About Craig 

I am a lawyer and contracted Law Clerk by the United States Department of Justice, and with a brief glance of my life, one can see that it has been committed to public service.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, P.A., I am next to the youngest of six children of loving parents and nurturing grandparents. At the impressionable age of 17, I decided to ease the financial burden on my parents and moved to Atlanta, G.A. after graduating high school.

With only $600 in my pocket, and a strong will and desire to succeed, I settled in Atlanta and pursued a career as an electrician. Later, I became a firefighter and continued as an electrician part-time. As my mind expanded so did my interests in modeling. It led me to a successful career in New York City where I fell in love with my neighbors in Harlem.

My success in modeling paid for my New York University education. During this time in my life, my understanding of the importance of being involved in one's community spoke to the public servant within me. I volunteered my time to positive organizations that I knew and was elected by my neighbors to be their block president. Then, I began assisting local politicians and lawyers committed to defending the community.

In 2007, the Harlem Children's Zone awarded me the Emerging Leader of the Year. That honor built my confidence to serve; and after running for congress, I earned my J.D. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law to acquire skills desperately needed in our community. Law school blended my attributes and honed my understanding of the broader community. It also drove me to teach American government to impressionable minds at CUNY. It is a reason my experiences have been molded into one focus and has shown me how best to apply them to effectively organize and fight to protect the entire community. 

Harlem has been my home for 35 years. It is where my friends and small businesses have been forced out, and now are struggling to stay.  This is why I ask you for the privilege to fight for you as your next New York State Assemblyman.  

Profession

-  United States Department of Justice, Staff Lawyer

-  Mitchell Hamline School of Law, J.D.

-  New York University: Political Science & History, B.A.

-  Law Certificates: Alternative Dispute Resolution-Mediator,  

    Arbitrator, Advocacy & Problem Solving.

Public Service

-  Executive Director: Foundation for Redress, Inc.

-  CUNY: Adjunct Instructor of American Government.  

-  Defended 71 small businesses in Harlem facing eviction by

    uncovering and "Using a 110-year law." (See New York Times)

- Candidate for U.S. Congress in 2010/12 General Elections.

Former

Firefighter & SCUBA Rescuer; Electrician (IBEW) Union Local 613; Wilhelmina Models, Inc., New York; 2010/12 Candidate in General.

Community Service 

Defended 71 Small Businesses in Harlem facing eviction by New York City  

As the Executive Director of the Voices of The Everyday (VOTE) People, NY, I 

created a legal research team, devised marketing plans, and raised funds for a legal defense of 71 small businesses in Harlem facing malicious eviction in a lawsuit against then New York City Mayor, Mike Bloomberg, NYC Planning Department, and the entire NYC Council to stop their illegal evictions. VOTE People, uncovered a never-before used 110-year old law within NYC Charter that helps property owners oppose rezoning proposals, forcing city council to approve plans with a 75% super majority verses a simple 51%.

West 123 Street Residents’ Association, Block President [Interim]

Organize residential communities to engage local politicians for improving the environment. Conducted neighborhood events to promote social relations, health clinics, and town-hall meetings.

Political Commentator

For WBAI, 99.5, FM Radio Station in New York City, produced political commentary to close the six o'clock, Friday evening news.  

Harlem Education Program Board Member

The program operates in association with Columbia University Teachers College. Raised funds and tutored children seeking advanced knowledge and those facing academic challenges.

Awards

Veterans Action Network (2012)

Veteran’s Housing Advocacy: Outstanding generosity and dedication to the U.S. Veteran’s community

Harlem Children’s Zone (2009)

Initiative for Manhood Award: Recognition of establishing single fathers group to improve fatherhood

Harlem Children’s Zone (2007)

Community Pride Award:  Emerging Leader of the Year