use this know how to improve his district.

His first fulltime job was at the NYC Economic Development Corporation where he became Vice President after eight years. In this role, Richard helped community organisations across the five boroughs to fundraiser and build modern space for residents including quality senior centers, sensitive cultural spaces, new job training facilities and nurturing afterschool centers for young people to thrive.

Richard then became Executive Director at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, where he oversaw a citywide campaign to lower the cost of public transportation for working families.

Currently, he is Chief of Staff at a child welfare organisation protecting the most vulnerable, our kids. He does not remain on the sidelines when it comes to fighting for what’s right; he jumps into the ring. One of hisproudest accomplishments is cofounding a nonprofit in 2010 to bring resources into Southeast Queens. Today, it’s one of the leading social justice organisations in Council District 28 and in New York City.

Richard was raised by a single mother who is his role model. He is the youngest of three brothers.

“Local government has been virtually absent in my district for several years now. Our residents have been locked out of vital decisions, we do not have a respected voice fighting to bring more resources into the community and our quality of life has decreased. We need a fresh start with a Council Member who can make government work for all of us, with bright, new ideas. I have worked in government for over 10 years and I have been a leading advocate for the community foreven longer. I’m ready to work hard to deliverreal results.Now, more than ever,

this is the kind of change we need”, says Richard David