National Action Network’s YPL Convene Harlem District Leader Election Debate

Photo: (L-R): Ashley Sharpton- NAN Harlem Young Professionals & Leaders Committee Chairwoman; Stephan Marshall- NAN Harlem Young Professionals & Leaders Committee Chairman; Yasmin Cornelius- Current Harlem District Leader, 2015 District Leader Candidate; Afua Atta- Mensah- Lawyer & Harlem District Leader Candidate; Dr. Christina Greer- Debate Moderator, Fordham University Professor, Author; William Allen- Current Harlem District Leader, 2015 Harlem District Leader Candidate; Rev. Al Sharpton; Attorney Andrew Fede- NAN Harlem Young Professionals & Leaders Committee Chairman & President; Vincent Morgan- Harlem District Leader Candidate

NEW YORK - National Action Network’s (NAN) “Young Professionals & Leaders” Committee (YPL) hosted a debate at the NAN House of Justice in Harlem on Labor Day, featuring the candidates for the upcoming District Leader elections in Central Harlem’s 70th Assembly District, Part A. The  2015 Hon. Theresa Freeman District Leader Election Debate – named after longtime NAN member and Harlem District Leader Theresa Freeman, who passed away this year – provided the candidates with a platform to speak about their ideas and offer solutions to resolve issues that impact Harlem.  Rev. Al Sharpton, President and founder of NAN, opened the debate, which was attended by Assemblyman Keith Wright and other community leaders. The attendees included moderator Dr. Christina Greer and participating candidates William Allen, Vincent Morgan, Afua Atta-Mensah and current Harlem District leader Yasmin Cornelius. The 2015 District Leader election will be held on Thursday, September 10.

“The first District Leader debate in New York City was a success in many ways and a win for voters in Harlem. For hundreds of people to attend a District Leader debate on a holiday and on the night before the first day of school for many children, illustrates that voters are more engaged than ever and they are looking for answers and real solutions from their local representatives,” said Andrew Fede, YPL President. “I believe that Theresa Freeman would be proud of the work that NAN's Young Professionals are doing to help improve the community. YPL will continue to build upon her legacy and will be conducting a series of debates and town halls throughout 2016 and 2017 to help inform New York voters and other members of the community and increase voter engagement for the upcoming District Leader elections.”

Male and female District Leaders are elected every two years to the unpaid position. The female District Leader election is considered by City & State Reports to be one of the “most intriguing” local elections of 2015 and with no clear frontrunner, Democratic insiders believe that the race will be hotly contested. District Leaders play an important role in our community because they have the power to contribute to the election of judges and appointments of candidates to vacant political seats. 

Source: The National Action Network