Born and raised in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, Council Member Albert Vann has served his home community for nearly all of his adult life, both as an educator and an elected official. Vann attended New York City public schools and graduated from the Franklin K. Lane High School. He earned his B.B.A. from Toledo University, his Master's Degree in Education from Yeshiva University and his Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Long Island University.

Prior to attending college, Vann joined the United States Marine Corps where he rose to the rank of sergeant. Following his return to civilian life, he had a distinguished career in the field of education as an administrator, teacher and advocate. His experience included teaching at P.S. 256, JHS 35 and JHS 271, all in Brooklyn.

Vann is also a founder of the African American Teachers Association and a former instructor at Vassar College's Urban Center for Black Studies. A former member of Community School Board #13, he played an instrumental role in the creation of Boys & Girls Memorial High School and Medgar Evers College. Because of Vann's leadership in the New York State Assembly, Medgar Evers College had its status as a four-year institution restored in 1994.

Councilman Vann represented his home community in the New York State Assembly from 1974 - 2001. As Chairman of the New York State Black & Puerto Rican Caucus in 1981, Vann led the U.S. Supreme Court fight that prevented the racial gerrymandering of the New York City Council. The court case led to increased representation of communities of color in the Council. In addition, Vann also filed a 1982 lawsuit that forced the New York State Legislature to significantly increase representation of communities of color on the state and federal levels. His landmark victory led to the creation of two additional Congressional Districts, three additional State Senatorial Districts, and six additional Assembly Districts for communities of color in New York State.

In November of 2001, Vann was elected to represent the 36th Council District of Brooklyn in the New York City Council. Councilman Vann is Chair of the Council's Committee on Community Development, which has addressed a variety of issues related to community development, such as poverty, the effects of the foreclosure crisis on communities, and predatory equity, among others. 

As a Council Member, Vann has founded The 36th Council District Katrina Relief Effort, the Black Brooklyn Empowerment Convention, and the New York City Council Initiative called New York City Works, which provides resources to reduce the disproportionally high unemployment rate in Black and Latino communities. Vann has also been a leader in the City in addressing the public health crisis of HIV/AIDS in Black and Latino communities through the Council's HIV/AIDS Faith-Based Initiative, which partners faith-based institutions and community-based organizations to work to prevent HIV/AIDS infections.

Additionally, Councilman Vann has been instrumental in establishing the following Taskforces to give residents of the 36th Council District an opportunity to improve their community: Education Taskforce; Senior Taskforce; Community Safety Taskforce; Youth Taskforce; and the Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford Stuyvesant, formerly known as the Housing & Economic Development Taskforce.

A consistent advocate for cultural empowerment, Councilman Vann was instrumental in the co-naming of Fulton Street as Harriet Ross Tubman Avenue in 2004, and also established an annual community celebration in recognition of Harriet Tubman Day in New York State.

Vann is married to Mildred Vann, has four children and eight grandchildren. His hobbies include traveling, basketball, collecting African art and listening to jazz.

Entered City Council: 01/01/2002
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2013

Represents: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights

Committees: Community Development, Chair; Education; Economic Development; Finance; Health; Land Use (Zoning & Franchises); Rules, Privileges & Elections