Albert Vann

Albert Vann (born November 19, 1934) was a member of the New York City Council from Brooklyn representing the 36th Council District, which includes parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights.[1] He is a Democrat.

Biography

He was born on November 19, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York City.[2] He earned a BBA from Toledo University, and master's degrees from both Yeshiva University, and Long Island University. He has served in different capacities as a teacher and administrator in New York public schools over the course of his professional career.

Vann was a member of the New York State Assembly (56th D.) from 1975 to 2001, sitting in the 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th, 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd and 194th New York State Legislatures.

Vann exchanged seats with Annette Robinson after the New York City Council enacted a term limit.[3] Vann was elected to the New York City Council in November 2001, and Ex-City Councilwoman Robinson was elected to the State Assembly in 2002 to fill the vacancy. Both represented the 36th City Council District, and Vann remained in the City Council until 2013.

He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

He is one of the founders of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, and is also one of the founders of the African American Teachers Association. Vann is a former instructor at Vassar College's Urban Center for Black Studies.[4]

In the November 3, 2009 election Vann was challenged by Mark Winston Griffith (Drum Major Institute executive director), who ran on the Working Families Party ballot line.[5] Vann defeated Griffith and went on to serve until 2013, when term limits prevented him from seeking re-election. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Robert Cornegy, Jr. on January 1, 2014.

Response To Sean Bell Shooting

In response to the death of Sean Bell - apparently from the guns of NYPD officers - Albert Vann alleged that his shooting was caused by "institutional racism." He then proceeded to mock the suggestion that African-American New Yorkers living in high-crime neighborhoods should adopt certain behaviors in order to avoid confrontations with police officers.

Term-Limit extension

On October 23, 2009[6] Vann voted to extend term limits for the mayor and the City Council.[7]

References

  1. Council Member- District: 36 Albert Vann- Democrat
  2. New York Red Book (1985–1986; pg. 287)
  3. Jostling for Position Starts Early in Race for Council Speaker in the New York Times on April 25, 2000 (pg. 2)
  4. http://council.nyc.gov/d36/html/members/home.shtml
  5. Kareem Fahim, "Once a Young Turk, Now Challenged by One" "New York Times," November 1, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/nyregion/02vann.html
  6. "Hello, Mayor Bloombergforever: City Council Votes to Pass Term Limits Extension, 29-22" http://gothamist.com/2008/10/23/city_council_votes_to.php
  7. "Mark Winston Griffith Wins Key Last Minute Endorsements, of Rev. Sharpton and NY Daily News" September 14, 2009 http://www.brooklynron.com/2009/09/mark-winston-griffith-wins-key-last-minute-endorsements-of-rev-sharpton-and-ny-daily-news.html

External links

New York Assembly
Preceded by
Calvin Williams
New York State Assembly
56th District

1975–2001
Succeeded by
Annette Robinson
New York City Council
Preceded by
Annette Robinson
New York City Council
36th District

2002–2013
Succeeded by
Robert Cornegy, Jr.
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