Written by: Asar John
“As election season in New York City ramps up, BK Reader sat down with two fresh-faced candidates in the City Council race in District 41, which spans across eastern Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Ocean Hill and Brownsville.
Candidates Dante Arnwine and Jamell Henderson divulged their visions for the district, focusing on hot button items including youth engagement, government transparency and equitable development. Incumbent Darlene Mealy did not respond to multiple requests for an interview.
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Jamell Henderson
Jamell Henderson wears many hats—he is the regional chair at the nonprofit Citizen Action of New York, a doctoral candidate at the College of Staten Island and a Community Board 8 committee member—none of which has stopped him from running for City Council.
“God would never give me more than I can’t handle,” said Henderson, who spoke to BK Reader about his City Council run that is rooted in “authentic leadership.”
Henderson, who grew up partially in foster care and with civic-minded parents in East Flatbush, said these combined experiences are the pillar for his platform, which includes getting more youth involved in political and civic spaces.
“I want them to be at the key decision making tables, knowing that I have their back,” said Henderson.
It starts with encouraging young Brooklynites to attend local community board meetings and to identify and talk about their issues within the community.
“Imagine coming to a monthly or quarterly board meeting and have the youth present legislation,” said Henderson. “From your own voice, give me three or four pieces of legislation, and I want you to back it up with academic evidence, and we present this together. It’s clear cut and can’t be denied.”
Given a Council seat victory, Henderson said he hopes to fill gaps he sees in representation of all communities within the district, and take advantage of city-owned land to build affordable housing. He said he welcomes working with developers who are willing to build adequate housing that matches the district’s needs.
“Ok, you want to bring market rate? Cool, but some of those market rates have to be Section 8 available,” said Henderson. “Because for a long time we’ve been creating a win-lose. Yeah you’re building housing, but my people lose. Not anymore.”
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