As a lifelong Greenpoint resident, I want to give back to the community and borough that I love by working alongside residents of Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and Clinton Hill to meet the challenges that face our communities while fighting for an engaging, accountable Democratic Party in Brooklyn.
I was born and raised in Greenpoint by my mom, a public school teacher and community advocate, and my dad, an ironworker with Local 361 who fled communist Bulgaria in search of better opportunities. I grew up going to park clean up days and rallies against a proposed power plant, learning from a young age the power that can be found in an organized and tight knit community.
I attended local schools up until high school when I made a leap across the river to the Professional Performing Arts School. When I was 12 I took up competitive amateur boxing, leading me on an eight year journey, in which I twice competed in the Daily News Golden Gloves. I found comfort in the discipline and camaraderie with my coaches and fellow fighters. At Gleason’s Gym, I learned the meaning of heart, passion, and persistence.
Experiences and relationships that I made along this journey exposed me to the trauma that deep inequities inflict on residents of our city. I knew I couldn’t stand idly by and chose to pursue a career in public service. I started down this path during my time at Baruch College, earning a degree in political science, while completing internships at the international, federal, and state levels. During my senior year, I assisted in the creation of Rise Youth Athletics, a non-profit organization that mentors inner-city youth through physical activity.
After graduating, I had the opportunity to begin working for Council Member Antonio Reynoso where I have been able to put my values into practice. I’ve had the privilege to be part of initiatives that will cap the amount of waste sent to overburdened districts like North Brooklyn, protect the industrial sector that has provided our community with good jobs, and push for more sustainable planning and development practices for our City. I’m incredibly proud of this work and the tangible impacts it has for my neighbors and the City at large.
I’m excited to bring my passion for public service, strong work ethic, and sense of justice to the role of District Leader; I will fight to amplify the voices of residents as we push to address the challenges facing our communities and work to make our county’s Democratic Party responsive to all residents.
From the successful fight against the creation of a power plant, to the ongoing quest for environmental justice after the Exxon oil spill, our community knows how to fight, and we know how to win. It’s time for a District Leader who is present and ready to collaborate with residents to address the issues affecting residents in the 50th assembly district.
Brooklynites deserve a Democratic Party that is transparent, engaged and accountable. This work begins in ensuring that District 50 residents have access and inclusion in our County’s Democratic Committee. Then, through partnerships with other like-minded District Leaders & residents, this work will continue until these values reach every corner of Brooklyn.
