State Senator-Elect Zellnor Myrie Announces Transition Team

CROWN HEIGHTS – State Senator-Elect Zellnor Myrie announced on Thursday a six-person transition steering committee ahead of his January 9 swearing-in.

The transition team will advise Myrie on staffing and the organization of both the Brooklyn and Albany offices. The crew will also help launch Myrie’s first legislative and community initiatives.

“I plan to hit the ground running in January and have assembled an experienced group of respected community stakeholders to help me prepare to do so,” said Myrie. “The members of my Transition Steering Committee possess a range of subject matter and community expertise that match my priorities and the needs of the diverse central Brooklyn district.”

Meet the crew:

• • Wayne K. Williams to serve as Chair: Williams has a rich history in Brooklyn and statewide political affairs. He recently served as African American Vote Director for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s re-election campaign as well as senior roles with Brooklyn District Attorneys Eric Gonzalez and the late Ken Thompson.
  • Jennifer Jones Austin: As the chief executive officer and executive director of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Austin comes with an anti-poverty, policy and advocacy experience.
  • Rev. Dr. Daryl Bloodsaw: Currently, Bloodsaw serves as a community leader and social justice advocate as well as the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Crown Heights.
  • Kemah George: The community engagement manager at the New York Immigration Coalition works to strengthen immigrant communities through education and engagement.
  • Sherese Jackson: A public school teacher at P.S. 295 Studio School of Arts and Culture in Brooklyn. Jackson is also an active member of Indivisible Nation Brooklyn, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting civic participation and engagement in the fight for justice, sustainability, and equality.
  • Daniel Tietz: The CEO of Bailey House, Inc., a housing, licensed behavioral health, and social services non-profit organization. Tietz is also the former president of the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn.

“With their participation, we will ensure that my future office has the structure, staff, and tools necessary to empower the communities that I will represent,” said Myrie.

The 32-year-old senator-elect defeated former IDC member and current State Sen. Jesse Hamilton during the September 12 primary. Myrie, along with a cohort of other anti-IDC members unseated several members of the New York Senate who many blamed for stifling certain Democratic legislation.

I am thrilled to have this group of trusted and knowledgeable advisors by my side through this critical period.” said Myrie. “I also look forward to discussing the priorities for this district with many additional community leaders in the coming months who represent the beauty and diversity of the 20th state senate district.”

Bklyner will update its readers with a close-up interview with Myrie discussing his upcoming initiatives ahead of next month’s swearing-in.