Selvena N. Brooks-Powers represents the 31st City Council District, which includes the communities of Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, and Far Rockaway. She serves as the Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice and is directly responsible for the oversight of the closure of Rikers Island and transition to Borough-based jails. Selvena was the first-ever Black woman to serve as the City Council’s Majority Whip and the first Chair to lead the newly formed Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. She is also appointed to the National League of Cities\u2019 Transportation and Infrastructure Services Federal Advocacy Committee, and the Race, Equity, and Leadership Council. <\/p>\n
Selvena has devoted her time at the Council to ensuring Southeast Queens and the eastern end of the Rockaway Peninsula have equitable access to city resources. She has directed over $470 million of capital and discretionary funds toward infrastructure and community-based programs in her district, including schools, parks, firehouses, and so much more. She continues to fight for resources for a community that has been underserved by the city for too long. She worked to secure $95 million in restoration funding for the 116th Precinct, as well as $50 million and land for a certified trauma center on the Rockaway Peninsula.<\/p>\n
A dedicated public servant for 20 years and lifelong resident of Southeast Queens, Selvena Brooks-Powers is the proud daughter of Jamaican-born parents and is devoted to fighting for what is right and delivering results. As a community organizer, Selvena drove high-impact initiatives on critical issues, including education, voting rights and empowerment, racial and economic justice, relief efforts post-Hurricane Katrina, M\/WBE opportunities, and workers\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n
Immediately prior to elected office, Selvena was a manager for M\/WBE compliance, external affairs, and community outreach on the $19 billion JFK International Airport Redevelopment Program. Previously, Selvena worked for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) family as a communications director for various campaigns, including the Fight for $15 campaign across numerous states, and on one of the tightest Congressional races to win back the majority in the U.S. Congress. Selvena also helped mobilize and unionized co-workers under the United Media Guild of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), where she was unanimously elected delegate for the northeast region.<\/p>\n
Selvena\u2019s prior experiences in government range from the New York State Senate Majority Conference Leader to the New York City Mayor\u2019s Office to Combat Domestic Violence to the first New York City Public Advocate\u2019s Office. <\/p>\n
Selvena was initiated into the Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and graduated from Wilberforce University, the first privately owned and operated HBCU. She also holds a M.S. in International Law from New York University. Selvena is a homeowner in Rockaway Beach with her family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers represents the 31st City Council District, which includes the communities of Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, and Far Rockaway. She serves as the Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice and is directly responsible for the oversight of the closure of Rikers Island and transition to Borough-based jails. Selvena was the first-ever Black woman to serve as the City Council’s Majority Whip and the first Chair to lead the newly formed Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.<\/p>\n
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